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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  Johns review! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By John18 - July 1 - 2:00 am

  My last truck was a s-10 a 95 4cl it really had no problems at all. With the 3000 rebate i just could not say no to a new one. This time i got the 4.3L V6 Sportside model so it can tow what i want and looks better than a regular s-10.

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  Excellent little pick up truck!! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Carlos - July 1 - 2:00 am

  This is the best little truck I have ever had, mine is a manual V6 so I love to smoke those sittle 4s and some of the other V6s.

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  The Lumina - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Buzsaw - July 1 - 2:00 am

  Our Lumina has been the most reliable and efficient vehicle we have ever owned. The 3.1 engine is economical and runs effortlessly (keep the oil changed and it will run forever). This vehicle is perfect transportation.

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  I would buy another one! - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Fulla - July 1 - 2:00 am

  I purchased it used in 2001 with 70k miles on it. It has 101k on it now and other than new brakes and a few oil changes I have had no problems with it.

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  Positive Experience - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By trenaldi - July 1 - 2:00 am

  I was concerned when purchasing because of the Consumer Reports below average reliability rating but the price was right so we went for it. Well five years later Im happy to report that not one thing has gone wrong with my Blazer (other than the normal stuff brakes, battery, tires etc.) I change the oil every 3k miles and follow the suggested maintenance.

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  LOVE IT!! - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By dem - July 1 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is so comfortable..it rides smooth, has great pick-up, can tow just about whatever you want, can fit lots of people comfortably. The only problem (other than sticker shock) is fuel economy.

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  Awesome car - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By james - June 30 - 9:06 am

  I purchased this Monte Carlo because I wanted a sporty 2 door. Very satisfied with the car and the power, features, and mileage. Couldnt ask for a better car for the money.

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  To the MAXX - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Cilia - June 30 - 8:03 am

  I absolutly love this car. It is a great car for the family without taking out style. It has good gas mileage, and I can always rely on it. Its a pleasant suprise. Its a plesure to drive and to look at. It can seat four to five people. It also much better than any SUV!

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  Hey mikey i think he likes it - 1996 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Z-26 Addict - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I do likes it i likes it alot. This is the second Beretta z-26 that I have had. I crashed/ totalled the first one. I really like this thing. It can keep with and beat a lot of cars and it resonably disguised as a small coupe with not a lot of but when you want it the power is definatley there. The car it self is just too heavy if they found a way to ligthen it by about 500 too 1000 pounds the thing would be a lot better.

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  Love My Truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Maoch - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Excelent truck. Good gas mileage for a truck. We live in the So. Cal. mountains and love the 4WD. We get good compliments all the time on the ride (like a car) and the looks of the vehicle. We highly recommend this truck.