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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  2013 Chevy Equinox - 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ginny - September 15 - 3:04 pm

  I bought an original Equinox a 2005 when the first came out (which I loved) so when I was in need of another car I knew I would go to another Equinox. This car has been one problem after another. 1) During a family trip the wiper motor stopped working during a horrific rain storm ( luckily went to an awesome dealer wished I lived in that state). 2) the transmission went on my way to get groceries the original dealer wasnt real accommodating so had to go another which was ok - wasnt great experience and 3) now while driving its stalls - really how safe is this car. Im so scared to get it in now - I cant express my disappointment in Chevy & GM

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  Good Starter Vehicle - 1992 Chevrolet Corsica
  By ericthered - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my v-6 corsica for 6 years now, and it has treated me very well. I purchased it when it was 4 years old with only 26,000 miles on it. Interior is good. Car leans a bit too much during turns. Since the 6 years, Ive had to replace the rotors and brake pads, which cost me $800. The only other major work is the radiator because of a leak. The model has major paint chipping problems. Especially white and blue ones. Its too bad because the inside of my car is clean and almost still like new even after 10 years! HOwever, still no major rust problems. The back is a little small. Leg room is limited.

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  Booorrrinnngggg - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ibngneer - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This is your grandfathers SUV. Or at least it was mine. Its function, yet extremely boring. Corners like a boat, rides (floats) like a Buick.

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  No problems....but one... - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MS - September 12 - 2:00 am

  This car has been good to me. It has only been in the shop once. The intake gasket was leaking coolant. I realized that this was probably happening from the 2nd year on and could have gotten it fixed under the warranty, but now have to pay $600. So warning to new Malibu owners to have it tested. Again, besides this I have no complaints, it has been a reliable car that still looks good.

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  Sorry Bro - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By super slick - September 12 - 2:00 am

  dont get me wrong, i think the car is pretty fast. the exterior is ok but the interior is horrible. not too many mechanical flaws but it shakes a bit during cold weather start ups.

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  GM needs quality control improvement - 1996 Chevrolet Express
  By Kayaker - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Mine is a conversion van Mark III so the interior is better than standard.The car is a good road warrior but had the ABS go out at 48k, the a/c rear at 25k, and a drive shaft leaking oil at 27k. Brakes inadequate for such a large vehicle.At 59k, bits and pieces of trim are departing or breaking I echo the concern about vibrating rear view mirrors. Very flimsy side door. I am convinced Chevy could build a better van if they tried. Now that the kids are bigger, next car is a Subaru which will last forever.

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  Extremely Reliable - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jo Mama - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Lots of rust and failing hardware items- - but all that could be attributable to previous owner(s) since I bought this used in Feb 2000. Despite its blemishes and minor hardware defects, it runs like a champ (its had to jumpstart my 1998 Astro countless times) and the A/C blows cold!!

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  HELP - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By DEB T - September 6 - 9:16 pm

  Just picked this car up yesterday and am not so happy today -- why doesnt steering wheel tilt? is this feature a thing of the past---too bad if it is. Also, I am 5,3" and the head rest makes me lean forward - I had a stiff neck after my ride home -- I cannot sit back because the head rest forces me to lean forward with head down -- cant rest my back/ shoulders on the seat -- is there something wrong with the head rest or me? I want to cry - it was so uncomfortable ---anyone else have this problem?

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  Chevy venture van - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By airplane - September 6 - 2:00 am

  this van i have had has been somewhat reliable but from now on i would not buy anything but honda or toyota unless they really made american cars more reliable.

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  Dont waste your money - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Dan in MN - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has more rattles and squeaks than imaginable. The plastic interior has a very poor fit and finish. After I hit 38,000 miles I had to replace my power steering pump, universal joints, and fuel pump. One morning there was oil on my grarage floor and I found out I had to replace all of the oil lines. I had to have my doors adjusted because I had to lift them to close. We finally removed the spare tire because the weight of carrier & tire bent the right side quarter panel. The car doenst drive straight even after it has been aligned multiple times. I finally sold the vehicle w/ 52,000 miles because the maintenance was killing me.