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:

• 

  Fun to drive RS Camaro 2010 - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By William Monteiro - December 29 - 11:43 am

  This car is fun to drive and when you park it expect to draw a crowd. I have had entire families walk over and ask to look at this car from the Dad to the youngest child.We own a Victory red with black stripes Rally Sport the car is a head turner. I actually watched a guy taking a right turn hit the curb looking at this car forgetting to straighten out his car. So if you want a car that will be a collectors item get your hands on a 2010 Camaro !

• 

  s-10 evaluation - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By oogabooga - December 29 - 2:00 am

  its cool

• 

  Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By JimGrahamCa - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Great car for what it is... a Toyota. I bought it for just that reason and I have not been disappointed.

• 

  A Big Rock - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Fromsoca - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Tahoe brand new, within the first two months I had to have the radio replaced and the transmission started having problems not shifting out of 2nd gear, even at 50 mph. At about 6 months the idling arm had to be replaced. The transmission never went away and I returned it under Lemon Law. I then went bought a Silverado, thats a piece of junk too. Im done with American cars.

• 

  Run from this SUV it is JUNK - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Stang 149 - December 28 - 10:00 am

  My headliner has fallen down 3 times Plastic rocker molding fell off Engine knocking, car blowing blue/gray smoke, only getting 15-17MPG with regular fuel The car has been in the shop now for 2 weeks, with no real answers to the issues of poor MPG and the engine knocking. I was told it is "normal" for a new car to have blue/gray smoke coming from it until it is broke in. I have a meeting with GMs regional manager next week. RUN FROM THIS CAR! GM has not changed for the car company of the 1980’s, they are still making junk (I will give them it looks better, dives better, and may use better materials) but the reliability and quality is still the same.

• 

  Astros are iffy - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By Clay Bum - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Everything went to hell at 60,000 miles... with me in it! Its been in the shop 6 times in the last two months. Every time I make any money it goes to my mechanic. As soon as I get back from SCIs New Years run I get to get the tranny fixed. Anyone want buy an Astro?

• 

  I Love my MV!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By MURO - December 28 - 2:00 am

  The Venture rules!! I love this MV. I have test driven every van out there, and nothing handles or drives like the Venture. This van is tops for comfort, room, style, and power. As for reliability, my 1998 Venture has just hit the 79k mile mark, and the only repair has been a the replacement of the water pump. The only thing more reliable in life is my loving wife . . . get this van!!!!!

• 

  Chevy Venture - great 2nd car! - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By jeeplover - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Extended cab gives owner the ability to drive and have lots of space. Good and reliable. Good inner space and has few maintenance problems. Mine has 86K miles and has been no trouble. Front wheel drive requires a slower than normal start - no kicking this into 0- 60 in 6 seconds!! People confuse that issue for trans problems.

• 

  Dangerous vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Todd Peterson - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Terrible on wet roads. Slides easily when attempting to stop. Not a safe vehicle to drive. Im trading it in out of concern for my familys safety. Unfortunately, in less than 2 years it has depreciated by 50%.

• 

  97 Tahoe - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Bruce M - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Colorado driven, city and highway. Transmission problems, though minor, occurred at 50k and 75k. CD quit at 80k. 4wd quit working at 78k. We were happy with the vehicle up until 75k, but I dont know, call me crazy, I think vehicles should last longer than that, especially when given tender loving care. We have probably purchased our last American automobile considering Toyota Highlander, Acura MDX, Lexus 300.