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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  good at first but watch out - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By AshMcG - January 17 - 2:00 am

  My cavalier is cute and zoomy, and fun to drive if youre not looking for major speed...I really enjoyed it for awhile. However, I took this car over its 100,000 mile point, and no sooner than I did that than EVERYTHING went to hell. I got the 100,000 mile tune- up like youre supposed to, but now that car causes me nothing but tears...I am afraid to drive it half the time because it may break down or anything! It used to be totally reliable but now... I recommend this car as like a first car for teenagers, but toss it before it gets too high in mileage, the enginge does not take it well.

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  Good Truck! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Bmore Ravens fan - January 17 - 2:00 am

  Been almost a year and has been a great truck. Only problems has been some fit and finish issues but been reliable transport. Great 4wheeling on the beach and tailgating vehicle. Added Yakima roof rack for the bike and a hitch. Seems to have more interior room then a Toyota or Nissan. 4.3L has great low end torque. Great price and its got everything I need and more.

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  this is the family vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By momwithkids - January 17 - 2:00 am

  We are on our second Astro. We love the room, comfort & ease of movement, (important when you have to get back to little kids in car seats quickly no center console to trip over). Most of all we found that this van is reliable, powerful easy drive, sits high for great visibility. Lots of cargo room. There isnt a minivan that can compare! It is like an SUV w/minivan price w/better gas mileage and manuverability. Astros are only for the economically minded who need a reliable work horse to tote a family.

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  I LOVE MY BLAZER - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By MARTA C. - January 17 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT IT WITH 45,000 MILES THIS LAST JULY 02 AND PAID $15,000. IT HAS EVERYTHING BUT P-SEAT {PREFFERED}. EVERYTHINGS BEEN FINE SO FAR. I LOVE THE WAY IT DRIVES AND LOVE THE PEWTER COLOR. I FEEL VERY PROUD WHEN I DRIVE ON BAD WEATHER WHILE I SEE OTHER PEOPLE STRUGGLING. RIGHT KNOW IT HAS 53k. I STARTED TO NOTICE SOME CLUNKY NOISE COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSSION. ALSO FRONT BEARINGS ARE NOISY. IT HAS A LOT OF RUST ON BATTERY TRAY AND EVEN SOME ON THE CHASSIS. I REALLY LIKE THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE CAR. ITS PRETTY GOOD FOR A SUV!!.

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  A real looker - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By jerry mayeux - January 16 - 10:53 pm

  My Monte Carlo was not the exact color I was looking for but the Pewter color is alright. However, the engine (3.1) proved to be entirely adequate for my type of driving. The car seems to be very stable on curves and can accelerate briskly if required. The back seat is really fit for two people only but the trunk can gulp down a fair sized amount of luggage. So, I really cant complain. The real surprise is that at 70 mph I have gotten a shade over 31 MPG in the winter when not using the a.c. And this was with three people and all their stuff. All in all, a pretty fair car for the price.

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  All American Sports Car at a Great Price - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Gary Simms - January 16 - 5:22 pm

  Its an amazing car. You can get more HP, but not much more acceleration or fun. Too fast and you just go to jail!

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  Fun car to drive - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Eric Bauer - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is so fun to drive! This is my first car since I turned 16 a few months ago. This car is so powerful and comfortable to ride in. I got the old cop car version from a police department and got the 350. This thing smokes the Civics and Mustangs so easy. I put a lot of cop stuff in it to give it more personality.

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  The last of the rugged Chevys - 1990 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jeremiah - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had my K-5 for 10 years and am finally thinking of trying to find a replacement (has not been easy). I have had some problems along the way - replaced the rear end in 98, new torque converter in 99, alternator caught fire in 97 - but in all it has been a great vehicle. They just dont build them like they used to. The dash actually has metal and vinyl, and is not all plastic like trucks of today. GM really needs to re-think their interior design for new models. If I had the money, Id think seriously about restoration, but here in salt country (Central New York) it is impossible to keep the body going for ever.

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  Love my Beretta..... - 1992 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Webjocky - January 16 - 2:00 am

  this is a first rate vehicle....great styling,wicked performance....the intended sucessor to the camaro....the Beretta has a great following.

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  Solid car, good performance. - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By DVW67 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Cavalier. Our first was a 97 LS with the 2.2L engine and 4sp auto. I opted this time for the 2.4L engine despite having a good experience with the 2.2L. The 2.4L mated to the 4sp auto is a better performer when getting onto the highway from the on-ramps. The noise level is about the same between both versions. As of this writing, we have 56,800 miles on our 2001 LS (yes, we drive ALOT) and it has performed flawlessly. If asked if I would buy another, I would answer yes if we were considering another compact sedan.