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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  My Tracker - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By tazzisilva - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I looked around a lot before I decided on this vehicle. It is fun to drive, looks great, and is getting great gas mileage. No rattles, smooth on bumpy roads, and the audio system is great! The air conditioner works well and quickly. The engine is very accessible, which should help with labor costs down the line. Water, power steering pumps are easy to get to, and the stabilizer bar over the engine is a good feature.

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  NEW 2002 - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jetskiace - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Just bought our 2002 Malibu and very happy with it.In 1989 bought a Corsica (V6) new and still own with 157,000 miles, bought a new 1992 Chevy S-10 4x4 pick-up(V6) now has 110,000 on it, this is my 3rd new GM car in 13 years, also leased a 1996 S-10 Blazer for 3 years, all great cars/trucks for me. Maintain them and they run for alot of miles, my youngest girl will be driving the Corsica soon and see no reason why we cant see 250,000 miles on it.

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  Autoride Alert - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By AlexP - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Beware. Do NOT get the Autoride option on this vehicle. I have had mine to the dealership three times because the vehicle is extremely unstable. It feels like the vehicle is in a constant crosswind and the driver has to fight to keep it on the road. My wife is afraid to drive it. Any road irregularity and it bobs, wiggles and undulates while trying to wander right or left. The autoride system is constantly trying to keep the vehicle level or adjust to the road but it ends up causing gyrations that frighten me. Instead of being relaxed after driving it I am stressed and on edge. Autoride in my opinion is unsafe and a hazard. DO NOT get the autoride

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  Z24 Owner prosective - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Caviler - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Good over all, love the power the car delivers with the v6. Easy to spin tires causes to loose control of vechile. Slim to nil on the blind spots because roof is high. Basic interior but over all good car.

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  TRANSMISSION - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By CAROL MONTOYA - May 1 - 2:00 am

  TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS,MEVERY YEAR, THE ELECTRICAL, GAS PEDAL STICKS, THE TIRES ARE FACTORY ONLY.

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  $$$$uburban - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By 737Captain - May 1 - 2:00 am

  In the last 12 months of ownership: FAILURES: two transmissions, alternator, brakes, ignition, fuel injection, water pump, rear axle bearings, air conditioning. Repair costs: $6800. Mileage now: 74000.

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  my review - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By zachary - May 1 - 2:00 am

  my exsperianse is preety good so far i love it.

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  Dont Waste Your Money! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Jon Sarver - April 30 - 4:00 pm

  This car has been a lemon. It has 62,000 miles on it and we have had the water pump go out, a fuel pump fail, the real view mirror falls off, the back seat breaks. The interior is fraying and has been since 30,000 miles. The gas mileage is good on the open highway, but less than 18 miles per gallon in the city. The GM President admitted that the company cut corners the last several years in production. This car is a perfect example of numerous corners that have been comprormised to pay for expensive union health car and retirement.

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  Watch out Toyota. The Malibu is Back! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Armando - April 30 - 12:00 pm

  GM has finally turned it around. The Malibu is once again a great car to own. It rides quiet, the interior is great, and the 4 cylinder engine with the 6 speed auto has great power! I test drove the Camry, Accord, and Maxima and found that the Malibu blew all of them out of the water!

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  Great Truck - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By cbb8490 - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought by S-10 new and have put 90,000 miles on it in 3 years.I have put this truck through some hard driving and have had no problems at all. With the 2.2L I obvioulsly dont have the power but I knew that before I bought the truck. The only problem I have had is the reclining lever has broke on both seats but that seems to be the case with most reviews, I agree this should be a recall and GM should replace the contraption all together. But an overall great ride and dependable. The is my 2nd S-10 I also had a 97 that I put 60,000 miles on. I would not hesitate to buy another. But I think I will go with the 4.3L next time.