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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  96 Caprice Classic wagon - 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
  By J Augie - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Purchased car new. In addition to regular maintenance: 2/97 serviced engine emission at 22239 mi 5/98 replaced digital gage cluster due to dim display at 39483 mi 3/99 serviced engine emission at 48399 mi 3/00 serviced auto load leveling suspension at 56156 mi 9/01 replaced oil cooler line at 61466 mi 3/01 replaced air hose to rear auto leveling air shocks at 63322 mi.

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  nice first car - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By ki - May 8 - 2:00 am

  very reliable car, i love it for a first car

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  Nice Ride - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tennessee Traveler - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehicle as program car with 24000. Now have over 40000 of relatively trouble free driving.Only problems air conditioning condencer leak (repaired under warranty) and warped front brake rotors.Have been to Fla and back several times, as well as trips to Oklahoma and New Jersey. All comfortable, trouble free and excellent mileage on highway at 70-75 mph(28-33+).

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  GM bumper to bumper is a joke - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By DougJ - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I have a five day old Prism. The battery has a clear eye (low acid level) GM refuses to replace this battery unless I have a cranking problem. Delco battery is shocked that the battery is not being replaced. Delcos battery imfo from the internet states that a clear or yellow battery eye do not recharge, replace battery. This is GMs idea of bumper to bumper coverage, what a disgrace. Bill Heard Chevrolet is going to change this battery because they want to do the right thing. My local dealer refused to change the battery, because GM would not pay them. Buyer beware of GM and their coverage.

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  BIG MISTAKE - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Michael A. Reniger - May 8 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was a BIG mistake. I never should have purchased it! The salesman at Ocean City Chevrolet in Shallotte, NC. Was a LIAR! This vehicle is worthless in its resale & trade-in value. My suggestion would be to anyone looking to buy a Chev. Tracker, BY A FORD!

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  My Malibu is Great! - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ET - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I drive 60-120 miles most days, and this car is great. Ive had very few problems with the vehicle, and Id recommend it to anyone.

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  Manifold Gasket Failure - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By mariposaken - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Until now, Ive been pretty happy with my 1999 Chevrolet Venture LT. But on May 6, 02, I found out that the manifold gasket has failed & replacement gaskets are on a nation wide back order. Service at Anderson Chev. in Los Gatos, CA have no idea when the repair will be made. I have a rental car for the duration. I was told the manifold is made of aluminum & the engine block is made of cast iron. The two metals expand and contract at different rates stressing the manifold gasket. Long term prognosis: frequent manifold gasket replacement.

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  asdfjkl - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dwr84 - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle has over a 100,000 miles and still done little to no work.

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  Watch Out! - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JKBaumgard - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Head gasket leaked coolant into engine with only 48,000 miles on engine. This is happening on other six cylinder Malibus too. GM would not offer help in paying for repairs.

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  Far and away the best Camero - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By BillPennock - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1986 IROC before this and at about 50,000 miles everything seemed to get worse on it. The handling just went away and by 80,000 miles it was a wreck running. I have 115,000 miles on this Z28 and I drive it just as hard and its still handling great, runs great and the outside still looks great. The inside is beginning to fall apart but a few bucks and it will be back to just fine.