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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  Great truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By great truck - September 1 - 5:39 pm

  I purchased my S-10 after I drove my Neon through a very large mudpuddle and blew the engine, I figured Id get something that can handle more abuse. and boy was I right. mine has been through everything imaginable, I have even pulled a 05 Silverado out of a ditch and continued to drag him while he applied his brakes. I have 214,000 miles on this truck (original trans and engine) Long story short, if you are in the market for a small truck get an S- 10

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  Watch out for the tranny! - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By PorscheMom - September 1 - 2:56 pm

  Bought it used w/ 26K on the odometer. I do a lot of driving, now has 65K on it. Overall, its been a decent purchase considering the price (about $10K). Two major problems though. A bad fuel injector at 34K, and bad tranny at 38K. Both under warranty. Dealership was great about both repairs. Ride is a little rough if you are used to a larger sedan or wagon. Definitely not a road trip car. Front seats are a bit too contoured for my taste. Back seat has tons of space. Could easily fit 3 car seats, so dont discount it if you have kids. Huge trunk. Good fuel economy, attractive styling, better than the new ones, IMHO.

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  Work, Haul, Hunt, Camp, Play! - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By CabinFever - August 31 - 10:00 am

  I drive 30 miles in hilly country to work, then haul dirt, rock, firewood or ATV on the weekends and this truck is always ready to go. Ive hauled 2,000 lbs. of topsoil, well-beyond the trucks capacity, up the mountains to home and the engine hardly worked. I just clocked 30k miles and theres no rattles, no squeaks. My mom-in-law was very surprised at the ride quality both on road on on our mile of dirt road to our house when she was visiting. This truck has done it all for me and its only asked for good, regular oil changes and its always gotten 17.5 mpg no matter what I do. Im very very happy with this truck.

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  Not a bad SUV for a beginner - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tim - August 28 - 12:37 pm

  Bought used with 32k miles. In stock configuration it is a dog. After installing new exhaust, cold air intake and using a Hypertech programmer, it runs much better. Quite a bit of body flex when offroad on moderate to easy 4x4 trails. Decent clearance. Limited modification potential due to offset of wheels. Very comfortable on and off road ride.

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  What more can you expect? - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By TeeA - August 28 - 10:00 am

  You cant buy a better car...for the money. If you want a luxury or sports car, shell out the cash for one. If you want a nice ride, decent pickup, and a satisfactory interior for a cheap price, this is the car to get. I buy a new car every year and owned Camrys, Accords and SUVs. This car gets good gas mileage is easy to drive and for much lower cost than most others.

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  crss car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By tyler04 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  good car looks good an runs great pefer ss but to much $money but i love it.

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  I would recommend - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Martym - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Good syle, great ride. I have the best package (1SE), but the interior still seems a little cheap for 27,000 dollars. I guess now days if you want nice, it will cost you 40,000+.

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  Just keeps on going! - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By krissy c - August 27 - 9:07 pm

  I have only owned this vehicle 3 months, but I can say its a very reliable, durable vehicle. The only problem I had was a new starter and a lower radiator hose and heater hose. It always starts right up every time and has plenty of power, with only 138,000 miles! I did experience one strange problem. Every time it rained, the car would never start! I had a new starter installed, but it hasnt rained for over 4 weeks! Other than that, overall a good car.

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  Happy with it - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Ray - August 27 - 1:19 pm

  Very fun to drive. For a truck, it has averaged about 16.5 MPG, which is not bad. I tow a boat and a travel trailer at times. It has been in the shop three times, twice with transmission problems, at the dealer a week each time, other time was a computer problem. I have had major tire problems, none of the orginal tires are on the vehicle, I have had it 14 months now.

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  Our Cobalt - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By mlbollaert - August 27 - 12:50 pm

  Engine has plenty of power for a 2.2. So far the mileage holds true 24 city, 32 hwy. Steering is effortless but tight enough to feel the road. Handling is tight through the corners and the Pirellis hold the road even in the N.W. rain. Interior is excellent with all the comforts of the 21st century! Overall I give the car and the experiance an "A".