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:

• 

  Great Truck! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By toolman - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I just got this truck after looking at blazers, jeeps, pathfinders and more. I wanted something with four doors, 4 wheel drive, and room to haul "stuff" around. I ended up chooseing the S10 Crew Cab because it essentially has the same room for 5 passengers as the smaller SUVs. With the box and the added custom topper I have almost as much room as my old Van when the third seat was removed (Windstar - not sad to see that go!) Possibly more! I needed more towing power, and didnt want something that was going to kill me at the gas pump. So far I love the truck! Time will tell.

• 

  love my impala - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By mz - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I am a realtor and drive alot of miles with customers. This is a nice automobile to drive in winter with icy, snow packed roads. It holds the road well, imparting a feeling of safety for passengers. It is comfortable easy to get in and out of. I really like my Impala and am thinking of buying the 2003 model. My only complaint is the road noise.

• 

  No Problems - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By LoveGM - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Had this car from day one. Great riding car. We drive long trips every summer and have had nor problems. We now have 108,000 miles on it, and only have had to replace the water pump. The brakes still seem to be a problem for GM, but change them yourself and its not that bad. Went through two sets of rotors within the 15,000 miles. Once I started changing them myself found out that it would only cost me $100 a year for new pads and rotors. Interior is nice and comfortable, however the rattles and other noises can get on your nerves after a while.

• 

  Junk! - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By nascarfan - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle ate batteries, ball joints fuel injecters and fuel pumps. Had to fix several oil leaks. It rides like a lumber truck, which makes the interor ratal and squeek and fall apart.

• 

  Booorrrinnngggg - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ibngneer - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This is your grandfathers SUV. Or at least it was mine. Its function, yet extremely boring. Corners like a boat, rides (floats) like a Buick.

• 

  Best Buy SUV with comfort in its class - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Bobay - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the top of the line 98 blazer LT model with leather and loved its comfort and room. In fact it was too much room for a single bachelor but I took 2 - 1000 mile trips that seemed easy. I sold it only because I needed better gas mileage for driving to work.

• 

  After driving for 11k miles, still strong - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Corey - September 12 - 8:03 pm

  This is my first truck. As a hunter, homeowner, and a father, I needed 4wd, a truck bed, and 4 full doors for my family. This is the perfect family vehicle. No mini-van for me. Ive put 11,000 miles on it and its still riding smooth as day 1. I bought it 4 months old with 6,000 miles on it. Ive hauled 1,250lbs of brick and dirt and tow my 2,200lbs boat in hot South Carolina summers with A/C cranked, without issue. I only wish I wouldve waited 3 more months for the standard 100,000 mile warranty. Ill just put my trust in Chevy to make a truck that will make it to 100,000 miles without major repair. Great truck!

• 

  Awesome - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Wayne - September 12 - 2:36 am

  I havent owned a Camaro since the first body style change, but this is the one yet.

• 

  IMPALA 2000 - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By jshort - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Plenty of room, Great reide and 32MPG>, What more do you want with no problems!!

• 

  No problems....but one... - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MS - September 12 - 2:00 am

  This car has been good to me. It has only been in the shop once. The intake gasket was leaking coolant. I realized that this was probably happening from the 2nd year on and could have gotten it fixed under the warranty, but now have to pay $600. So warning to new Malibu owners to have it tested. Again, besides this I have no complaints, it has been a reliable car that still looks good.