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:

• 

  My Third Camaro - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Third Camaro Kid - March 25 - 2:00 am

  This is the best camaro yet. Ive had a 70 and a 77. This handles great, gets super mileage (26 MPG around town with the 3.4L V-6 and 5-Speed manual transmission). Nothing to complain about - I just enjoying driving 80-85 on the highway knowing that the car sticks to the road.

• 

  too much maintenance - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Thumbsdown - March 25 - 2:00 am

  In 5 years have put in over $3000.00 worth of repairs. Transmission rebuilt at 60K miles and again at 93K miles. Many problems with U-joints, upper and lower ball joints, and idler arms. Engine makes a high-pitched squeal when idle and when stopped. No passenger side air-bag.

• 

  Unhappy Customer - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By japonica - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Malibu for 11mos and have changed rotors twice-the first time was the day after I drove the car off the lot. My automatic doorlocks, lock/unlock when I drive. My hazard lights and turning signals work sometimes. Overall I like the car & have gotten used it but the trouble I have to go through to leave it at the dealer for repairs is incovenient. My gripe is with the manufacturer. The car needs to be recalled. My father is a Chevy-man. He has owned a El Camino and currently owns a Corvette, S10 Pick-up, and 2001 Blazer. So, I went from Toyota to Chevy. Im not a converted fan. Matter of fact, I plan to trade-in this one soon.

• 

  1999 S-10 ZR-2 5-Speed - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By Very Pleased - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Best vehicle Ive ever owned. Zero defects from the factory and a grand total of ONE in three years. I liked it so much I bought a ZR-2 Blazer for my girlfriend.

• 

  Good Little Car!! - 1992 Chevrolet Beretta
  By NewtonGTZ - March 24 - 2:00 am

  I love my Beretta! All the websites say that I should only be getting around 30 mpg, but I can average 35mpg on anyday of the week!! I have the Base beretta with the 2.2ltr mated with the 5 speed manual. The car has more acceleration that I could ever ask for and I can beat alot of cars with twice the engine I have!

• 

  1999 S-10 ZR-2 5-Speed - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Very Pleased - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Ill be 50 this year and this is easily the best built vehicle I have ever owned. It came from the factory with zero defects and with three years of use in Anchorage, Alaska, which isnt the easiest climate on vehicles, it had a whopping total of one defect in three years. Excellent job Chevy.

• 

  perfect - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ed Mccaffery - March 24 - 2:00 am

  its awesome

• 

  Awesome sports car...fun in Florida - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SuprSpdDB7 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  this is just a superb car!

• 

  Excellent Purchase - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Aqua Man - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Great van! Best new vehicle purchase I have ever made. Convenient functions and great view of road.

• 

  Chevrolet Malibu - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jennifer moos - March 24 - 2:00 am

  I am a social worker and needed a 4 door sedan that is priced within my means. This is excellant vaule,and the workmen ship is excellent.