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 First Car - 1994 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Blaine - August 19 - 1:59 am

  While the car has had the problems of any used car, it is a rather enjoyable car. One of my best friends had the Z34 as his first so we spend alot of time talking about the cars. While not what I had thought I would own for a first car all in all it is not bad for something I had to buy to get to a job. The car is American made which makes all the diffrence to me.

• 

  Looks Good, Runs Good, But Bad Fan - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By B-Cat - August 18 - 10:22 pm

  I love the Chevy Colorado for its fuel economy and stylish exterior. However, my fan only runs on high. The other 3 speeds dont do a thing. It wasnt purchased like this, but seems to be a manufacturer defect. Three months ownership and 3 trips to have the fan repaired. The Chevy Colorado loses much of its sportiness with this problem.

• 

  2001 Vette - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Robert Chiu - August 18 - 5:08 pm

  I purchased this car new. Nothing comes close performance-wise for the price. However, for the price, the build quality and attention to detail are poor. I had a torn weatherstip on the drivers side in the first year, broken rain gutter the second year, three dead batteries and one alternator replacement in the third year, and recently transmission grinding while shifting into 3rd and 5th. Now I know why GM stock is junk.

• 

  Tahoe - What a great SUV - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By burt13 - August 18 - 2:44 pm

  I have a 98 Tahoe which I bought in 99 with 22,000 miles. It now has 110,000 miles on it. I have had to have a few things done to it like have the brake master cylinder replaced, a new alternator and the lower gasket seal replaced. In addition the transmission slider bar snapped which needed replacing, strip down of transmission! Although I have had to replace these items over the last 6 years, the Tahoe has been great to drive, especially on our long haul trips to see family in other states. Nothing like the roominess this vehicle has. Iam getting ready to trade her in and will be sad to do so, but with the rising cost of gas these days and the currents offers now is a good time.

• 

  Lets be honest... - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By doug - August 18 - 3:23 am

  ...if it werent for the fantastic rebate, I would not have bought this car. I preferred a Corolla and almost bought a Focus ZX3. But, then the rebates came out. I did some checking and spoke with some co-workers: it got good consumer reviews and owners gave this car praise. It is uncomfortable and difficult to get in and out of. The back seats is only for smaller people. Theres very good trunk space considering its size- better than a Pontiac G6! Its fun to drive and has good power and is stable on the highway at high speeds. Minor engine chip problem but dealer was very responsive.

• 

  Mine was made on a holiday! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By SDenney - August 17 - 4:49 pm

  When we bought this car, we purchased an extended warranty. Unfortunately it was a dealer (MPP) warranty but we did not know this. The motor went out at 29,000 miles and we were forced to replace it!! The warranty only covered a portion of the cost plus a junkyard motor!! Lots of maintenance cost associated with it too! Little things like the blinker lights are expensive not to mention the back light panel.

• 

  Malibu Maxx-- GOOD! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Fulloutpwr - August 17 - 1:00 am

  So far, no real regrets or gripes! Starts everytime I need it, gets me 29 MPG average... needs tint and thats about it from the factory. Wont have it more than the next year, but so far very satisfied!

• 

  Probably saved my life - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Samuel Jordan - August 16 - 9:59 pm

  Hit a car head on @ 70 mph bashed the right light and the rim was bent. I put a spare on, and drove her another 600 miles back home. The engine still works awesome, but the frame is a bit bent up. The engine on this girl is wonderfully reliable, but problems I had included brakes, A/C, stupid cupholders, and an alternator (its a Chevy). If you buy from the right person, this car is truly a great machine, hands down. Good mileage, drove cross country several times with her great handling, good speed. If you buy from some stupid teen or shady dealer, youll have problems like any other car, I suppose. I have a bit over 100k on it, and it is still going strong, in spite of the accident I had.

• 

  good truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By kckoch - August 16 - 10:17 am

  I drive alot of highways to and from work. I take care of the oil changes every 3000 miles and the mechanic says it is in good shape to reach 200,000 miles. The only nagging problem is the security light comes on once in a while. They want $3-400 dollars to replace the security system. I prevents the truck from starting once in a while and I have to wait 20 minutes for the system to reengage to start the truck. Over all it has been a good truck fo me!

• 

  95 Vette dark red 115,000 mi - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Joe - August 16 - 5:49 am

  Cons:Clear coat on wheels, peeled in 2004 and had to be recoated. Excessive moisture in the air, Vette will not start. Water pump went out. Replaced water pump, and all the wiring. I had to replace 4 distributors over a 12 month period. It still sometimes will not start. Pros: I had all new plugs and wiring done high quality. The performance was noticable. MPG went from 20 - 22, to 25 - 27 mpg. It has always been fun to drive, and what a pleasure it is on long drives. Sound quality is still good with the Bose Gold. May update later. I am deciding on what tires to replace it with, I will drive it all year long. Other than starting problems, the car is awesome.