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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  Got SSpeed? - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Godspeed - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Quality vehicle that is very fun to drive. I have test driven the likes of Mustangs but it does not draw as much attention as an SS. Heritage + 300 plus Horses = The Untimate Driving Machine

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  Sorry to see her go - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Pichilingi - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I leased this vehicle four years ago. Negotiating with the lease company to buy it now. Have really enjoyed the Blazer and would buy another. However, I test drove the 2003 Trailblazer this last week and was not impressed.

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  Everyone "ALWAYS" tests the LS with 3.8 - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By bigrig - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife. I rarely drive it. It has had NO problems what so ever!! It actually has more front leg room and is more comfortable for me than my 01 LT Suburban. Power is very adaquet and handling is good, with absolutely dead center steering on the interstate. What I cant get over is the gas mileage. It just turned 10,000 miles on a recent 2000 mile trip. When the trip computer said 36.5 mpg, I thought it lied (on one segment at 70 to 80 mph). It was actually 35.8! It gets 29/30 every fillup, We also like the "cloth" split power bench--much more comfy than buckets!

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  GREAT RIDE - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By JOHN HOLMES - November 30 - 3:40 am

  PLENTY OF ROOM FOUR OUR KIDS HANDLES GREAT

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  Ol Reliable - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bud Utecht - November 30 - 2:40 am

  As a contractor, we work this truck hard, tow with it, haul with it, and it has never let us down. Comfortable, good ride, nice features. As with all GM trucks of this era the speedometer leaves a lot to be desired. We do have 170,000 miles on this truck. Still rock solid.

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  Three Door Pickup - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Proud S10 owner - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had Chevy S-10 pickup trucks for over 10 years. And It was time for a new vehicle of course I had to get a third Chevy S-10. My first two S-10s I put over 300,000 miles on them. And am looking forward to putting 200,000 miles on this one.

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  Better than I expected - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By WalterJ - November 30 - 2:00 am

  This was a corporate fleet car I bought from a dealer. It had 57000 miles and now has 97000. Its amazing to me that the resale price is so low. This is the first car I think Ill take the distance. Best highway car I ever had. Very reliable.

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  Good, but in the shop a lot - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By SFOBPH - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought it because the price was right. I dont regret it, but it has been in the shop too often. Most fit and finish problems, but there was one serious engine problem.

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  Dont buy one - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By MSA - November 29 - 8:20 pm

  This car needed to a new transmission and 34,000 miles. At 52,000 miles the water pump went, and at 55,000 miles the air-conditioning compressor went. Stay away from this car.

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  Lots of problems - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Love it and hate it - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Recall on the spark plugs. Just recently a recall on the emissions. You can get these fixed at any Cheverolet dealership. I have had four altenators. Not cheap to fix but husband is a mechanic and saved me $400 in labor charges. I love the car but it has really been a headache. Also replaced the air conditioner and the fuel pump.