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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  Great Car - 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
  By Anika Wilson - December 30 - 7:47 pm

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  Love this car - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Lenny Krygier - December 30 - 2:16 pm

  This is my third Camaro, had the other 2 for 8 years each. This is a reliable car and fun to drive at rhe same time.

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  Really Enjoy It - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mad Bavarian - December 30 - 11:40 am

  Rides like a dream. On a recent long trip got 21-22 mpg. Great in rain and especially snow. Good sound system. Winds out well - sounds good. No complaints after 3600 miles. Would like to have the LTZ but with ext cab and long bed it was a lucky find. Great for toys, am looking forward to towing boat. Love the XM and Onstar.

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  Perfect for me - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Indiana - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I just got my truck about a month ago. I love it so far. The truck feels solid, rides nice, and looks good to. Gas milage has been respectable for a truck, about 22 miles to the gallon. The seats are comfy and my 7 year old loves the jumper seat in the back. The truck dont sit to high for a kid to need lifted in and out either. I opted for the four cylinder and I dont regret it. Its got all the pep I need and wont dent my wallet at the pump. So far im very pleased and will keep you posted if I find any problems.

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  gtg - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By shellyjarv - December 30 - 2:00 am

  no power but very reliable

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  Chevys S-10 is the perfect truck !! - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By chitownrepoman - December 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my second S-10 and if they were still making them after this year I would buy another one. No problems out of my old one (1997 w/ 70,000) and none out of this one. The 4x4 is great, the motor will pull down a house, and the locking rear end rocks.

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  Bad Design on Intake Manifold Gaskets - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Manifold Gasket Flaw - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Yeah, I too have been taken to the dealership cleaners on the Intake Manifold gaskets. At 51,000 miles, a "new" kit was required. Very expensive for such low mileage. GM should reimburse at least part of the cost. I am not a satisfied GM person now. Will not buy another Venture or GM van in general.

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  Nickels and Dimes - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By JustSayNoToChevy - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought this rolling nightmare six short months ago, from CarMax, where they have the 160 point evaluation . . .hmmm . . . they dont keep records of them, by the way . . . This thing has been in the shop at least once a month since Ive owned it, and every time I get it back, I am just waiting for the next problem. The interior trim is a joke - I am amazed that the engineers at Chevy could get away with such a poor design. This thing is truly a joke. Thanks to this thing, I will never, ever buy a domestic car again, nor will I ever buy from CarMax again.

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  A nifty vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Ragingwolf51 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Since I got this vehicle I have loved it and have treated it with tremendous care. The 4.3L MFI V6 has a lot of power on tap, and the overdrive kicks in at just the right time to save me some gas money. It is a great highway cruiser, and the exhaust note is great. There are tons of aftermarket parts for this vehicle. I have installed a Flowmaster 40 Series Delta Flow exhaust system, and it sounds great with the already good exhaust not of the 4.3.

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  I love my Malibu - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jacksobm - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my Malibu for 5 months but I love it! I have never had any problems with it. The brakes had to be replaced but the dealer did that since it was still under warranty. Other than that it has be a wonderful car!