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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  Id make a few changes - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By Melissa - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Astro with 15,000 miles on it. It has run well, although Chevy has had a prpoblem with the drive train clunking for 9 years and hasnt fixed the problem yet. I dont like the fact that you can choose to recirculate the air. Also If the fan is blowing on head and feet at the same time it autmatically uses the AC. I never could get the heater to heat my feet and not my face. The resale value is a joke. But I do like the power and being able to take the seats out for hauling things. Overall Ive been just satisfied, not overjoyed and not completely unhappy.

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  there crazy, we aint stupid. - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By N. B. Doyle - January 18 - 2:00 am

  She might look good be it doesnt cut it. Its not a rock its a pebble. GM should take this toy and work it on the farm and on gravel roads before they talk. Its a sad day when you have to go and get a tractor to pull it. back end to light, poor electronics, poor design over all, they sould go back to the board on this one, water leaks, poor steering, poor warranty work, three weeks the repair shop was enough to leave it there period. GM ought to be paying you to advertize. thats the only change.

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  good at first but watch out - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By AshMcG - January 17 - 2:00 am

  My cavalier is cute and zoomy, and fun to drive if youre not looking for major speed...I really enjoyed it for awhile. However, I took this car over its 100,000 mile point, and no sooner than I did that than EVERYTHING went to hell. I got the 100,000 mile tune- up like youre supposed to, but now that car causes me nothing but tears...I am afraid to drive it half the time because it may break down or anything! It used to be totally reliable but now... I recommend this car as like a first car for teenagers, but toss it before it gets too high in mileage, the enginge does not take it well.

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  ehhh - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By darreng707 - January 14 - 1:29 pm

  i have had this truck for around 1.5 years put on about 25,000 miles and it just is cheaply made the wobble in the front end large turning radius for a short truck the cd player was crap the latch broke on the tailgate,center console, have had the parking brake fixed by gm 6 times ive never driven with it on ac is weak check engine light comes on randomly fuel pumps @ 149xxx, speakers are blown and falling out of their holes, burns oil but dosent leak it, super light in the back end my boat drug it down a dry launch ramp with parking brake on boat (6400) lbs and very narrow interior im about 61" and 265 and the seats are narrow and uncomfortable any long drives require frequent rest stops.

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  Its an ok car - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By mellowc - January 13 - 11:06 am

  Looks unique, but has no guts in it. The 3.4 L model will get you from a to b, but this engine will certainly not win you any races. Nice front seat, but cheap parts have cost me some money. Engine also blew a head gasket, which this engine is known to do; $700. I was looking for a car with some get up and go, this is not it. Its an ok car, but leaves you wanting more.

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  never again - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Stuckwithit - January 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck brand new in 95 and have had nothing but problems since. At 1,500 miles the fan clutch broke. The Manual trans. clutch laid over and died at 2,500 miles. Now 2 transmission jobs, A few U-joints, several hundred dollars worth of A/C repairs, 1 broken timing chain, and a total engine rebuild later, I am fed up with this underpowed piece of crap. I will never buy another S-10.

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  Not Bad for Two Grand - 1995 Chevrolet Corsica
  By BDC - January 12 - 2:00 am

  In 2000 I bought this as a sales car with 78,000 on it, now has 113,000 miles on it. Have only had to do front brakes, and replace battery. Some Folks on here have had problems with alternators, and I think mine is going as I notice the headlights flucuate as I drive on the highway. Engine is the 4 banger and is VERY DOGGIE with the A/C on. Look for the V-6 Engine. I get 24- 28 MPG. The A/C & Heater works great. Burns less than a 1/4 qrt. of oil between 4,500 Mi.changes. Paint was pelling a little when I got it, now the hood is peeling quite a bit. The Color is WHITE. AVOID HIGH PRESSURE CAR WASHERS OR LOSE WHATS LEFT!!!! Great little car for the $.

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  built to light - 1990 Chevrolet Caprice
  By KenT - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Alternator went out. 117.00 for the part, excessive, and this was discount. I discovered it was the third time the alternator went out on the car with recipts. 68000 orig. miles. Everything inside seemed too lightweight. the arm rest was breaking when someone sat in the middle, power window buttons came off, heater buttons and of course the headliner. Body took dings too easy and the seats were uncomfortable. Radio was killer to change and unreliable.

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  Total Rear End Collision - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By crash dummy - January 11 - 2:00 am

  We loved our Chevy Venture EXT. van..that is until we were hit in a rear end collision!!! What should have been minor damage, totaled our van and caused injury to our family. The body shop man expressed to me, knowing we would be in the market for a new vehicle, DONT BUY A VENTURE!!! He has more Ventures in for minor repairs that turn out to be major headaches for the owners. I have spoke to some other Body shops and have been told the same thing. Our van died of its injuries, that is ok..I just dont want anyone to die of their injuries from a collision in the Venture.

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  Love It But Will It Start? - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By rlematta - January 10 - 2:00 am

  I went from a 90 Vette to the V6 coupe with t-tops, power everything. I didnt choose the dual exhaust option with tighter steering for only a couple hundred, I recommed that. The car has not started 5 times in 3 years, 2 new batteries, new neg terminal(s), still has problems. But when it works it is nice.