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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  Great Little Car!! - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Rick C. - February 21 - 3:10 am

  I downsized from a 2003 Acura TL, so I expected to be very disappointed with this car. Boy was I wrong! This is a great little car for less than half the cost of my Acura. Performance is peppy (much better than the Sentra and Lancer that I comparison shoppped). The ride is compliant and very quiet (in fact, the noise level is on a par with my Acura!). The automatic is smooth and the amenities are amazing at this price (power everything, nice wheels, keyless entry, "driver command center" that bests my Acuras information-providing capablities, etc.). Fit and finish is excellent (amazingly so, at this price point) and gas mileage is extraordinary. I am truly impressed with what Chevy has done

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  Mid life Camaro crisis - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bugwart - February 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun! I have had many sports cars - British, and Italian. The Camaro handles with the best of the them. Little body roll, and very predictable. The torque lets you move the rear end around at will. All in all, a fun car!!

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  Much more than a mini-van - SUV killer - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By flyingdutchman01 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Astro, a 2002 LS model. I hope that GM comes to its senses and redesignes the ASTRO. There is no other package like it on the road - good cargo and towing ability and room for my family and still has room for more stuff behind the 3rd row!). Mid- sized SUVs scrunch a 3rd row (if you can even get it in the highest costs models) right up against the back glass. Full sized SUVs cost 10-15k more and drink more fuel with no more space. This is a great package. GM - youve redesigned the s-10 replacement. Now its time to do the same for the ASTRO!

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  Transmission Trouble - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By donmac - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Warranty was 3 yr./60m km. At3 1/2 yr. and 65m km. the transmission blew with no warning. Because I had no problems for 3 yr. I didnt buy extended warranty for Can.$2400. It cost me Can.$3600 to replace it. Seals let go and were chewed up. I now have 85m km. and do not trust that I wont have something else go.

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  Good review - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By aplustech - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Nice ride,stylish,dependable,comfortable

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  The American Honda - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By GMlover - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Im 17 and i got my 2002 cavalier LS Sport (4door)once my 1990 Oldsmobile died. i must say the cealer was not to friendly but once i laid my eyes on this car i just had to have it. IT was the last 2002 on the lot so we got a very nice price. I really enjoy this car to the fullest. I must say i am pretty imprest with chevy. Not because this is a top of the line vehicle but i would expect less from an american car company. I feel that chevy put out a perfect car to compeat with those hondas and toyota on the market. The seats are friendly to the bottom and the back is surprisingly spacious. The cavalier is an overall great car. Thanks mom and dad

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  Hit me like a land slide! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By LandSlide - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Purchased to support Cave Diving hobby. Both my wife and I were put off at first by looks, but the functionality is awesome. Industructable, go anywhere, pull anything. Pulled our 24 boat like it wasnt there. Damm fine truck.

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  05 Trailblazer EXT - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Boldenwh - February 20 - 2:36 pm

  Cheaper alternative to imports and even GMC siblings. Dull power off the line, but gets going in mid tach range. Great discounts can be found as well. This vehicle rates high if you can pick up a loaded one for less than $26K.

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  Good small truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By mnicolella - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Great value - more options, better styling and durability than anything else at the price. Fairly sporty to drive with 4 cyl., 2wd, 5 spd., and it only weighs 2800 lbs. Ive parked it outside in the NE for 5 years and put on 70,000 miles, and the only problem is that the grille plastic is fading. Not a single mechanical problem, paint looks good with a yearly carnuba wax, and no rattles. The bed is galvanized. Im skeptical of the American cars quality, and Ive been happily surprised.

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  Never again - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By trimom - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Maybe the dealership sold us a lemon, but we have had problems from day one. We had to replace our tires the first time at under 10,000 miles because we could not keep the alignment in check. This van is on its fourth set of tires and I have lost count of the alignments we have had done. We take good care of our cars as far as preventive maint., but this van has been nothing but trouble. By the way, it only has 49,000 miles on it. Other problems included air conditioning problems. I have rthe safety reviews of this van and it is listed as "poor". My suggestion is if you want a minivan, get a minivan.