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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  Great Truck - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By jjb - October 30 - 2:00 am

  My S-10 has been a great truck. I have had it now for 8 years and in that time it has only let me down one time. (Dead Battery) When I get in I know it is going to start and take me wher I need to go. The only problem I have had with it is brackets that hold the torsion bar cross-member have broke a couple of times. That dosent leve you stranded but you still have to fix it.

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  lot of power in a small package - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By TRST.NO.1 - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought myself this truck for christmas last year after the trans. went out in my lumina (115,000 miles). I love this thing. the truck is perfect. except for one thing. i wish it had a tad more power from the factory. maybe a high flow exhaust or underdrive pulleys. both of which would also increase gas mileage.

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  Great SUV - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dan22000 - October 30 - 2:00 am

  My father bought me a 1995 LT 4WD blazer, and i love it. Ive put about 8000 miles on it, and i have had no problems. The Vortec V6 is a great engine with so much power, the Delco sound system is also great. Off road it is a beast, but with a big engine the gas mileage is around 16-17 MPG, but other than that im am very happy with the SUV.

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  Watch out for the exploding windows - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Stacia Allen - October 30 - 2:00 am

  This has got to be the worst possible car ever. Ive had the drivers window and the rear window explode so far. No one was around - nothing hit the windows. Just exploded while I was driving. The coolant light comes on everytime I make a sharp left hand turn. My windows leak like crazy whenever it rains. Ive had it into the dealership 3 times regarding this matter. They told me to roll the window up first then shut the door to help it seal - still doesnt help.I could tell you for hours the things that are wrong. This is just some of the big stuff. Only some of it-I havent even got started.

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  Iains Review - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By iaind - October 30 - 2:00 am

  Always starts and goes. Needed new brake rotors all round after 40000 miles and a new battery shortly after. Door speakers replaced due woofer blown.No other problems. Very comfortable with leather seats, I cant see the complaint about the rear seats - they feel just fine for me. Driving ondeeply rutted off-road tracks may set up an oscillation of the shocks/rear suspension but generally effective drive ability in 2&4 WD. Corners well enough if required.

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  We love our tank - 1991 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ruckmanite - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought the burb in 99 with 107000 miles on it. Since then, new lower ball joints, heater core, blower motor, brakes, usual stuff. The best thing about this old beast is its easy to repair. The thing runs fantastic, gets 16-17 mpg on the hwy, and tows a 3000lb popup with ease. My wife hit a 240 lb deer at 55 mph with it. Damaged the fender, hood, and passenger door. Praise God she was in this ride instead of the Accord, as it would have wound up in her lap. If you can find an old 91 in good shape, it will not dissapoint you. We are currently looking at newer ones, but this one has been so reliable we hesitate to part with it.

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  Very Nice Car - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Havoc55 - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, Im 6 foot 5 inches tall and i fit in this car good. The car drives great and the engine sounds great for a 1995, I havent had to replace many parts, just some lights and new brakes when they went that about it. It is a good reliable car,and it looks really cool and has a good size engine in it.

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  Representive of all? Or an expection? - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dracos - October 29 - 2:00 am

  After much researching and talking to actual drivers I decided to buy a 1995 Chevy Suburban in 8/00 with 67K on the clock. By 12/00 1K in repairs, between 7/01 and 9/01 8K in repairs including a new engine. I love the utility that it gives the family! My problem is with all the maint/repair costs. I thought that JEEP ment: Just Empty Every Pocket! Not Chevy!

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  dependable - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Iowaguy - October 29 - 2:00 am

  car gets great gas milage , sound system good, heater good , air cond good , peppy get up when needed, looks sharp my car has the traction control great in Iowa winters very reliable .Negative - Seat belt restraint cheap needs replaced , plastic parts cheap had to replace passanger air vent positioner, foam densisty in front seats need to be more firm as it settles and you swing to get out of car the metal seat bracket catches your clothes. overall should be rated at an 7.8

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  Content - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By emac - October 28 - 2:00 am

  A good compromise in power and economy for anyone who spends a lot of time behind the wheel but still has a frequent need for a truck. With the optional 4.3L V6 the power is there to carry or tow most most things. Not a substitute for full size trucks in that department. Reliability has been a plus as has been my experience with other S-10s Ive owned.