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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  Problems keep appearing... - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By KingTofu - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Well, Ive changed my mind on this vehicle. Im now at 140,000 miles and Ive had to replace another fuel injector which cost another $300. The mechanic said that the 4 other injectors will probably short out in a year or so. Great. Also, I just had to pay $150 to get my left turn signal fixed. I havnt been impressed with the build quality. Cheap materials are used throughout the whole car. I cant recomend this vehicle, Im getting rid of it as soon as I can.

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  Grandma car but very functional - 1993 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Stevenator - July 25 - 2:00 am

  We bought it one year old from a rental company. It has some wind noise that I never could solve. Radiator hose was routed poorly causing it to wear through, finally added my own cover. Goes through brakes like crazy. We have the 3.1 V6 auto, it has locking torque converter and gets honest 30MPG on the hiway. Great little engine. Reliable until recently. After 10 years, have replaced alternator, torque lock switch, intake manifold gaskets (for oil leaks), 3 fuel pumps and counting. AC finally gave out.

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  WOW ! Great quality almost 12 years !!! - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Ted Leonardi - July 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this 1992 beauty 6 months / 8000 miles ago, at 17000 original miles after 10 year storage in Indianapolis... drove home to Vancouver, Washington via El Paso and San Diego... 4000 miles in 13 days... Got 30.1 mpg and didnt use a drop of oil... Now at 25000 miles and 12 years of age, car is flawless, with a history of zero repairs to date, still on original spark plugs, dry oil pan bottoms (no drip or leaks), not even a rattle... every-day driver, averaging 22.3 mpg around town with perfect performance from the 300 hp LT-1 5.7 liter, 6-speed manual, 3.45 axle drivetrain... "Hats Off" to the Bowling Green contingent of General Motors!!!

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  DONT BUY CHEVROLET - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By JETAMIS - July 25 - 2:00 am

  tHE POOREST FIT AND FISISH I HAVE EVER SEEN ON AN AUTOMOBILE. POOR BRAKES...HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 12000 MILES, POOR ENGINE IDLE...YOU NAME IT THIS CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT. THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT/WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH ENGINE IDLE.

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  Best truck Ive had - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Adolfo - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive had trucks before, but the Avalanche jus tops them all. It has a lot of room for the people in the front and even in the back, and I just love the confort of the ride. Is smooth, it seems like if im driving a Cadilac.

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  2003 Corvette Coupe - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Falcon2000 - July 25 - 2:00 am

  I have owned several corvettes through the years, and none compare to the C5. I have had more fun driving this vehicle than any other I have ever owned. The build quality is exceptional, and during the factory tour, I believe that the workers pride in what they build is exceptionally high. I have had no problems with the car to date, and it has been very comfortable to drive.

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  first vette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By bullizard - July 25 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fun car I have driven. You simply cannot compare the feeling of driving with the top down. The car has sufficient power to get away from less experienced drivers. If you have open road and are not to worried about getting pulled over, putting the peddle to the floor is quite exhilarating. Some of the interior components could use a more luxurious touch. However for the cost, the Corvette is the most powerful, best all around car on the market.

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  Great Car - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By cullenmb - July 25 - 2:00 am

  This is an awesome value in a sportscar. If you remember that you are getting a $100k sports car performance for under $50k you will never be dissatisfied. The cars lines are beautiful. The magna ride suspension is amazing, if you can get it. Amazing touring car. Couldnt be more fun to drive.

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  Great Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Alpha - July 25 - 2:00 am

  We love our Suburban. It is the perfect family vehicle. With four kids, the space is ideal. Weve made a number of long distance road trips and the ability to move 6 people with alot of luggage and gear is a real plus. I love the fact that I can fit a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood etc... in the rear cargo area. If your a weekend project person, this vehicle is ideal. All around its the most practical and comfortable vehicle in its class.

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  Disappointed - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By snotned - July 25 - 2:00 am

  I use my Chevy to puck up friends from the airport and to take trips to neighboring states. The dealership tells me that it is normal to burn 1 1/2 quarts of oil between oil changes (every 3500 miles) Chevy says it sent out letters saying this was normal.???