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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  Wonderful little car - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Jackpinejack - March 24 - 2:00 am

  This is, after all, a Toyota Corolla with a Chevy badge, and Im a Corolla nut. I just want a car that doesnt ever want or need to be fixed, and this Prizm/Corolla fits the bill. Too bad Chevy has dropped the line -- I guess they were embarassed that they junk-pile small models they make (I once owned a ghastly Vega) cant compare. Reliable Reliable Reliable.

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  Approaching 1/4 MILLION miles... - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Milnecat - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Yes, you read that right...this car has 238,000 miles...on the original engine and the original transmission! Yes, it has received extensive repairs to support these highway miles...but the car still looks & runs great! I just pulled over a ton of trailer (and furniture) up 7-8% grades without a problem...no overheating, no hesitation! All accessories work. This truck was built right!

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  Great Used car choice - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By frankwt - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car, had leather interior put in as soon as we bought it, made the seast more comfortable. Fast enought to get a ticket real easy...LOL Great comments from others that love the "look" of the car.

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  breaks feel funny - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By loooser - March 24 - 2:00 am

  When i test drove the vehicle the breaks felt like the were grinding. The dealership said it was surface rust from moisture and would ware off with the first use. This happens every time it rains. I took a week vacation and when i got back it was worse than ever, it went away after a few stops. Still grinds after every use or when it sits for a period of time.

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  2001 Tahoe - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By J_Baller - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Very happy with it. No problems to date. Tons of power, good looks... no complaints

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  This is my 2nd Maxx - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By bradley - March 23 - 4:20 pm

  I traded an 05 LS ex-rental car for my new LTZ. I was already impressed with the power this car puts out, and all the nifty little features that the interior has (sliding rear seats, etc.). My biggest gripes about the car are the electric steering calibration (could be stiffer at speed), and the CD radio. The radio itself sounds great, but this design has been out for 3 model years now, and as of yet there is no aftermarket support for it. Meaning if you car does not come with XM, you cannot add one directly to the stereo itself, must be FM modded. And no MP3 support either.

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  sweet - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By boooond - March 23 - 2:00 am

  with little modification my s-10 really goes and handles great, I wouldnt have bought anything else (except a newer one)

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  my second astro - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By CAPTAIN - March 23 - 2:00 am

  rock solid and roomy are why I like my astros so much today 5 astros are being driven by family members like myself the astro they are driving are not their first. the 4.3 v6 may just be the finest motor GM has ever put in a vehicle trouble free utility put the astro at top of my list.

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  WONDERFUL CAR - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By kkymmer - March 23 - 2:00 am

  BOUGHT THIS CAR AFTER MY SUBARU DIED. THE SUBY WAS A COMPACT, I LIKE THE ROOMINESS OF THE LUMINA, THE GET UP AND GO THAT IS HAS. RIDING IN IT IS LIKE RIDING ON A CLOUD!!! AMAZING CAR ALTOGETHER.

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  need a new life!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Astro
  By sunnypham - March 23 - 2:00 am

  good AWD,good towing and exllent to haul.I dont like the access and font seats,not really comtable.