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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  Nice Truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Eg - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my S-10 in 2000 and have had no problems to date with it. Regular oil and maintence changes are all that has been required. Fuel economy is excellent. The interior could use some upgrading, but if you use your truck alot in dirty conditions its easy to clean.

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  Big Red Review - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Big Red - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The ZR-2 package makes for a nice looking vehicle. My problems to date have been with build quality. Things seem to fit together poorly and the paint had a major factory flaw that I didnt notice until I brought the vehicle home. GM would not stand behind it and the BBB Arbitration process is a joke.

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  Towing, Hauling & Feeling Good - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Rick Waterman - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was the perfect fit for a family of six that camps, hauls gear, drives to vacation destinations, and tows a boat. Nice features and ride make it feel like a luxury vehicle, but the marvel is in the engineering and safety.

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  If only.............. - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dakota - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The car is an absolute joy to drive. Abundant power, adequate creature comforts and stunning performance/handling. Unfortunately it burns oil. 1qt for every 1500 miles. If GM could only address this problem without the need to prove that it is happening.

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  Wonder Car - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By william_Tarasen - April 17 - 2:00 am

  5700 miles on the 02 Z06. Averaging 25.6 MPG, over 30 on trips. Great road car, comfortable, pulls moutains in 6th gear with ease. Digital cruise is a charm. Car is noisy on rough roads without insulation but does an exceptional job of not beating you up. 1-4 shift around town is a pain, I find myself either exceeding 3000 RPM or doing a 1-3 shift. It is by far the most fun/powerful/best handling car I have ever driven.

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  First Impressions - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By New Owner - April 16 - 9:43 am

  I have had the truck for about 1 week. Has the 5300 310 HP motor, Z71, trailer towing, LT1 amenities. Has plenty of power.40/20/40 bench seat is very comfortable on my lower back. Rides pretty good for a 4X4. One important thing for me was when you pop the hood nearly all of the engine components are accessible. With the electric cooling fans it opens up the engine compartment tremendously. If you had to perform any repairs yourself in the future, at least you can get to most of the components.Keeps the frustration level down. I do have a problem with the fit of the doors. The passenger door does not shut tight to the seal on the rear door.Alignment on drivers door is poor also.

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  1997 Venture - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Abraham - April 16 - 2:00 am

  Numerous electrical problems. Power door faild constantly. Rear window wiper stopped working one month after purchase and the dealer never could find the cause. Many squeaks and rattles.

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  My Beretta Indy - 1990 Chevrolet Beretta
  By MAJ28 - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, its 13 years old and still looking nice. Cheap to repair in most cases. Lots of power.

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  Solid powertrain / Weak electrical - 1994 Chevrolet Astro
  By Techima - April 16 - 2:00 am

  This Van has never left me stranded. I played in a band and used this vehicle to tow 4000lbs of equipment for 40,000 miles. Ive had to replace the AC compressor because of GMs poor quality. The electrical system is now going a little haywire and the plastic AC vents break easy. The rearview mirror falls off every winter. Some of the power locks will not lock.

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  The Tracker Experience - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Andre Leniore - April 16 - 2:00 am

  The fuel economy, mobility, flexibility and durability is very good.