Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  SSR - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By BrenGardner - April 4 - 3:00 am

  Tonneau remains a problem. It wont open all the way when activated, and a latch came apart on one side - separate issues. The glove compartment adjustment required two visits to adjust. Dealer doesnt seem to know much about the vehicle.

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  Going to Tokyo - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By joelicanoli - April 4 - 3:00 am

  Problems..First with the crunching noise coming from the steering wheel when turning corner. Next problem was the security system would act up every once in a while and would not let me start the car. Then, I started encountering problems with the turn signals....only works when they want to. Recently, I noticed it was hard to start, idled roughly, and was loosing coolant. I took it into Meineke and they said it might be the head gasket. Also, they showed me there was a hole in the air intake screen which I guess was making it hard to start and the rough idle problem. Now my car is sitting outside my apartment and I cant even get it started at all.

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  Great Car from point A to point B - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Der5kss - April 4 - 3:00 am

  If youre looking for a quality car to get you there and back, look no further. The standard Lumina with a 3.1 L engine and decent fuel economy (28 mpg highway) is a reliable, conservative car. It is not sporty and it is not an exciting car to drive, but my 1997 Lumina has never failed me. It gets from one place to another with no problems, the power is decent (but a more powerful 3.4L and 3.8L engine can be found on other cars of this model), and it is comfortable enough for a family of 4 or 5. If you buy a Chevrolet Lumina as a family or business car you will be satisfied with the low-maitenance relationship and you will not regret this investment.

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  Fun and Cheap - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By Kaxe - April 4 - 3:00 am

  First Crew Cab for me but 4th S-10. I really like the ride and drive of this truck. I am sorry to see it go away.

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  2004 Chevy S-10Crew - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By jiminpa2k4@yahoo.com - April 4 - 3:00 am

  The price was the determiming factor. The new Colorados are too expensive. Ill buy a Ford F-150 Crew cab before I pay that much for a Colorado/Canyon.

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  Reliability Problems - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TahoeTrannyFailed - April 4 - 3:00 am

  This truck has reliability problems of certain components. Steering sensors have failed twice, fuel pump once $900, transmission $3500. This truck has 75000 miles on it and never pulled a trailer, nor been used off road. Fuel pump and transmission will fail without warning and leave you on the side of the road. Steering sensors cause the truck to turn off the road or into the oncoming lane, but atleast you can get back to town to the shop. I paid 1997 prices and received 1977 reliability. If buying one be sure to get an extended warranty and a cell phone to call tow truck when it breaks down on the road.

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  1998 Corvette Coupe - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By NYgeorge - April 4 - 3:00 am

  Excellent performance and still good fuel economy. Ride is considerably good for a true sports car. Removeable top is nice and still has adequate luggae storage for road trips. Best feature is the Corvette family and wave :)

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  Not impressed - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Wallywobble - April 4 - 3:00 am

  During the course of 3 years, I put 60k miles on this car. In that period I replaced the battery, brought it in twice for a fuel level indicator recall,had to reprogram the BCM, replaced the tires, replaced the front brakes 3 times, including rotors, pads and calipers replaced all rear light bulbs. Before I sold it, the right front wheel bearing, differential and flasher units were all failing, and there was a leak in the right rear lens cover. An absolute lemon of a car, with abysmal resale value, terrible customer support from the manufacturer and a bigger waste of money than most cars Ive owned. I strongly caution buyers against this car.

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  Dependable Car - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jaun - April 3 - 2:00 am

  After 195,000 miles in 4 years this car still rides like new. The Impala is the most dependable car I have ever owned. Normal Maintenance and it keeps on going.

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  SSR - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By john krelow - April 2 - 2:00 am

  EXCELENT HANDLING, GREAT HORSE POWER, VANTASTIC LOOKS--A REAL EYE-CATCHER. GOOD SOUND SYSTEM, VERY COMFORTABLE AND A UNIQUE SOUNDING DEEP HORSEPOWERD RUMBLE.