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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  very satisfied-on #4 - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By mandoman - March 9 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my 4th Astro van, starting back in 1986.They are super reliable and just the right size for both doing an antique buss. or family use. A very rugged vehicle with good towing cap. All have had over 200k mi. on them. My 96 has 260k on it and still going strong.

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  Love the car! - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By AmBeR - March 9 - 2:00 am

  A 1996 Z28 Hatchback Camaro is a great car! The car hugs the curves so your back end doesnt drift. It just really makes you feel like youre in control.

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  Great Vehicle, But........... - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By dadrab - March 9 - 2:00 am

  My Chevy Tahoe has been a good experience with a few exceptions: 1)Reline brakes & turn rotors every 22,000 mile 2)Rebuild Transmission @ 97,000 3)2 alternators 4)replace mainifold gasket 5)Multiple leaks around windows & doors

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  My Little Red Corvette - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Katrina Boss - March 9 - 2:00 am

  This is my love. The energy from this car is extreme. I do not have to drive it over the speed limit to know what it can do. What a "rush" when you push the power. You feel it! I love to drive it on a curvy road, because it hugs the curves like no other car. When I drove it to Kansas City, I averaged 26.7 miles per gallon. The interior fits like a glove everything is at your fingertips. Its a beautiful car. I have had it almost three years and have not had any mechanical issues with it.

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  Z71 Suburban - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Carek - March 9 - 2:00 am

  Numerous mechanical problems that should not be present in a vehicle of this price or age. Not the first Chevrolet but maybe the last I own. Dealer support for these problems not very good at all.

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  600 Mile Review - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Seacove - March 8 - 8:16 pm

  Purchased 10/31 and just hit 600 miles this week. Had a Sable wagon, and after discovering that you cant find a 8 passenger vehicle other than minivans or SUVs, went with the 5 passenger Maxx as a compromise on mileage and passenger/storage versatility. I liked the look of the Maxx first time I saw one on the road (and cars dont usually turn my head), and finally figured out last week that the reason is the styling is somewhat reminiscient of my 1980 Fiesta Sport - one of the best cars I ever owned. I put off buying one until the 2005 model, due to the obvious need for spoiler and rear wiper on hatchback models. This is my 2nd ever GM vehicle (Avalanche in 03), and both are winners!

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  Prizm is a GREAT car! - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By TheHeat - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I really cant say enough about this car. Ive owned Hondas, Nissans, a Mazda, and many other foreign and domestic autos and this is absolutely in the top three, heck it may be number 1 overall! Just an awesome, reliable and economical Corolla clone. Think Ill keep it for a LONG time!

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  3.1 and Intake Fun - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By poolboy - March 8 - 2:00 am

  70,000 miles and the Intake Manifold fails. I work in the automotive aftermarket. Now that I have had this issue, I cant hear enough about what a piece of junk this 3.1 is. Mechanics said they see this problem all the time with the 3.1. Most leaks leak out. Mine leaked in. A gallon of antifreeze in a crank case is never a good thing. Loved the car, hate the engine. You would have thought GM would have said something about the chronic problem. A new manifold isnt that much to replace....a new engine is.

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  cav - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By tkj81 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  only problem i ever had was with a soliniod valve in the trans, cheap fix but a pain to install

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  Been great for me! - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By GhostTX - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in 1996, V6-3.8L. Have logged 156K miles on it so far. Its been a great car. Typcial wear and tear on it (water pump, power steering pump, a/c compressor so far). Rear axle had to be replaced at 70K as it had some bad bearings. Something other buyers may want to look at. Solid car though, and Ive been happy to own it.