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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  Equa-Looser - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Equa-Looser - September 1 - 9:06 am

  Had the vehicle for 1,100 miles, discovered no oil in engine--Engine used excess oil, engine replaced by GM after some haggling, China must have forgotten to put in the piston rings Transmission Slips from time to time at low speeds Seat difficult to adjust to a comfortable position Left Arm Rest to low to properly rest elbow and hold steering wheel at cross member location of steering wheel Window seal too high and slants not allowing proper height adjustments and making elbow slip off easily Driver Seat difficult to adjust to a comfortable position Radio controls difficult to reach comfortably, purchase the steering wheel control option, it is worth it

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  Sorry car - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Sylvia gross - September 1 - 3:10 am

  I have had my 2012 for 6 months and the reliabilty is sad . It sounds lije a tractor running. Getting it fix is kije pulling your tooth without medication. Would not but or tell someone else to buy if it gives me any more problems will give it back.

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  2000 Impala LS - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Walter - September 1 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but problems from day one.First probems with keyless entry, receiver replaced, two computers replaced ,the dealer called GM, they told them it was the circiut board behind the instrument panel, problem solved. Next creeking noise when turning sharply to left and right. Dealer replaced steering rack, not the probem.Called GM, They told the dealer it was flex in the engine cradle. Not enough room for the rest of the problems.

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  Luminas are Great Cars! - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By happybooker1 - September 1 - 2:00 am

  And theyre good enough for the police! This is my 2nd Lumina since 98 -- & I drive the H**L out of my cars. The first Lumina had 75000 miles on it when it was wrecked this one has 91,000 & still going strong! No major maintainence problems with either one -- just routine brake maintainence, oil changes, etc. As a matter of fact, I just had the FIRST tuneup done on this LTZ in June -- the car had 86000 miles on it then!!

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  2001 Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By shinija - September 1 - 2:00 am

  This is the best vehicle we have ever owned.We get 19 mpg which is very good for a vehicle this size.No problems with this vehicle with 18k on the odometer.Very reliable, will never own less!

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  S-10 - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Mac Daddy - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Can very relible and can take a beating.No matter how much u abuse the truke it will keep on running stong.

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  Love my Astro - 1990 Chevrolet Astro
  By Bev Burger - August 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Astro new off the lot with 40 miles on it. I now have over 221,000 miles on it. I have traveled all over the U.S. in my van, I pull a 1968, 16ft camper with it, it takes me up to the ski resorts in the winter and drives me on the beach at the ocean. I love my van. Even if I get something else to drive I plan to keep my little van.

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  fooled - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By miffed - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Had a chevy z-24 prior to buying the standard 2 door coupe and loved it!! So much has gone wrong with this car I dont even know where to start. The transmision is new, the engine gasket, numerous brake problems, water pump, new trunk latch, alternator, and much more that I am forgeting about at the moment. I am so fed up with chevy that I now refuse to buy another GM product!!! I would advise any one looking into buying a car to stay away from the cavalier. The only good thing about the car is the sticker price but you will end up paying alot more.

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  1999 LS Chevy Astro - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By Hector Contreras - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Very dependable, lots of power, and a very quiet and comfortable ride.

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  BuyingWifeOdyssey,So I CanDrive theTruck - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By volfan - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Purchased 3 months ago to replace my 15 year old SSE, and I cant get my wife out of the drivers seat. We have put 6800 miles on the truck and LOVE IT. Need to replace the 96 minivan now so the warranty does expire within 18 months. LET ME DRIVE THE TRUCK!!! Bose sound system is worth the $$$ esp. in DRIVER mode. Have had one mechanical problem to date: Pressure switch on AC, shutdown compressor on a hot day. Minor trim issue on rear hatch. No rattles - SOLID. Not as much storage behind 2nd row (w/3rd row flat) as most minivans, but it is what it is, a mid-sized SUV. Being 66", there is plenty of room up front. Have gotten 21 mpg on highway.