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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  S-10 SATISFIED - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By JAG7557 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  ALITTLE OVER PRICED FOR WHAT YOU GET.

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  Im going to Toyota - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JohnJ - April 10 - 2:00 am

  @ 5.5 yrs old (49k) the following has been replaced: 3 sets of brakes including rotors steering gear twice upper control arms twice rear sway bar bushings ABS rht front wheel speed sensor intake manifold gasket ignition wiring heater speed control. The cost of the repair of the intake manifold leak (allowing oil & antifreeze to mix) GM would not coverfor me yet for a friend of mine with the same problem on a 98 Venture they covered (both mine and his not under warranty and just a couple months apart). GM is very inconsistent with customer support.

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  going back 2 foreign - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By mr. marbles - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive been driving my 2000 Impala for 3 years now and Im less than satisfied. Ive had continuous problems with the Coolant-leaks and sensor related. In cold weather it often barely starts & sounds like its 10 yrs old instead of 3. Interior is cheap looking. It seems there is always a warning light coming on. Paid 7K less for my wifes Civic which ran for 8 years without any problems. GM has lost me. Im going back to Honda with my next car.

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  not too bad - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By thesaviorx6x6x6 - April 8 - 2:00 am

  this car is a sturdy, well-built chevy. If taken care of it will hardly ever let you down. Maintainance is very minimal. Though the manual transmission makes it fun to drive, it does lack in power. Sometimes acceleration feels very sluggish. Nevertheless it is a quality car

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  The Blazer from hell - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Laurie Lemon - April 4 - 2:00 am

  After 10000 miles had to replace the ball joints and the brakes. drivers door as rattled since day one: can not be repaired. At 30000 miles the pinion seal gasket leaked and was replaced only to have the rear pinion bearing go 30000 miles later. Windshield wiper modular board broke at 40K

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  Want a money pit? - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By mc - April 4 - 2:00 am

  New Right front wheel bearing - 55000km New brakes - 60000 km New transmission - 74 000km 4years NO power train warranty BUY JAPANESS NEVER NORTH AMERICAN AGAIN!!!

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  Lets see...... - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Blazerowner - April 2 - 2:00 am

  I now have 104,000 miles on my Blazer LT. I bought the veh. with 6,000 miles on it and have replaced every thing from wiper motors to fuel injectors. Just when you enjoy a period of peaceful motoring, something crops up! The suv is great in the snow and rides nice. Just wish it were not such a money pit. Would be hard pressed to buy another Blazer. Redesigned or not.

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  2018 Equinox - 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Lindamh - April 1 - 2:05 am

  Just bought a new Equinox 2.0 turbo. Drives well, good acceleration, comfortable. My complaint (with a learning curve here) is the back-up system and navigation. Navigation is limited to OnStar (subscription and no map) or your phone - Missing my VW navigation system. The back-up camera sound is low and the radio does not mute while backing up. I already hit a telephone pole because there was no warning I could hear and the learning curve - it was much closer than it looked. The Equinox is basically the same size as my VW Sportwagen except its on steroids - same seating capacity, same cargo space BUT it does have a lift gate , the seats are flat when down, and I appreciate the higher ground clearance. I just have 125 miles on it so far and will adapt to all this new technology.

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  reliable - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By kin - March 29 - 2:00 am

  I got this car from my grandma. It gets me where im going but lately weve been having problems. My bright lights wont work I have to get the wireing fixed, plus I have 2 kids and theres no room for anything else. plus my air conditioning doesnt work

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  Looks great but PIECE OF CRAP - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By horizon3 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  nothing but problems from the get go. Within the first 6 months i had the brakes, suspension, and upper console inside replaced. i had to replace...windshile wiper computer that was "fixed" 3 times....still is kinda wacky.... oil coller lines, passenger side seat adjustment lever snapped off twice...both wheel bearings had to be replaced...hmmmm $500 each side to fix, then theres the ball joints, differential leaks, front wheel bearings had to be done again... drivers side door sags had to be readjusted, heater works when it wants to. The 100,000 mile engine coolent gummed up at about 60,ooo miles