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 - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By CHEVY HEAD - August 31 - 11:53 am

  Bought this car about a year ago and I still love it! Drives like a car costing thousands more. In these crippling times people need value in their used car purchases. Monte Carlo offers that. Unique styling in an never ending sea of cookie cutter Japanese junk. GM never should have stopped making them!

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  Loving my First car - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Wbcheerguy - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Im a high school student, this car (2dr std coupe) 5-speed manual, is a great first car and is ideal for a teen like me, the car uses very little gas, can be customized easily, and reliable, i wouldnt trade my car in for anything. the car is priced low enought for a working teen to afford and the car is easy to service for regular care.

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  2000 S10 - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By DOOWRAH - August 31 - 2:00 am

  I have only owned this truck for about three months. The truck had 44000 miles when I bought it and I have had to replace many "expensive" parts. Guess GM doesnt build to last. Also the real kicker is this truck has the 4L60E automatic transmission which is total JUNK! It needs to be rebuilt and after doing research on this trans I find that GM has known abouth this problem since 1996 but has failed to improve the design if this trans. So at or about 40000 to 60000 miles you can plan on rebuilding this junk transmission. Guess I would be happier if I didnt have to look forward to paying 1800.00 for a trans rebulid. Start saveing OR BUY A STICK SHIFT.

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  SUBURBAN - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By FREDERICK - August 31 - 2:00 am

  THE SUBURBAN IS THE BEST VEHICLE IVE EVER OWNED I CANT WAIT TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO GET A NEW ONE

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  Run Away!!!!!!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Stay away !!!!!! - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Stay away from this one!!!!!! What is the deal with the squeak up front when driving over 35 mph? The AC switch has been replaced twice ($300/ea). The drivers side auto window will not work (Ive had this repaired twice and need to again, but at $350 a pop, who can afford it again?) Struts replaced at 60K miles $500 one month after I paid the car off, Brakes replaced twice. I currently need a whole new ABS system and will need a new steering column soon! I just hope I can get rid of it without having to pay someone to take it!

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  Relatively happy with the vehicle. - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By HowardBl - August 31 - 2:00 am

  All in all, Ive had this vehicle since late 1997, and havent had too much grief with it... It goes through an idler arm every 20K miles (Im going on #5), but thats to be expected when you get a car ride on a truck frame. Had to replace a master cylinder and torn seat leather under warranty. After warranty needed new brake booster (a pain to install, but did myself) for $200, $30 belt tensioner, new shocks all around, rotors only once and eventually will need a new fuel sending unit. Really cant complain... gave me lots of dependable service including some off- road and emergency responses.

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  2002 WB AWD Venture - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By PLH - August 31 - 2:00 am

  No problems yet. Did better than our then brand new 97 Grand Voyager. Chevy did a great job marketing this 8-seater as an excellent kiddie transporter, with the Warner Bros. bells and whistles. My kids love the van and the DVD. Overall though, a great buy.

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  2000 S-10 Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jim Wasoka - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Compared to my previous Ford Explorer and Broncho II, this vehicle handles better and has more power. The interior roominess and overall size is excellent for a family of 4 to take long trips. I would recommend it to anyone needing 4 wheel drive and seating for 5 who doesnt want to get into a minivan.

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  Better than I thought - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Fern - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I waited 30 years before buying my first vette and happy I chose the 50th 2003 Z06. It is an awesome machine both feel and sound. It is the best vehicle I have owned.

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  03 Chev Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Kelly Labe - August 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my forth Tahoe...every two years I get a new one and i will never switch! They drive great, have lots of room, and are very luxurious. They really go through gas, but it is worth it!