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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  S10 - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By s10user - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Truck has been very reliable. 2WD 4.6 191 hP LACKS POWER to head off road but makes a great in-town small truck.

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  They dont make them like this anymore - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ryan Yinkey - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This is an extremly nice truck, it has more then enough power to tow a heavy load and accerate like you wouldnt believe with the 4.3L. Its a very reliable truck and will do anything you ask it. Extremly reliable, weve had this truck for about 9 years and still runs like its brand new. Take care of this truck and it will take care of you

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  Old Reliable - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By MichJD - October 22 - 2:00 am

  After 9 years of this car, Im still not ready to give it up. Comfortable, roomy, great value for the money, and reliable as a Swiss watch. No drive train/transmission/radiator/AC problems. Early problems with the brakes, of course. Replaced a ball joint or two and some struts. I wish Chevy still made this car.

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  1999 - Chevy Prizm - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Tomcated - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I got the prizm bran new from the dealer and since then it has not fail me, I have about 120,000 miles on it and it still runs like new. I like it because it does what it needs to do, take me to work and back. Fuel economy is good. It came loaded with CD player, sunroof, power everything, driver, passenger and side airbags. Yes, there is little run on the back, but I am the only one who drives, so who cares. I dont care what people think of the prizm, I like it and its going to be hard to get rid of this car.

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  1992 Convertible - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By NJ VETTE - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Have a 1992 Convertible with the removable fiberglass top. This car has been great overall. I am relatively rough on cars (acceleration etc) and the vette holds its own. The tranny went around 78K which was a big suprise (as my brothers 1987 has 150K miles and is still on the original tranny). Even with the tranny I still think this car will last another 3 years easy.

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  2003 Monte Carlo - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By DawnA - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven Pontiacs for the past 7 years and was planning to purchase another one until I test drove a 2003 Monte Carlo. I loved the get up and go it had and just had to buy it. The sleak body and style blew me away. I am also impressed that it gets just as good gas mileage as the pontiac did.

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  This is a truck ?? - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By PA Jay - October 22 - 2:00 am

  You will not believe this is a truck when you ride in it. It rides like a full sized car (comfortable). I was pleasantly surprized at the pep this truck had for its big size.

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  White Stallion - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JESART - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is great! I have a summit white Malibu LS, and I drive it to work 90MI one way, and have never had any problems. I have changed the oil, and rotated tires. I love how it picks up when entering the freeway. Good engine!

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  2001 Silverado Z-71 Ext Cab. - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Daubs - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding truck from the minute I purchased it. 5.3L v8 has tons of power and great fuel economy (15 around town and over 18 on highway). Interior is well designed with clear, easy to read guages. Mechanical and exterior has held up well. No trips to the service department yet.

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  Great Purchase I believe - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Kenton - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1990 Chevy Corsica LT from a private owner, its my first car. So far this car has been great, it gets great gas mileage, has a good amount of miles, well-maintained interior and exterior, original owner sold it, original paint. Overall Excellent buy I think for me!