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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  1991 lumina euro - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By - January 15 - 2:00 am

  poor fuel pumps should be recalled common problem. Interior falls apart easily. Bad injectors and a feww others bad. Otherwise when it runs good and everything is fine very good car lots of interior room. Recall door handels mine also broke twice!!!

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  Best Car in Town - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By go3wide - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This is the second of two Camaros I have had the pleasure of owning. The first was a Z28 (with the LT1), this a standard coupe (with the L36 V6). Both are a pleasure to drive. The L36 is surprisingly powerful even at the factory rated 200hp at the flywheel and 3.08 rear. Both cars have the 4L60E 4 speed automatic trannine, that has near perfect shift, especially at WOT. The L36 car has the increased benefit of bieng more inexpensive to maintain and insure, and still is a head turner at the car show and at the track. Both cars have plenty of aftermarket and custom performace products that they can share with the obvious exception being the motor.

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  good domestic car - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By anandkale - January 15 - 2:00 am

  12000 miles went rather peacefully a rattle from passenger airbag cover fixed by the dealer at no extra charge, brake rotors replaced at no extra charge The transmission oil went bad by 47000 miles and I could feel it while driving. The air filter was bad at 25000 and 50000 while GM recomments replacement at each 30000. most of my driving is highway and i get 29mpg almost all time. The mechanic recommended a coolant flush by 4 years 65000 miles instead of GMs 5 years 150000 miles recommendation to save the water pump. at 57000 miles feels like the car needs a tuneup.

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  Lightening - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ericsmokin - January 15 - 2:00 am

  My biggest complaint is cluch. I have had the car for 6 months and I still cannot pop it into 2nd smoothly. Also, the car kept stalling, but that problem started and stopped within 15 minutes. Recently, the car has a hard time turning over, as if there is a clog in the fuel lines (occus about twice a week). Finally, I fill the take more in my Cavalier than I ever did in my 94 Crown Voctoria. Overall, I like the car.

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  10,000 recap on SS 2.4 auto - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By azdiva - January 15 - 12:23 am

  07 is last production year of SS models. Not to many made. engine flawless, vvt low maint timing chain. Proven drivetrain. exc handling, performance, and economy 25 mpg city. great a/c in 115 temps. windshield angle not extreme blocks heat and sun. suspension tight and rigid,great brakes,all you need for defensive freeway driving. Out accelerates most cars. Body tight. Composite graphite dash better than vinyl for durability in heat.power features galore. rfid passkey 3. effective fog lamps. Auto lighting is great,lumbar and thigh supports, trunk and not hatch with wiper, battery in rear, oil filter element on top. this car rocks. resale? ill wait a few years let the market decide.

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  My new Monte Carlo - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Alfred - January 14 - 10:06 pm

  I really like it, but the suspension is a little stiff. I dont know if its because it is new or it has a sports suspension, but I can feel all the bumps in the road. Also, the wind noise is a little bit high for this type of car.

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  ehhh - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By darreng707 - January 14 - 1:29 pm

  i have had this truck for around 1.5 years put on about 25,000 miles and it just is cheaply made the wobble in the front end large turning radius for a short truck the cd player was crap the latch broke on the tailgate,center console, have had the parking brake fixed by gm 6 times ive never driven with it on ac is weak check engine light comes on randomly fuel pumps @ 149xxx, speakers are blown and falling out of their holes, burns oil but dosent leak it, super light in the back end my boat drug it down a dry launch ramp with parking brake on boat (6400) lbs and very narrow interior im about 61" and 265 and the seats are narrow and uncomfortable any long drives require frequent rest stops.

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  Sweet Trucks - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Gomer Pile - January 14 - 2:00 am

  S-10s are awesome little trucks, especially the 4.3 with a five speed. These things are verry quick for compact trucks. Quick, nimble, good gas mileage, looks good doing it. This particular truck has the ZQ8 suspension package and an SS motor. Also it has been lowered and has performance shocks and tires to enhance its qualitys.

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  One of the best sport coupes ever - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By NRGZ28 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for over 4 years now and Ive enjoyed every day of it. I will never sell it or let it rot like others.

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  steering - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By rcsam - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I had a knocking in the steering column after 12000 miles and the dealer tells me that there is a design flaw that cause the steering to make noise. The joint dries out and requires a $100 lube from the dealer which is not covered after the warranty expires. This is a great riding auto with great pick-up and amentities. Highly recommend it.