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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  Good Car - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By w_b_l - August 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the car new. Overall, it has been a good car. There were a few problems at the beginning (CD-Player, Visor and glovebox alignment), but these were resolved quickly by the dealer as car was still under warranty. Only complaint is that brake repairs are expensive on this car (though I have had it for 4 yrs and put a lot of miles on so I had to do the brakes 3 times. At around 60k miles I needed the belt tensionor replaced. Service costs over 4 years were ~ $1k (oil changes not included). I think this car is a good value.

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  One Awesome Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dave Man - August 23 - 2:46 am

  This truck is the best truck I have ever owned, my 4th of the GM full size family. Its a Z71 with 151,000 on it now and have no problems at all since I bought it in 05 with 70,000 on it been camping to remote destinations, driven on trails, and even hauled several pallets of sod in the bed. Its extremely comfortable and rides like a car. Have made many comfortable trips with the family in it and no complaints at all. Never broken down only have changed the battery once by choice with an Optima yellow top. Only cost is oil, wipers and 3 sets of tires. This truck it truly built like a rock and takes the abuse of 2 boys 3 dirt bikes and many off road outings to have fun.

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  Good truck. Bad transmission. - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By Greg Robinson - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this truck since 1995. I bought it with 55,000 miles and it has been a good one except at 115000 miles first gear went out and I got the transmision rebuilt and in two months second gear went out under warrenty and cost me nothing. I think it was a factory defect in the transmision.

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  Please Recall for Brakes/ABS and A/C - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Please Recall - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I brought this car new for my wife in 1998 with V6. So far (at 103,000 miles) the engine has performed well. There are a few problems with this car: A/C switch, ABS, front brakes, alternator, squeaky noise. If not for these problems I would recommmend it. This is my second American made car and I am a little scare to buy another one.

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  ONE MONTH REVIEW - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By VANDERHEY - August 23 - 2:00 am

  TRADING IN A 1998 TRACKER WITH ONLY A 1.6L ENGINE, THIS CAR HAS MORE PEP BUT LESS GAS MILAGE, THE CARS RIDE IS BETTER AND LESS TRUCK LIKE.

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  LOVING my 1st SUV, my Chevy Blazer - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By paratrooperwife - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I love it...great in every way...hope that auto makers continue to improve miles per gallon...Ill never go back to Ford again - Chevy is awesome! Deb G., White Marsh, Maryland

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  2000 Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Reddog002 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  This Blazer is very economical, it uses gas only when the air is running or is in 4 wheel drive. It rides fairly well. The only problem I have had is with the front in alinement. Has been very reliable.

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  very fond of the blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By irisheyes - August 23 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car when we moved to Colorado and we have had an awful lot of fun with it. Really really tough and reliable in the snow. Always felt safe in bad conditions in city and country. Like a rock. No trouble with baby seats and so on, it was good when the kids were really little for all their stuff in the back. We did some very long trips in it and it never let us down. Since it got old the handling has gotten very squishy but the car is still solid enough. We will be sad to say goodbye.

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  I like it !!!!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Josandi - August 23 - 2:00 am

  i just bought this car with only 7 miles on it (12/31/02)(date bought) today (1/2/02) and i put 190 miles all with the same tank of gas that the dalear filled up with and its just below the 1/2 tank mark,,great car i love it,,i say to all get a cavalier

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  Gm Junk - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By western6 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  GM junk, 800 miles two injections ports go, cab lights leaked, dash rattled, drive shaft replaced, engine knock, oil consumption, 4x4 switch bad, rear springs sag, front driver side sag. sold it and bought a Dodge cummings.