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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  Impala Woes - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By derek8155 - March 3 - 2:00 am

  This is a nice car but suffers from quality problems. I had to replace all 4 rotors 5 times in 100,000 miles due to warping. I also had numerous problems with the steering and shaking. The two things you dont want problems with are steering and braking. GM had no real solution to these problems so I am getting rid of it and buying a Camry.Its unfortunate as this was my first American car I have ever purchased in 30 years and probably my last!!!

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  fuel pressure regulator - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By albijon1 - March 3 - 2:00 am

  thats the only thing that hit me hard on my pockets so far,but built like a rock they didnt say that for nothing

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  You like sports cars? Youll love this. - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Teresa Miller - March 3 - 2:00 am

  I love cars very low to the ground & corner well with speed. I live on a gravel road that is not well maintained & the car has held up & is as good as the day I bought it. Mine has the ground effects which makes it very sharp & stylish.

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  BANG FOR THE BUCK! - 2003 Chevrolet Express
  By WILDCAT - March 3 - 2:00 am

  IF YOU WANT POWER, GREAT LOOKS, TONS OF ROOM AND NOT BE LUMPED INTO THE SOCCER MOM MINI VAN CROWED THIS IS THE VAN FOR YOU! BUT WAIT!, WHAT ABOUT THE POOR GAS MILEAGE? GO ON ANY DEALER LOT AND SEE HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS YOU WILL SAVE OVER THEIR MINI VAN COUNTERPARTS. YES, ENOUGH TO OFFSET MANY YEARS OF "MEDIOCRE" GAS MILEAGE.

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  Dont buy a Chevy Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By andrew allocco - March 3 - 2:00 am

  The top of the line LT model is a piece of junk. Within first year the AC fan motor broke, front seat rails were cracked,front shock absorber bad, driver heated seat doesnt heat, engine pings and knocks real bad even if using high test,other people have same problem, fuel gauge doesnt read correctly,electrical problem with clock/radio (a friend who also owns a 2001 LT has same problem) Chevy makes these trucks in Mexico.The quality just isnt there. Friend has had to replace electric window motor on the same door three times in the past 2 years with AC Delco Mexican parts they repeatedly broke. Chevy/GM customer service is a joke.

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  This is it! - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Donte - March 3 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my Surburban abotu a month ago and I love it. I was a little disappointed with the 2-wheel drive feature but I realized that I do not live in the mountains and I do not plan to plow any snow anytime soon. This SUV is unreal, it has a smooth ride like my friends Lexus. (not quite, but you get the point) If you have the chance, get one.

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  Having Fun - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By gator36 - March 2 - 6:16 am

  My wife and I test drove the Envoy at a GM Truck Show in Motion. She fell in love with how it drove and handled. Compared to the Dodge Durango it was by far more quiet and had more power. With 500 miles on the odometer we love every aspect of the vehicle and would make the purchase again. I am a picky new car buyer and usually can find things to have the dealer repair right away. I am happy to say that to date I have yet to find something.

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  Four Door Corvette - 1994 Chevrolet Impala
  By candymanfb - March 2 - 2:00 am

  This car has a powerful engine - capable of passing in an instant. Comfort for 5. I have no idea what GM was thinking when they stopped making this car. Maybe they wanted it to be worth something - unlike Chryslers PT CRUISER.

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  Almost 10 years, and running strong... - 1994 Chevrolet Suburban
  By GMatt - March 2 - 2:00 am

  My K1500 has held up mighty fine over the past 10 years. The 4x4 is strong, and when hunting, the auto-lockers come in handy so that I dont have to hop out and do it myself. The ride is comfortable for the freeway, the kids can stay calm in the back, and there is plenty of room in my un-tinted rig!

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  2003 Blazer - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By trhall17 - March 2 - 2:00 am

  I went from a 2000 Grand Am GT to the Blazer and what a difference!!!!