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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  A Very Nice Little Car - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Syracusan17 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I have a base model with a 5 speed manual, air conditioning, cassette, tilt wheel, side airbags, ABS, and alloy wheels. I have had ZERO problems in a year of ownership. I STOLE this car- a comparable Toyota Corolla (the same car) with more miles and less options was selling for $3000 more! Looks good, and feels solid. Tires are the weak point- the stock Goodyears were terrible. I upgraded to 185/60-14 Yokohama Avid T4s and the car is far more stable. The cost cutting is apparent in the sheet metal, though: it dents and dings extremely easily. Overall a trouble free, enjoyable piece of point-to-point transportation.

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  Tired of Rental Cars - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By fjm11516 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I loved this car more than any I had ever owned. Then the second year came around. This car spends more time in the shop than it does at my home. Ive had 3 major problem that were covered under warrenty. My warrenty ends in 700 miles and I am scared to death of what is going to happen next. Great comfort which is why I bought it. The most unreliable car ever. Run away.

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  Good car - but do I want another? - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Daddyio - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought the 2000 in June 1999. Weve put 77,000 miles on with just the minimum normal upkeep. 1 annoying thing - the front window would "ping" like a pebble hit it when the tempurature inside was cooler than out. Weird and annoying!! I just totalled it and my husband wants to replace with new one - same color, etc. They dont seem to have changed in 4 years, except for being $4,000 more. I want to change, but maybe just for change sake. Any comments??

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  happy track - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By tracker happy - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I have just perchased my 2nd tracker, I have a 2000 model and just bought the same 2003 model. WE REALLY LOVE IT! My 2000 model has never been in the shop, the gas mileage is great and I had a car accident 9k worth of damage and I walked away.I have to say that the tracker is worth the money and that is why we are buying again. Hope the new one has just as good of a TRACKER! record.

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  My review - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By canddmeyer - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle til 55,000 miles at which time things broke one after another. Luckily, most were warranty items. I got stuck for the throttle body ($800). Already has had two brake jobs & 2 batteries. My buddies Jeep Cherokee will run circles around my Blazer with better handling & higher ground clearance. The Blazer was the best buy for the $ though & luckily I have a fantastic dealer which was 95% of the reason I purchased the vehicle. Turnaround on repairs is same day 90% of the time. Must get an extended warranty when purchased new. Despite the complaints, it was still the best buy for my $ in 1997, & Id buy another today unless Im towing.

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  We both love this car. - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By msellen - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This is the second one weve owned and have never had a problem.

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  malibu girl - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By SLUgurl - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I like my malibu but Ive had several problems with the brakes. Of course the dealership said it was a maintance problem and warranty wouldnt cover it (NEVER BUY FROM ROSS DOWNING IN HAMMOND,LA)! 5,000 miles later Im having the same problem.

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  Just Buy it !!!! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Gandalf - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I read the "expert reviews" and I read the consumer reviews. The consumers have it right, this is one great car. There is no loud noise over 50 mph, the car is quiet, powerful and great looking. I bought the LTZ fully loaded, black with pewter trim. I suggest getting all the options especially the Bose Stereo !!!! Rock and Roll with the Trailblaxer. FYI I am a 44 year old 59 not skinny man and it couldnt be more comfortable

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  great truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By stitz1 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  drove ford dodge . chevy has them then beat by miles . looks /ride/perf. i will never look at another maker.

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  2500 HD silverado EXTENDED CAB LT - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By george bowdoin - May 3 - 10:23 pm

  I spend at least 4 hours and 225 miles a day - 5 days a week, driving the 05 Silverado. Safety, comfort, and performance is a requirment for the truck I drive. This truck fulfills these requirments very nicely. The trucks four wheel disk brakes enables it to stop {loaded-3200lbs} quickly and safely. The interior is quiet and spacious. The large 8 way adjustable seats are akin to the recliner in my den. The lofty view of the road from this seat is unparalelled to any truck I have driven. The 6L engine enables me to move 3,000 lb. loads with ease. With the cruise control set, interstate driving is a pleasure with no downshifts for grade changes.