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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  Great Van - 2001 Chevrolet Astro
  By KE - June 18 - 2:00 am

  This Van is like a Tank Built tough AWD is excelent in bad weather I drive this van with confidence knowing I will get to my destination I have an LT with 7 pass seating great set up exept pass seat no leg room

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  passes everthing but a gas station - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By wiscasset - June 18 - 2:00 am

  so far this truck is great, gas consumption is poor 11-13mpg highway or city. lots of power and room for what ever you want. i live in maine and winter driving is very safe with this heavy suv

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  Not exciting, but reliable - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By yeti - June 18 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Cavelier, bought new in 1997. For both of them, the engines held up extrememly well as I piled on the miles, but they were not particularly exciting to drive. In hindsight, I should have plunked down the money for a Honda Civic for not much difference in price and gotten a little better milage and better long term reliability and resale value.

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  2002Malibu - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By srh2002 - June 18 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this car used with 22000 which was high mileage for just one year. It was a rental. My only complaint is the front seat is way to soft causing the driver to sit to low. I bought the base model but it has most all the features I want. Im use to driving cars with 4 cylinders that provide better gas mileage but for a V- 6 it does OK. I hope my Malibu provides many maintenance free miles. Some of the complaints in other reviews worry me but so far mine runs great. It is very roomy for a midsize car. Nice comfortable ride.

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  2002 CHEVY IMPALA ROCKS!!!!!!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By BIG L - June 18 - 2:00 am

  after owning this car for almost 2 years and i have to say that this car is tough as nails i have 43000 miles on it and i have not have take into service for anything except for oil changes and regular maintenance. if you are looking for car with a lot of room and features and wont break the bank the chevy impala is worth a shot.

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  A Very Fine Ride - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JoeBoca - June 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought my new Z28 in July 2002. Although I only have 5K miles on it at this time, I can say that Motor Trend was right, this car is the performance buy of the century. I have the automatic (upper back problems with a clutch). Still, this baby does fly. Very good handling. Recommend Chevy drop the overly raked windshield, fastback, the toooo (55 inches) long doors and go to the Retro version as seen in a previous Motor Trend article when, not if, they build the new one.

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  Perfect vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By JimmyRalls - June 17 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle no problems yet

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  Id rather push my Chevy than drive a... - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By cmadden - June 17 - 10:00 am

  For the money, I’ve found my LS to be a great buy. It’s got a really quick, high revving engine that gets good gas mileage. Mine came with “Preferred Equipment Group 3” which includes things like remote keyless entry, cruise control and theft deterrent system. But more impressive are the standard features like automatic headlight sensors (turn on interior lights depending on light conditions), programmable door lock settings, circuit board electronics (rather than miles of wire), 16 inch aluminum wheels, full size spare, radio / CD that turns down the volume when the vehicle slows, gas shocks, dual zone AC with rear passenger controls, dual stage airbags and side impact air bags.

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  Black Crew - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By malligood - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I really have enjoyed my CC with no problems other than a paint issue. Its fun to drive and the way I have it dressed up it really turns heads.

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  3months and all is well - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By MyZR2 - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought the truck a couple of months ago and love it. The fit and finish is good, the truck drives and looks great. I have gotten many comments on the looks of the truck. So far so good!