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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  Reliable and Practical - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By E. Sears - February 23 - 8:42 am

  I did lots of research before I bought this car, and it paid off. As many probably know, its basically a Corolla with a Chevy emblem slapped on it -it has the same great reliability as a Toyota but is significantly cheaper. I own the 5-spd manual, which accelerates reasonably well and gets good gas mileage. There have been no problems with this vehicle. All Ive had to do was regular maintenance. This is a basic economy car, so if youre looking for excitement and luxury, look elsewhere. That said, it is a reasonably comfortable ride, but the back is lacking leg space. I would highly recommend getting the manual transmission if you want improved gas mileage and quicker acceleration.

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  Manifold, what manifold? - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Adventure - February 22 - 12:29 pm

  Bought our Venture used from CarMax in 2000 with 26,000 miles. We have driven it 154,000 miles since, under nearly every condition, and its been a great van. We have pulled two different pop-up campers all over Maryland (beach to mountains) and although the 6 cylinders might have complained climbing the mountains, they never gave out. Our two kids have grown up in the van and we always have room for them, friends, travel junk and more. Our van is the default vehicle for road trips because of how well it holds people and stuff. Were not thrilled with the fit and finish of the interior and things have started to fall apart, but nothing unexpected for 180,000 miles.

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  Chevy Tahoe 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Kough - February 20 - 7:43 pm

  Bought it from Carmax with 60 miles. Around 65 miles the speedometer went out, next the oil pressure sensor went out and I finally replaced the whole cluster...cost $400. Around 80 miles the flex fuel pump went out...the cost to replace was$1100. As I type this it is at the dealership because it has started leaking coolant and oil...the estimated cost is $1850.Im very disappointed in my Tahoe and as much as Ive enjoyed the features and roominess I will never buy another one.Im disappointed in Chevy too because Ive learned through all of these repairs that these are all very common in Tahoes. Its not fair that the consumer is left to pay when these are all common issues even in later models

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  Fun car "But" - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By jdbca - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Love the car but hate the service from the local dealers. The front rotors have warped twice in a year. Service department seems to think this is not a warrantee situation.

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  Not so bad - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By alfred - February 19 - 12:05 pm

  Hello friends, I am the owner of a 2002 3 door 4 cyl s-10 with 85000 miles. I bought it new, downsizing from a 8cyl Silverado. This is not a powerful truck. it is meant for light use. It literally has trouble going uphill. Ive had to replace the battery, radiator and the a/c died at 75k miles and I have not fix it yet. I think that I have gotten good service from it, I am happy with it so far. I am getting 20 mpg plus. Anyway, I recommend this truck if you are not pulling or loading it with heavy items. Good luck!

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  Mostly Happy - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By susan - February 17 - 9:12 pm

  Bought the car late 2003. Still have it and am now at 108,000 miles. Replaced the temp gauge at 80,000 miles, brakes at 87,000 miles and had no other major problems until 106,000 miles and then the biggie: Transmission went bad. Had to be rebuilt ($2,000). After that bummer, I have resummed my love for the car. Rides smooth, love the interior room. Not the easiest to handle on curves, but this car will fly! Lots of power, with a hint of a luxury feel. Great for road trips. Could be more sound proof inside, but overall well-built car. Would probably buy another.

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  Would get another one - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Jim - February 17 - 7:53 am

  This is a great truck. Ive carried a Harley in the back and pulled a 10K travel trailer through the mountains (not the same time). The plus side of the setup is your friends dont look at it as a truck when they move even though it has all the ability. The only gripe is the 8.1L engines oil consumption is high. One qt in 3K miles when new, three qts in 3K now. Chevy claimed in 2002 one qt in 100 miles was considered high anything less is acceptable. Big engine is great for towing, stomp on the pedal and she jumps even at 70mph. Down side is MPG 11 around town 14 on the highway at 75mph. I would replace with same truck smaller V8 but right now Ill drive it until the wheels fall off.

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  The Real Deal about the Trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bigsleep80 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Just under 1000 miles on my TB. The gas mileage is horrible if youre talking about ALL vehicles. If youre talking about SUVs then its pretty good. Everyone seems to trash the interior. Its not the best out there but, far from the worst. The one complaint ive agreed with is the cornering. But once again if youre talking about all vehicles then it doesnt handle corners that well. But its a SUV (did you really think you can go flying around a corner at 60 mph?) Overall, I love my TB (keep in mind im only approaching 1000 miles.) I plan on writing a follow-up at 6 months.

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  2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Todd - February 14 - 9:29 am

  We purchased the Tahoe for my wife but I like it so much that I rarely drive my own SUV. Drives great for such a large vehicle . However, I dont recommend exceeding the speed limit by much on sweeping mountain turns - I always feel on the edge of falling off the mountain. Other than a recurring clunk in the steering column (no effect on performance) the build quality has been excellent. If you have leather the heated seats are a must in cold weather.

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  A true Beast! - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By redz28boy - February 13 - 2:19 pm

  Man this car is hot. I bought the 5.7L V8 and it is fun to drive when it is no snow outside. Love the styling. I had a 92 RS w/ the 305, but after reading up on the LT1 I had to upgrade! Even though Im a third-gen fan, I dont believe you could go wrong with these either. True American muscle! Great car!