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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  chevrolet truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Greg Brooks - July 17 - 2:00 am

  At 1000 miles door handles broke.16000 Miles fuel pump went out and the front oil seal.18000 miles brake problems.Very unhappy with the chevrolet s10

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  Z-28 - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Valerie - July 17 - 2:00 am

  From the day the vehicle was purchased back in 1997 untill today 2003 we did not have any problems. If the regular oil changes and yearly check ups and brakes replacement dont count the car was never in the repair shop. One of the best vehicles we ever purchased. Still drives as the brand new.

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  Number Two and Would do it Again - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By cjfanning - July 17 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I lived in Alaska for many years. We found the Tracker to be a great ride on the snow, ice, dirt roads. This little Chevy is one of the best all around 4X4s I have ever had in the snow.

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  ZR2 - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Sugarmama161799 - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Alot of problems....I have been in and out of the shop for things breaking....tailights have gone out twice....Ride is very rough and gas is not the greatest...but my service dept. has been great...they get me in and out and always fix the problem the first time no questions asked and no hassles...Thank goodness they are there.

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  So Far So Good - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By shawn - July 17 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car a year ago and it had 23,000 miles and we now have 35,000 on it. I and my wife love the car. In fact Im talking about buying a larger car for my wife just so I can drive it every day. Extremely comfortable and sporty. Had the breaks and suspension checked a week ago and was told they are in excellent condition. Couldnt have asked for a better car considering the Buick we last had. Took the Malibu on a 1,400 mile road trip?Perfect

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  mali - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jennayLp - July 17 - 2:00 am

  My car is a good car, however I believe that it looks nicer than it really is. I havent had it long and already a belt is squealing. It also isnt very fuel efficent. With gas prices going up, how am i supposed to afford it?

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  GM should listen - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Roberto - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Had an 86 Blazer for 14 years and was great. This one is a major disappointment. Can relate to many of the problems expressed here including replaced multifunction switch, oil lines, idler arm/tie rod joints, torsion bars causing vehicle to lean, engine pings, A/C leaks, air bag light comes on intermittently, rear hatch leaks, etc.

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  best car yet - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By BJone23 - July 17 - 2:00 am

  i love this car. im actually thinking about purchasing another car, but i dont think that i would get rid of my chevy even if i went and got another.

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  My vacation - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By jayb - July 17 - 2:00 am

  My first Venture was a lemon being towed three times in one week. The last time being the Friday I was leaving for Vacation. My plans where to go to Florida with my grandchildren and spending the day in a dealer ship (Meisner)was not my idea of a good start. After getting a lawyer and GM buying that one we really liked the van so we went to a different dealership and purchase our new one. We have not had any problems with this one and its great when you have 5 grandchildren.

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  Fun to drive! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Douglas - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Very dependable. Cant wait to see the new style this year!