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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  This Aint Like The Old S-10s - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By MGDguy - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive have owned a 89 S-10 Reg Cab 4cyl/5spd, a 91 S-10 Reg Cab 4cyl/5spd, and now a 99 S-10 Ext Cab 6cyl/5spd, and by far I liked the two older ones the best. The 99 Ive owned for only 9 months and I already want to get rid of it. Sqeaks and rattles while driving down the street, not to mention the automatic headlights, the radio that stays on after the ignition is turned off, and the interior light that comes on after removing the ignition key are too much. Plus the fact that the newer S-10 are cheaply built. This is by far the worst S-10 Ive owned. Do yourself a favorite if you want a S-10 buy one thats pre-94.

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  This Aint Like The Old S-10s - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By boogerathome - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive have owned a 89 S-10 Reg Cab 4cyl/5spd, a 91 S-10 Reg Cab 4cyl/5spd, and now a 99 S-10 Ext Cab 6cyl/5spd, and by far I liked the two older ones the best. The 99 Ive owned for only 9 months and I already want to get rid of it. Sqeaks and rattles while driving down the street, not to mention the automatic headlights, the radio that stays on after the ignition is turned off, and the interior light that comes on after removing the ignition key are too much. Plus the fact that the newer S-10 are cheaply built. This is by far the worst S-10 Ive owned. Do yourself a favorite if you want a S-10 buy one thats pre-94.

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  S10 - Midsize Dream Truck - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By abottorf - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive always wanted a Chevy. I havent been disappointed. Dont get me wrong, I have nothing against my Ranger, its a sharp truck. But the S10 is built like a tank but rides like a car. I love it!

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  never a venture again - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By neverventureagain - April 28 - 2:00 am

  bought in Jan 2001 with 67k miles. have grown to hate it quickly. the power sliding door had 2 recalls and still doesnt work right. Now have a recall for steering. Dexcool turns to mud, and the dealer will flush it out for nearly 400.00. now, with 97,000 miles on it,we have a new transmission. Dexcool turned to mud again. Jiffy Lube flushed it 5 times to and would not put dexcool in. They insisted on standard green anti-freeze. it works. had to replace both headlamps. seems the covers are known to fall off after so many years. had to replace both rear signal units. condensation got in and shorted them out. This thing is a money draining nightmare.

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  dependable van - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By Coop2 - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this used with 85000 and i dont drive it alot but it has flawless. The vehicle that has never let me down unlike the voyager SE. Still has the original gm battery. Milage could be better but not in a big van. Avg about 22 on trips only about 3 less that the voyager. LOts O Room I use it to haul music equipment. Dont play on every doing any repairs myself as the engene is very unaccessble as the dog house would have to me removed

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  Fast cheap corvette - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By rix2000ss - April 28 - 2:00 am

  This is one fun car to drive. I have had several Mustangs and I love the interior by comparison. It is not a long distance car by any means. The seats are lacking support and I think I will replace myself. The look of the car is great. So far no problems but I only have 2800 miles on the car.

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  Super New Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Herbert H.Harris - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Impressive. Very solid. Performance is impressive as it breaks in.. Quick...reminds me of my 1970 BMW2002, performs that well, handles superb, ride excellent, impressive for the price.,,,Excellent, Superb build quality,,tight, nicve.ready for my first oil change..

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  Wind Noise! - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Merleal2 - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Very nice little truck to knock around town, but dont get it out on the highway over 60mph without ear plugs as it sounds like you were caught in a wind storm (outside standard cab noise) Dealer replaced windshield without much if any help. Local dealer admitted some have already traded in standard cab models because of the wind noise and said "I dont see how the engineers missed this" Brochure for LS model claims 6 radio speaker but I can find only 4.

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  Great truck or whatever it is. - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Lee Blackwell III - April 27 - 10:00 am

  I also have a 2003 Dodge 4 door SLT the Chevy did cost more but its worth every bit. Excelent ride drives great and has enough power to pull my 24 foot cabin boat with no problem. I love it.

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  Yes they finally got it right! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By MisterMissile - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the LeMans CE Z16; this vehicle is everything I thought it would/could be. Awsome handling and blistering speed. Body fit and finish is excellent. Road noise is on the high side but what can you expect from the 35 series tires and it is a sports car, not a tourer although I wouldnt mind taking it on long trips. Very comfortable seats; driving position is excellent. This car can go directly from the show room to the track.