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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  Chevy 1500 - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Drew - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this Chevy 2000 in may or so and right away my tranny was shifting odd and seemed to have a slip got a flush and better now but not all there. The knocking is terrible when started when cold and needs to sit higher and needs more leaf springs in it cant haul hardly anything without sagging. Love the power and ride but bad gas mileage. Not trying to complain just saying how the truck is. Great power fun truck just dunno if its the one for me

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  OK! Wouldnt buy again! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MJB - June 30 - 3:47 pm

  My Malibu has experienced all of the problems that are outlined below! I found out today that a leaking water pump has caused a lot of my issues with the serpentine belt and belt pulley wheels going bad not to mention the dissapearing coolant. My 1&2 fan speeds dont work either, I will have to try the resistor fix! Aside from these nagging issues the car is OK, but I would likely buy a more reliable car next time!

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  Greatest Truck Ive Ever Owened - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By J Shutey - June 29 - 6:13 pm

  I have always loved the look of the Avalanche and now I love everything about it. The ride feels like you are not in a truck at all but a big luxury car. It has alot of power and is very fun to drive.

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  Trouble in paradise. - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Duane - June 29 - 5:52 pm

  Purchased a 2001 2500-LT Suburban "GM Certified Used Vehicle" in August, 04 with ~58K miles. In the first 9 months of ownership, weve had multiple major repairs, including: exhaust (which we came to find is a dealer only part. No aftermarket muffler for the 2500 series. Major dollars) Side mirror fell off. Window regulator failed. Rear cooling lines ruptured. Complete brake job with rotors. Fuel pump failed. Broken radio antenna. Brake booster replaced. Tail lights failed Transmission lines replaced. Front U roints replaced. Regreased the rear passenger door straps twice. Leaking fuel line. Fortunately, we purchased the used car warranty, as its paid for itself twice over.

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  I Love my Prizm - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By lmpress - June 29 - 5:13 pm

  Bought my Prizm at CarMax. Had 24K on it - was a previous lease. I was going to buy a Cavalier, but someone suggested the Prizm. I knew it was a Corolla in disguise. Has cruise control (bonus!), CD player, power windows/locks. Great gas mileage, especially with todays prices. Im not into fancy cars so this was perfect. Wish I had looked at these when I bought the Ford Focus in 2000 (which has already bitten the dust!)

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  best car Ive had - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By mike - June 29 - 4:36 pm

  This is an outstanding car. Its never let me down. A little standard maintenance, and it runs great, handles perfectly, has real pick-up, and the control has gotten me out of scrapes other cars wouldve never gotten out of (I know Ive had a lot of cars).

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  Another Good GM - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By wrrmar - June 29 - 4:04 pm

  This is my 3rd S-series truck from GM. I owned an 87 S-10 and 89 S-15. Both were excellent vehicles. This one continues the trend towards quality that I have always had with GM. My current truck has only been back to the shop 2 times (once for an oil change and once for body work after it was rearended)

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  I love my car - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Chrissy - June 29 - 3:59 pm

  I bought this car as a newlywed and still in college. It has grown with me. We have a child now, and I feel completely at ease with the performance and safety of this vehicle. My husband has suggested trading in on a newer car, but I cant stand the thought of giving up my car, even for a newer one. I love my car!

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  97 SS - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Carlton - June 29 - 4:21 am

  Its garage mate is a 2003 Quick Silver Z06. The SS is probably the more fun to drive. It is pure seat of the pants driving where the Z06 is power and technology. It is as much fun today as it was driving it off the showroom floor. Additions/changes include Goodyear F1 GSD3s, shock tower brace, subframe connectors, underdrive pulley, K&N air filter, etc.

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  Big Black Blazer - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Chris North - June 28 - 6:06 pm

  Has 120k miles on it and I have been driving it for a year and a half now. "Like a Rock" as they said when It was new, was no lie. Its never let me down, and it looks great with charcoal accents and 32s. Besides the wheels and a better CD stereo, it is stock. Slight puff of smoke on startup but that is the valve seals and hurts nothing. Does not use a drop of oil. Only downside is 94 was the last year of that awful "jet inspired" dash layout. Too many buttons, not rotary dials. Kind of cheap plastic. Transmissions need to be babied. ie: Take it out of overdrive when in hilly areas under about 45mph. If the tranny "hunts for gears", thats bad for it. All in all though, I do highly recommend it