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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  Love it - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By blondie - April 28 - 10:49 am

  I bought this car about 2 years ago and wanted a cheap but yet nice sporty looking car and when I saw this one I knew it was the one! I havent had any problems with it besides very minor knock on wood. Its a good little car and you can add the fun tall lights and tint the windows and let me tell you its a looker!

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  Impala a decent car for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Woggy - April 28 - 9:50 am

  While it isnt the Impala of the 60s the 2004 Impala is still a pretty decent car. Solid build structure (withstood a concrete truck backing into front end very well). Fuel economy is not excellent but good for a car this size. No major component breakdowns yet. Just quite a few more minor annoyances. Brake part frequent servicing,a number of worrying, but so far harmless, noises of varying types. Comfortable to drive, reasonable quite ride, good handling. Has been a 7.5 out of 10 on overall satisfaction. Lots of trunk space, especially with fold down rear seats. Standard stereo not outstanding but more than adequate. Exterior finish good to very good. Horn stinks, intend to replace it.

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  Great car for the money - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Edunn3202006 - April 27 - 4:31 pm

  I needed a car that was fuel efficient, low maintenance, and most importantly, reliable. After almost 2 years of ownership my Prizm has proven to be all three things! I was initially a little concerned because the mileage was a little high when I bought it (100k), but Im at 114K and can say Ive never experienced any problems with this car. It is a great value for the money.

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  disappointed - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Sweetpea - April 27 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 1997 2-door cavalier & bought a blue LS sport coupe 2003 cavi about 2 mths ago. I have had it in the shop already for this cracking noise in the front. It ended up being a recall part (something that they "forgot" to put in). My part has yet to come in (2 weeks now). Then 3 days ago I noticed that my fuel gage is acting up. It is tellimg me that I have 3/4 a tank of gas. I know that I should have under a 1/2 (went 185 miles since last filled). So its going back again. Everytime I drive that car I get bounced around. I know it is a sports model but when I hit a bump in the road forget it. One last thing-it is TERRIBLE in the snow.

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  Overall Fair - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By davidred - April 24 - 3:39 pm

  This car currently has about 116,000 miles on it and we are the only owners. It was purchased brand new back in 1998. I have some very mixed reviews on the car over all. Mostly with areas of suspension, A/C control and ABS light. We also had a the CD player replaced while it was still under warranty. The body of the car has done well over the past nine years and the engine just recently started giving us trouble. We have a coolant leak into the engine. Overall I give the car a fair rating. I probably would not buy another one.

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  Mechanical Problems - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Nathan D - April 24 - 2:32 pm

  I like the way you sit in the truck. Not too high, not too low. The manual transmission treats me well too. Good clutch and easy to shift. There are a few negatives however. It drove well off the lot, but a week later the head gasket decided to go out at 90,000 miles. The exhaust was replaced a couple times as well. The side mirror has fallen off twice. Once when I was on the interstate, it was quite a surprise. The blower switch has broken. The turn signal switch has gone out and still doesnt work quite right. The thermostat has failed once, and plug and wires were replaced at 150,000 miles. At 156,000 miles, the head gasket has an internal leak and will need replacement.

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  Great car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By nick - April 23 - 11:52 pm

  I had two recalls. That is good in my book. This car is great on fuel and cheap to run. Overall its a great car. Even at 270,000 km its running great.

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  Disappointment - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Doc - April 23 - 4:50 pm

  Just bought this 2010 Equinox. 2010 no longer comes with a fold flat front passenger seat, not even an option. This reduces the utility factor. I drive with a light foot in ECO mode yet I only have averaged 23.7 mpg. 80% of my driving is 4 lane with the cruise on 60 mph. The rear blind spots are terrible, the rearview camera is a necessity not just an option.

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  2000 Red Chevy Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By kmax89 - April 22 - 4:52 pm

  The car has been a great one so far. The only compaints I have are the excessive engine noise and how ruff is shifts at first. The gas mileage hasnt been too bad but could be a little better for just a midsize SUV.

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  Oatmeal is good for you - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By GW in Maine - April 22 - 3:26 pm

  I am a 50 year old divorced white male. I require safety, reliability, versatility and economy (low cost of ownership) from a vehicle. I have grown to appreciate substance over style. My 06 Malibu Maxx did service as a rental car. There is an "every man" quality about it. Bland, in this case is a virtue. It is eminently competent without drawing too much attention to itself. I like the fact that ABS and traction control are standard. I like the radio controls and cruise control on the steering wheel. I like the hatch configuration and extra long wheel base. Chevy may not offer cutting edge technology, but this package works. Im OK with an appliance.