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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  S-10 SATISFIED - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By JAG7557 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  ALITTLE OVER PRICED FOR WHAT YOU GET.

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  2000 Venture extended LS - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By iamtefkam55 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has always provided safe and reliable transportation. The ride is very solid, the acceleration is more than adequate. The van has plenty of useful space for a family of four.

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  WHAT A SHAME - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By LEROYVENUS - April 11 - 2:00 am

  GREAT OPTION TO THE HONDA ACCORD IF YOU CANT AFFORD THE ACCORD BUT WHAT A FRIKIN HEADACHE! I SHOULD HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON FROM THE 95 BLAZER BUT NNOOOO...BRAKES,A/C,FUNNY NOISES FROM THE DASH, ARE JUST SOME OF THE PROBLEMS NOT TO MENTION HOW FAST THESE CARS DEPRECIATE! NEXT TIME-IMPORT

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  excellent truck - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By w adams - April 11 - 2:00 am

  bEST TRUCk WEVE EVER HAd

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  malibu - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Beth - April 11 - 1:55 am

  for a sedan this is a great vehicle. smaller for getting around in parking lots but not so small that you feel as if sitting in a tin can. seats are bigger in front so you are not falling off set at every corner. gas millage is good and trunk is fair sized. love love love my vehicle.

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  Great car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Melissa - April 10 - 10:00 pm

  You will not find a better car for the money that actually looks good. This is my first American made car. Before I bought the Cobalt, I shopped around for 3 months and decided this was the one for me strictly on specs. Then GM announced the employee discount for everyone it was a no brainer. I find it very good on gas. Its a perfect "city car" should you need to park it in the street and has decent horsepower. I also had Lo-Jack installed, because I live in NYC, and GM added the cost of the installation to my financing for a lower rate. The Chevy sales people really work with you and not pushy at all. My overall experience with GM was great. I love my car!

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  Great so far - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Cathy - April 10 - 2:46 pm

  It drives and handles great. So far no problems. I have an automatic and I was driving a 5 speed so that part is better. It is good on gas.

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  Im going to Toyota - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JohnJ - April 10 - 2:00 am

  @ 5.5 yrs old (49k) the following has been replaced: 3 sets of brakes including rotors steering gear twice upper control arms twice rear sway bar bushings ABS rht front wheel speed sensor intake manifold gasket ignition wiring heater speed control. The cost of the repair of the intake manifold leak (allowing oil & antifreeze to mix) GM would not coverfor me yet for a friend of mine with the same problem on a 98 Venture they covered (both mine and his not under warranty and just a couple months apart). GM is very inconsistent with customer support.

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  Too little for too much!!!!!!!!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jwolff - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this vehicle about 6 months ago and have found out that I really dont like Tahoes! In the begining I loved it but the fact that is so large in size really distortes any acceleration it may have. I think that this vehicle is very comfortable but the styling is not for me. One month after I purchased this vehicle I had to have the tires replaced and the oil lines replaced. I also think that they sould change the placing of the cup-holder and the ash tray. Who the hell wants to reach over their passengers legs to put out a cigarette? Not Me! Right now half of the dash lights are out.

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  Great Car - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Maria Carmen Schmidt - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I was givven this car for my 40th. b- day, in 94 it was bran-new. I love my car it still looks bran-new people still ask me if i just got a new car and i tell them its not new its a 94. Extremely powerful!! Has a vette engine and handles like a dream. I would not trade it for anything.Ive only put about $300 into it in the 9 years I have owned it, not including regular service. Love the sound of the exaust. LOVE THE POWER!!!! It gets great mileage for being a V8 about 25mpg. and it is very reliable, I have driven it to Mexico several times. I want to thank my husband for that birthday present it was the best present ever!