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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  Corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By user3 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  It is a awesome car.

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  Fun For Me - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By talon - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Fast, agile, and very fun to drive. This is my 13th Corvette and this is by far the best riding and handling one I have ever had. Pricy at MSRP but well worth it compared to Porsche etc

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  REAL HAPPY SO FAR - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By PAULARGETYPE - May 2 - 10:00 am

  LETS SEE I LIKE A LOT ABOUT THIS TRUCK I GOT RED WITH OUT THE FENDER FLAIRS IT LOOKS GREAT ALSO THE ALUM. WHEELS CLEAN UP EASY AND LOOK GREAT ITS GOT GREAT POWER IN THE 5.3 VORTC ENGINE I LIKE THE RAIDO AND OTHER CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL THE CUP HOLDERS ARE EASY TO GET AND AND ARE NOT IN THE WAY THE REAR DOORS ARE EASY TO OPEN AND MAKE IT REAL EASY TO GET IN THE BACK SEAT

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  Great Engine, but everything else... - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By solid - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S-10 about 2 years ago from a friend. Ive put about $3500 into repairs in 2 years. The engine on the truck is great, but everything else seems to break down constantly. Had major problems with the fuel pump, brake booster, O2 sensors, and the front axel. The roof leaks very bad, and both door switches broke about a month after I got it. The washer fluid bin started leaking as well as the transmission fluid pan. Brakes have been a very big hassle also. The truck is very comfortable to drive, but thats about it. All in all I will NEVER ever buy another S-10.

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  nice car - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By theladiesman02 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  i love this car the best feeling is when you drive by a group of people and they all turn there heads there a few lil nickle and dimes problems but overall its a good car

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  nice - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By j.c. - May 2 - 2:00 am

  the only thing i would suggest would be better brakes

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  V6 5spd - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By georgia boy - May 2 - 2:00 am

  This is truly a great car. Its fun to drive, looks great, gets great mileage, and never breaks. My wife and I have put 35k on it without ever having to repair anything other than a pulley. We need a four-door, and I hope whatever I get is as reliable as this has been.

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  So far, So good????? - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By DustyRhodes - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I own a 2000 coupe and love it. Unfortunately, Ive managed to put 43,000 miles on it in just 18 months. Ive already expired out of the warranty and am crossing my fingers. So far no problems with the car. My one dissappointment is the $ value 18 months into my purchase. If only pure American Muscle kept its appreciation Id be all over a 2002!

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  van- tastic - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By bob 66 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I love the van. it has been reliable we have driven across the country from NY to New Orleans to las vegas. No problems

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  Not bad, but not the best - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By annm - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car used with an extended warranty a week ago. From what I can tell so far, it has decent pickup, a nice look, and ample features. I heard it doenst always handle well, but I dont find that to be the case. It could be bc of the tires bc on this car theyre wider than the standard.