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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  Sturdy & Comfortable Ride - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By MambaJack - February 14 - 2:00 am

  This is just about the most comfortable driving sedan that I have owned. As an industrial salesman, Im used to long stretches on the road and after long hauls in the Impala I feel far less fatigue and muscle pain. The car handles tightly and worls well in wet weather with low road noise.

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  Beware of Suburban engines! - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By HubbyMan - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 99 1500 4WD a year ago used. It has 83,000 miles now and the mechanic just told us it needs a BRAND NEW ENGINE for $2,000! Both head gaskets are shot because they are made of plastic in the Suburban engines. Our mechanic has seen this problem before with them. Hes seen some die at under 50,000 miles! All late model Suburban engines use the plastic head gaskets according to him. BEWARE of Suburban engines!

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  It rules the ROAD - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Superman01992 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I only need to say about four words to describe it: IT RULES THE ROAD!!!

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  Good car, little maintenance - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By revjmike - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Chevy Malibu as a pre-owned vehicle with 33,000 miles on it already. I now have put just under 100,000 miles on it giving it a total of 129,000 miles. It continues to handle extremely well, even though I have not replaced struts or shocks. The engine still has plenty of zip and my only significant repair has been tensioner replacement. Quite frankly I am astonished at the quality of this vehicle. This is one of the few cars I have owned where I have never doubted whether I made the right choice or not

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  not necessarily the best yet - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By [purvis - February 13 - 2:00 am

  So far. 1 transmission, 1 door hinge kit, 3 interior air vents. 2 seat recliner rods,1 fuel sending unit. Still counting. This is a lot for a vehicle that is very well taken care of. Firm believer that chevy could have done a much better job on many items. But as a pet peeve why does chevy continue to use the plastic bushings in the door hinges? They never last. The replacements are brass. Why not start there to begin with?

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  2.4 SS Excellent - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By SSport - February 12 - 9:16 pm

  I would recommend this car to anyone. Its a little car with a big heart. Minor problems here and there, but to be expected in a brand new car! I love it and plan to love it for many years to come!

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  Monte Carlo SS - 2001 - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Leopold - February 12 - 11:26 am

  This car has been underrated on fuel economy and performance. We have averaged 29 MPG (not just highway) since owning it. It is a beautiful car and had good pick up considering it is a V6. The original tires we had were noisy, and since changing them at 60,000 miles to a style with that in mind, this one drawback has been greatly improved.

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  Super Car - 1992 Chevrolet Lumina
  By tar rat - February 12 - 2:00 am

  This thing wont die. It now has 174,000 miles and runs great. The few negatives are the ABS, which quit working at about 50,000 miles, and the placement of the battery. At 12 years old, the car just now starting to show a little rust.

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  The Best - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By hggirlly - February 12 - 2:00 am

  Awesome car, kills the Mustang (even the GT) every time!!!

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  Dont keep after 50,000 miles - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Irishsz23 - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in October of 2000, and have little problems. Ever since I got to 50,000 I have had nothing but problems. Oil Lines cracked, Power steering line cracked, Serpintine belt replaced twice, oil rings replaced, and now having problems with 4WD. It has been nothing but trouble lately. My advice keep for 3 years then look for something else.