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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  Generally not pleased - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By 711 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  generally very unhappy. build quality is very poor...windnoise, etc. Recurrent check engine light issues, clunky brakes, and power steering decides not to work well at times. Transmission not smooth in city driving

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  Awesome car!! - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By R&KS - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This is our 3rd Monte carlo. The first was an 86 LS, the second was a 2002 LS. We got addicted and just bought the 2004 SS, loaded. This is a fun car to drive. The SS package is just the best. It handles well in all weather and hugs corners better than any car we have driven.

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  The best ride for the $ - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By sppoger - November 12 - 2:00 am

  will buy another,awesome ride and comfort .Love the vehicle for the kids hockey trips keep the stinky stuff in the back.....

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  Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rsabmc - November 12 - 2:00 am

  2004 Chev Trailblazer LT 4WD / Standard Vehcile Charge - $31,895.00 Silverstone Metallic LT Package 1 group - $1350.00 P245/70R16 4 WOL tires - $140.00 Rear Axel 3.73 - $50.00 Ashtray $30.00 Total Options $1570.00 Destination Charge 650.00 Total Vehicle Price was $34,115.00 With $2500.00 Consumer Rebate $500.00 Bonus Rebate ($3000.00 total) I bought this vehicle for $28000.00

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  my third suburban - 1990 Chevrolet Suburban
  By fred work horse - November 11 - 2:00 am

  After owning this truck for 5 years the paint job went. I have had 3 suburban. 1977, 1979 and 1990. All three started to leave a blue smoke after starting the truck after 50,000 miles. It goes away. No harm. Dealer said dont wary about it. Otherwise truck run geat. Easy to work on and part are to get.

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  Simple and Reliable - 1999 Chevrolet Metro
  By Marvin Lindroth - November 11 - 2:00 am

  A very reliable car and ideal for commuting to work. It drives easily, is simple to park, and gets great gas mileage (45mpg: manual transmission). Carrying two or three adult passengers, the car has weak acceleration power, but with no adult passangers or one, the cars acceleration power is acceptable. No mechanical problems at all.

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  Very Versatile - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Young Student - November 11 - 2:00 am

  I am a college student, and I find the van very accommodating to my needs. I live 300 miles away from home, so long trips back are always emminent. The van is very comfortable to my long ventures and allows me many options. I can remove many seats and haul with the capabilities of a pick up truck, but get the gas milege of a full size car. Im also getting the height that I wanted from a SUV, but dont have to worry about the costly repairs 4 wheel drives require. I also can haul people that no other vehicle can compare to. I have had 9 prior cars trying to find the "perfect vehicle", and even though nothing is perfect, this is very close!!

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  A Dependable Ride - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By vikki - November 11 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Lumina for three years, having bought it new. Except for an alternator at 55,000 miles and routine maintenance, I havent had to do a thing.Solid road car, I put on a lot of miles per year. My daughter is getting this one for going back and forth to college while I buy another Lumina with lower miles. I wish they would rethink discontinuing this model--its the best car Ive ever owned.

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  Poor - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ftmjohn - November 11 - 2:00 am

  Stupid car! So loud i can hardly hear the radio.

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  Poor Quality and Service - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Yule-B-Sorry - November 11 - 2:00 am

  After replacing the engine manifold, transmission, starter, water pump, master cylinder, radiator all between 70-80,000 miles, my tahoe runs ok. Brakes are poor as have replaced 2 sets of rotors but am still on the original pads. The rear door leaks and needs a new gasket. This car is only used by my wife for daily trips to take the kids to school and other events. Dealings with GM customer service are like having a root canal. They are very good at the denial game. My mechanic who is now my best friend says that my problems are not uncommon with regards to the transmission, manifold and brakes. Not a car I recommend purchasing.