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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  S10 review - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ford man - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for about a year now and have had no major problems with it. It gets after it pretty well with the quick 4.3 litre. I have only had minor problems such as replacing radiator hose and having the exaust pipe crack in two. I since have taken off the muffler and now it has received the title of "the green machine."

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  Zeder - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Vroom!!! - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Z24 in May of 2002. Since then Ive had no real problems with it besides the very unreliable clutch. The power in this car is remarkable. This car just flys. The interior.. well its a 92 not too bad i guess. Its typical GM design. Very basic. Overall its really just a basic car with a big engine.

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  Caprice LTZ - 1992 Chevrolet Caprice
  By avanti - February 2 - 2:00 am

  One of the most reliable cars we have ever owned. Purchased new, and currently has 138,580 miles & repairs have been limited to normal wear items, such as brakes, belts and a new battery. Engine, transmission and exhaust system are all original. Wish we could buy a new Caprice

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  Lots of Repairs - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Ken J. - February 2 - 2:00 am

  At 85k, I had a lower rod bearing come apart and ruined the motor. Rebuilt Delco motor installed costs 5k. At 80k, manifold gaskets had to be replaced since the so called 150000 mile coolant failed. This repair was about 1200 bucks. Many other failures that required lots of out-of-pocket expenses and time in the shop. Once the rebuilt motor is installed, its history.

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  Great First Car - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By nsfreerider - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I am a mountain biker and I can fit 3 people (2 in the passenger seat) and 3 bikes in my cavalier. Great for drive and drops. Doesnt have a lot of power, but isnt lacking in power. Awesome fuel economy. Odometer starts glowing with heat after 21 hours of straight driving. Great in the snow.

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  My 2nd Love - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By CraigE - February 1 - 10:43 pm

  This is my second Vette. My first was a 2001 C5 convertible. Over all this is a spectacular car. I cannot believe the response and the handling. The lines on the car are outrageous. Imagine a Ferrari and a Lamborgini mated to make a new car that resembles a Vette. The creature comforts are many including a built in cell phone for the OnStar option.

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  Update from previous Revie - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By whitespirit - February 1 - 2:00 am

  I put 80,000 miles on my car in 3 years. I bought new for $15,000 and traded it in for $ 3,500. The master cylinder was just starting to go when I traded it. I was also on my 3RD set of 60,000 TIRES !!!! This care ate tires, they would only wear in one spot and the rest looked new. But the car kept going no matter what. It would not die under 700 mile trips, excessive 100+ mile per hour trips, and constant abuse. Had this been a cheap car I would have demolished it along time ago.

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  Repair Nightmare - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By van - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Although the basic engine block seems well built, weve had to replace/rebuild nearly all external components ie: trans, alternator, power steering pump, rack-in-pinion seeering, complete brake system and complete cooling system overhaul. Weve paid as much to keep it running as we paid for it, and its only 7 years old.

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  a great classic - 1992 Chevrolet Caprice
  By fishdude - February 1 - 2:00 am

  I actually had a 93 caprice. this was my fisrt car. i loved it so much. the exterior styling is just so unique and admirable. i bought this car used with the above mileage on it. it ran great, tranny shifted smoother than a babys ass. great acceloration from the 16V 5 liter engine. most comforatable car i ever been in. sadly i got in a bad wreck with this car and totalled it. i really miss this one. great car!!!

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  A Useful Vehicle - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Indiana6 - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Value Venture met need for affordable new minivan with capacity for 8 seats, and no compromise on engine and transm. Handling and ride are good for a van. At 43K, 34 mos. some squeaks and rattles, and a manifold gasket change. Earlier transmission valve problem fixed under warranty.