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:

• 

  Good Truck - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By mikeyz - January 28 - 2:00 am

  I have been reading the reviews of this vehicle and am surprised by the reports. I purchased my 1996 Chevy S- 10 ZR2 Extracab in may of 1998--when i purchased it the vehicle had 58,000 miles. I recently broke 100,000 and have had (knock on wood)no major problems to report. I do change the oil regularly but other than that I have done regular maintence. I changed my transmission filter and fluid, put new brake pads, changed the idler pulley and my belts and have replaced the A/C condensor. I did all of this myself so the cost has been relatively low. My truck still has lots of power and I haul my ATV with it and I 4X4 alot with it while hunting.

• 

  Underrated - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By PreZ - January 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my Camaro for a four and a half years. I think the car is underrated. The engine is solid and has been reliable for all 117,500 miles. It also gets better mileage than many cars. Ive gotten nearly 35 miles to the gallon on interstae trips. It does have the five speed. Sure it has a few quirks, but nothing major. Dont forget, this is a Camaro. For the money its hard to beat. I still get many complements. Unfortunately I wont be able to get a new one, so Ill be looking for a 2001-2002 Z28 for my next vehicle.

• 

  1998 Chevy Cavalier..pretty good car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Erika - January 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my car close to 3 years...I would recommend this to anyone for a first car...Cavaliers must in general be good cars...i mean they keep making them year after year...through the years...i replaced the battery, tires, ignition switch, and serpintine belt...usual oil changes, and transmission change, brakes were put on also...but in my opinion these were typical maintenance jobs within a 3 year time...

• 

  Great Car - 1993 Chevrolet Corvette
  By CD - January 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this 49th Anniversay Vette used with 36000 miles back in 1999. It has never had given me any problems and it is a great car to drive. Chevy did good on this one.

• 

  We love it - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By karikap - January 27 - 9:40 pm

  After owning it less than a week we decided to drive from Florida to Indiana. Comfort and driving was superb with great visibility. We love it

• 

  Great SUV from Chevrolet - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Randy - January 27 - 5:50 am

  We had been shopping around for a SUV and our choices came down to the Equinox and CRV. As this was our first SUV purchase, we wanted as much as we could get for the money. After driving both and looking at all the features, the Equinox was a better value than the CRV. We love it. The exterior styling stands out from other SUVs. The interior is laid out well. All the controls are within reach and the steering wheel controls are great. The sliding rear seat gives rear passengers so much leg room, plus sliding it all the way forward gives you more cargo room. Chevrolet has done a good job in designing this new SUV and with all the standard features it competes well with the imports.

• 

  Giddy Up!! - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By DanSSman - January 27 - 2:00 am

  Back in the day when I was down and out I bought the SS to cheer me up and I havent stopped smiling since. With the performance, comfort and overall ride of this vehicle who wouldnt feel like the king of road. I wish I had enough money at the time to buy a 2nd one and keep it in storage. For now driving the car year-round is not a bad alternative

• 

  a great used car - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Sal Writer - January 27 - 2:00 am

  After 6 1/2 years as a used car, the Beretta still rocks. Its been reliable, sturdy, and with standard maintenance has held up very well. The ABS are a great safety feature, I will never buy another car without em. The upholstery is the only thing that hasnt held up that well. But mechanically this car is solid. Too bad Chevy never bothered to update the car and discontinued in 96. If you have one, its a classic. The car a nice line to it.

• 

  i love my truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By chevylove_s_10 - January 27 - 2:00 am

  for a compact pick up w\4 cyliders this thing rocks. i cant find anther truck that i would rather drive.with the chevy 4.3l or a 350 (fun to install) this truck is a force to be reckond with.

• 

  Still In Question - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By NJR - January 27 - 2:00 am

  Fine until 75,000 miles, had to replace alternator twice, brakes and rotors, had to put in new Transmission, had coolant leak, motor for Windshield wipers went out, but still love the comfortable ride and big space SUV provides. Just dont expect these type of problems from SUV in this price range.