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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  What out for the Head Gaskets - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Leardron - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car since it was brand new in 96. It has 73,000 miles on it and the Head Gasket went. Its going to cost me a pretty $700 to get it fixed. The mechanic doing the work said that Corsicas are notorious for this. He alone has replaced 25 head gaskets on Coriscas. If you buy one, what out for it.

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  95 Chevy Cavalier RF - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rick Frost - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I was surprised how reliable this car has been considering all the horror stories Ive heard about GM cars. Only one major repair in the 7 years Ive owned it. The solenoid for the transmission failed at 83,000. The car was still driveable, but would get stuck in overdrive on the highway. Engine would then die upon deceleration. Body and paint are still looking like new. Would consider another Cavalier if crash test performance were better.

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  Good for a first car - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Krista - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I am 16 and my parents bought me my cavalier. It had 115,000 miles on it when I bought it! It is a 96! Despite the high miles, it has been nothing but reliable. Being a teenage girl and not knowing a lot about cars I need a car I can depend on. I can depend on this car.

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  The Last American Sports Car - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By C. LaBianco - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Amid a host Italian and New Jersey jokes I bought by 98 camaro as a step up from my 93 Eagle Talon. 106,00 miles and 4 1/2 years later and I can only sing the praises of this vehicle. The styling is fantastic and GM did it without a bunch of plastic glued to the doors. The v6 200 horse engine has more power than most cars on the road today - and while it wont compare off the line to its bigger engined brothers the Z28 and SS it can easily handle speeds of 80 and higher on the highway and still get 30+ miles to the gallon. This car hugs corners like nothing Ive ever driven. I opted for the v6 200 horse only because of insurance costs.

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  High Cost of Ownership - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Dissappointed - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I previously had a Suburban - which was almost zero trouble. The 1998 Tahoe by comparison has cost me almost $4,000 in various repairs. Brakes, AC Compressor, water pump and cooling system, computer & electronics. All was out of warranty when it happened. If you purchase a 1998 Tahoe, invest in an extended warranty. It may be well worth your money.

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  Solid and stable SUV - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Frank Landon - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Big and comfortable, great power, never gets stuck in snow, very stable in tight turns and on the highway. This truck gives you a commanding view of everything around you and great protection in collisions. My Tahoe was rear ended by a full size cadillac last year, and the Cadillac front end was totalled. My Tahoe only needed the bumper replaced ($300). Dependable truck.

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  I like My LS - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sblue - June 3 - 2:00 am

  The LS has great features for the money! The sound system is much nicer than on my 2000 Lincoln --- go figure!

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  Malibu is a great car - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sheila - June 3 - 2:00 am

  great price too - loads of comfort and fun to drive

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  Fun to drive and practical - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By cmuhlstein - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Most fun I ever had with a new car. Comfortable while appealing to my visceral senses. All in a package which can be serviced by any GM dealership and covered by optional GM extended warranty which can be purchased up to three years after initial put in service date.

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  Tahoe review - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Quentin Schraderq - June 3 - 2:00 am

  No problems and fun to drive. The best Tahoe ever made.