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:

• 

  my review - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By al #1 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  its is relly fast and beautiful!

• 

  still great - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By chesterhd - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I love this ride. I have 117000 on it and only have had to deal with the dreaded clunk when starting from a complete stop. I had it checked by my local mechanic. He DID find a front universal joint going out, but everything else looked fine. It pulls trailers effortlessly and is comfortable enough to take a nap in on long trips where you need to stop for a quick nap. Bought car when it had 75000 on it. It was a lease up in Michigan. Some rust on bumpers and interior seat bolts, but nothing major. What ever happened to the standard undercoating all cars use to get. I guess that stopped in the 70s. LOL

• 

  2001 Cavalier - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Mike Nomura - June 4 - 2:00 am

  This American-made car has hade no problems during its first year! Sufficent for everyday driving. Gets 35.5 MPG 4AT. Uphill, too much gear hunting(up/downshifting). Solid rear axle needs to be independant for smoother rides. A/C is ice cold on max mode. Great value if without any options. Options depreciate to fast. Only large rebates would entice me for another Cav. Cheaper than a Accent/Rio with large rebate.

• 

  2001 Camaro SS - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SStunr1 - June 4 - 2:00 am

  I Had an Impala SS big and heavy but fast, never did I think I would trade it in for a sports car or at all. Until I started thinking this would be the last year for camaros and affordable chevy High Performance cars Since they dont make the Impala SS anymore. So I decided to test drive some camaros. I fell in love with a Black on Black SS 6 speed T- tops. Man I Loved my Impala SS but This Camaro SS really hit the spot.SS Owners Keep on Smoking them tires.

• 

  LoveMYBlazer - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By LoveMyBlazer - June 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car from a dealer with 10,000 miles on it. I never had a problem until I had to have the transmission rebuilt at 87,000 miles. But I had towed some rather heavy loads, and it never left me stranded just started shifting funny. I then replaced the alternator at about 102,000 miles and had a tune-up done at the same time. It now has 112,000 and is still going strong. I love this vehicle, but will need to sell it because I got married and my husband has a farm and we need a heavy duty pickup.

• 

  Nice Ride - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By AR - June 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had my blazer for about 6 months and it seems to be fine. Bought it used with 31,000 miles and have put another 8,000 miles on it with no problems. The only thing that did happen was a small oil leak with one of the rubber/metal hoses, I guess it is a common thing. I was fixed under warranty. I like the truck, but next time I think I will go bigger.

• 

  Very satisfied - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Glen Bartels - June 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for a little over six months with zero problems, something that Ive never experienced with any previous new car. Build quality is excellent. Ride and handling are excellent and the seats are fantastic. Ive been on two trips of more than ten hours and cannot believe how comfortable this car is.

• 

  questionable...... - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By big stank - June 3 - 2:00 am

  i hate to say it but i do have worries about my truck sometimes. its a great truck when it works.i bought it usedfrom a guy i know and it was in great condition - it was at 96500 miles and ran great till about 98000.at 98 i to drop a new starter in the new thing.soon after i put that in my service engine light came on. after copule of oxygen cencors it ran great to 100,000 miles where know it sits at the shop waiting a new trany cause it had a trans fulid leak.after visteding many trans shops almost every guy i talked to made it sounded very common. and other then my low lock not working now i hope i dont have any problems.good luck with yours

• 

  a nice size, but major mechanical issues - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mom of three - June 3 - 2:00 am

  i have three tall sons and they loved the burb when i purchased it for my birthday. i was impressed that it drove like a car, smooth. i have had problems since then: drive shaft fell out on the hiway, wires wrapped around the four wheel drive shaft, horn stopped working, signal lights had to be replace several times, replaced brakes and tires.

• 

  The SS Impala Floats On - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By BenS0SS - June 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is by far the best full-sized vehicle you can possibly purchase, with the possible exception of the BMW 7 series. It handles extremely well, accelerates like theres no tomrrow, and seats 5 adults without problems.