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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  SS FUN - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By EMO - July 12 - 10:00 am

  On delivery-no scratches, wax on car, hand dirt in interior (poor prep), car jumps (low end torque), rides good on highway and turns are fun, 27.3 mpg on first tank (premium only), lots of looks, everyone speeds up when they see you, wheels are easy to clean (even the back of the wheels). This is a fun car that looks, rides, and runs like a champ-your reviewer can have all the Japanese refinement he wants- Ill take the FUN!

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  Lemon - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By beenLemonized - July 12 - 2:00 am

  My first truck was a 4 cyl manual s-10 that I owned for a year with no problems. My second one was a 1996 4.3 v6 LS that needed a rebuilt transmission. I purchased another one in 98 and I have had to replace: Starter Turn signal flasher Drive shaft AC compressor Dryer Water pump Tensioner arm Power Booster Whenever I bring it in for service the mechanic is never surprised. A $20,000 truck should be FAR more reliable than the s-10. I have contacted General Motors several times about the reliability of this truck and they have ignored ALL of my correspondence.

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  Great 4x4 truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By REDI - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Good solid riding and handling truck. Got 19 MPG average on an 80mph trip to Colorado from California and back. Traveled 160 miles of dirt roads across N. Nevada deserts with no problems.

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  Shiny Package- rotten core - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CSP - July 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this Malibu used as a second car for work because of its attractive price and great standard features. I thought I got a steal, but Ive since changed my mind. Three months after purchasing this car, which had new pads at the time, they had to be replaced. Three months later the ABS light came on- needs a new sensor which requires a complete hub assembly: $500. Check engine light came on- needed wiring replaced: $100. AC started to act up- needed new control panel: $250. Based on what Ive heard it sounds like Im just seeing the tip of the iceberg on this one. Good thing my other car is an import.

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  Great Van - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Cheesehauler - July 12 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Venture and we will quite likely buy another. TONS of room, great gas milage, huge gas tank. Power sliding door is great and easy to use.

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  First Sport Appearance Package - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By C AFranz - July 12 - 2:00 am

  We bought it with every option from dealers inventory. We much prefer th rear appearance with the Silver sport appearance package The steering wheel controls are nice, the hands free cell phone great and the seat controls very functional. I could use lower mounted cup holders in the doors and of course, more HP. The highway mileage is outstanding with one trip at 33 mpg using cruise control.

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  Great Truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By xjtkzx - July 12 - 12:36 am

  Bought my truck used in January of 2013 with 53xxx miles. I took the truck into a dealer to have a used car inspection done and was told i had a bad intermediate steering shaft which was a $70 fix, which isnt bad. After having my truck for about six months i got a notification saying tighten fuel cap then my engine light came on, i had it reset at an auto parts place then a month or two later it came on again so i went back and the guy told me it was a sensor under my fuel tank. Other than that this truck is great! Its only a 2wd but this thing can go anywhere and has such a smooth ride.

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  Spark EV - 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV
  By austina - July 11 - 11:53 pm

  Read the comparative C&D review of all electrics that rated Spark #1, then bought it 4 weeks ago, havent driven our other cars since, it is a blast, fast, great handling, amazing interior space given tiny outside (I am 6-3). 85 miles range at 65, tried fast freeway trip at 75 to 80, range drops to 65 or so. Why doesnt Chevrolet push this car, it is excellent value with fed rebate, a modern day VW bug.

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  corsica LT - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Vall - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Corsica LT for about 4 years and my parents owned it before me. It now has 117,000 miles and it and i love it. i had it repainted and it looks great. i havent had any major problems with it. i love chevy and everything they make.

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  chevy Impala - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By bayuvar - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performance but the subcarriage had to be replaced under warranty. Some problem with the steering [??} makes a noise but was told by dealer not to worry. Now Chevy has some retrofit kit and it has been installed still some noise though.