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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  Try It! Youll Buy It - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bud - October 16 - 2:43 am

  I traded in a 99 STS. Im very happy with my new SS. Power, comfort is all there. I had torque steer B4 you learn to drive with it. Sideview mirrors are much more aero than the ones on the STS.Side curtins great saftey improvment. Engine very smooth and much quicker than the STS. Dont like the trim around the dash and the unfinished door jams,still a nice car.

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  Better than Ford - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dmitriy Melkumov - October 16 - 2:00 am

  I got very good deal on it only $4000 and i didnt expect to see a lot of difference between my Ford Contour and this one. I was mistaken . This is defently a better car overall. Espessialy in build quality. I didnt have the car for a long time so i have nothing to say about reliability. Its working now at least...And if you like to listen to music change the front speakers. It cost only around $ 50.

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  95 ST Blazer - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By timbo - October 16 - 2:00 am

  The truck still runs like new-very smooth and doesnt use oil, but its loosing power and thats killing the gas milage. There were actually very few repairs until 140,000 miles and then several very major things went wrong. The egr valve which had been replaced one before, failed again. This time the dealer removed the intake and cleaned the cross over passage which was largly blocked. At the same time he noticed that the fuel regulator (or some related component) was leaking. The entire bill came to $900. ouch. We also had to replace the fuel pump. Twice. Luckly the dealer waranteed the pump the second time. $1,100. ouch.

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  95 ST Blazer - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Timbo - October 16 - 2:00 am

  The truck still runs like new-very smooth and doesnt use oil, but its loosing power and thats killing the gas milage. There were actually very few repairs until 140,000 miles and then several very major things went wrong. The egr valve which had been replaced one before, failed again. This time the dealer removed the intake and cleaned the cross over passage which was largly blocked. At the same time he noticed that the fuel regulator (or some related component) was leaking. The entire bill came to $900. ouch. We also had to replace the fuel pump. Twice. Luckly the dealer waranteed the pump the second time. $1,100. ouch.

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  Best minivan on the road - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Andrew Tourneur - October 16 - 2:00 am

  Comfterable ride, smooth driving, excelent reaction time, good handleing in the summer and winter (depending on tire) including traction features.

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  Big space in small package - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By GaryODS - October 16 - 2:00 am

  We bought this rig to save us some fuel (also have a Dodge 1500). We bought the 2.0 L inline 4. While its a little weak, it makes up for it by being frugel. We broke this one in fast and loose crusing in the 75-85 MPH range from CA to Denver and back. At 80+ we were getting 25+ MPG Im 66" and this was the only mini SUV we found that had enough leg room for me (barely). We are satisified with it so far.

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  great van - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By doom - October 16 - 2:00 am

  very fun to drive, has much better ride than the dodge or ford mini vans.

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  310 Horses never felt soooo good - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Terry - October 15 - 4:36 pm

  I traded my 2002 LS because it was underpowered and this cars PERFECT. Its just what the boredom doctor ordered. The fun starts when you hit the accelerator. Gas mileage is about 18.2 but who cares. the exhiliration is worth 10mpg. Reminds me a little of my 67 GTO except it was rear wheel drive. Love the leather and XM but most impressive is the diagnostic center. All 4 tire pressures? Cant get much better than that. If youre looking for a sleeper, come drive this car, you wont regret it.

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  Chevy should be ashamed - 1996 Chevrolet Express
  By DadofFour - October 15 - 2:00 am

  We have owned this Chevy G1500 conversion van for 16 months. We purchased the vehicle with only 62000 miles. Today the odometer reads 76000 miles. In the past 16 months we have spent $600 to replace the breaks TWICE, $1700 on a new transmission, $700 on the a/c (condensor) and $200 on a water pump. Thats $3200 in 16 months with the fear of more to come.

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  1st CAR FOR DAUGHTER - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By mrfixit - October 15 - 2:00 am

  This has been a good car for my daughter. The price was right, gas mileage is very good and after having it for 4 years cant complain. Ive had to replace two alternators though, seems like every two years they go out.