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:

• 

  REAR SEAT COVERS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Steve Chermak - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Floor mats left on back seat during transit left imprints that after two months and three trips to dealer still show. Dealer will not replace yet and poor materials used on premium seat covers . Also problems with factory alarm system and interior lighting.Back window noise

• 

  Solid Car - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By theBartman - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I was surprised to read some of the negative remarks about brakes with the 2000 Malibu. I bought one new in Oct. 99 and am just having my first brake work done today (rotors and pads) at approx. 44,000 miles. The only complaint I have with the car, which I saw someone else mention, is that the heat/AC directional dial doesnt work as advertised. Im happy when I can at least get partial air headed in the desired direction.

• 

  2002 Silverado R.C./S.B. 5.3L 2WD - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By A.L. - October 6 - 10:00 am

  Traded my 1993 Chevy which I had for 9 years never had a problem but lacking a little power. This is why I bought another Chevy( 2002 ) This puppy with the reg. cab and short bed will get up and move. It does have the 5.3L which will move it with no problem. I have add a cat-back system, better shocks, and a bed hard matching cover.

• 

  98SSman - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SSman - October 6 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is very enjoyable to especially when you have the T-top model like my self.If they go back to making the camaro I hope Chevy works more on the interior and try to get an engine sold off the lot that runs on regular gas

• 

  Astro - 2005 Chevrolet Astro
  By Edward Weessies - October 6 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle I am reviewing was purchased used in 2001. I now have 96000 miles on it and it has never failed me. We have useed it to travel on trips in excess of 5000 miles at a time. I am 61" and 250 pounds and I find the unit most comfortable.

• 

  first lumina - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By jes_ducky - October 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my first lumina, and sence no longer made my last (to bad). While I have had to put $800.00 in servicing this vehicle during my first month of owning it, it was due to the previous owner not taking care of the car. The servicing required was normal maintenance..breaks,tires,oil change,ect...surprising though is this car ran perfect even with all the neglect!! It has 85000 miles and I exspect atleast another 100000 with only normal maintance. Good job Chevy!

• 

  2002 Impala - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By gold in illinois - October 6 - 2:00 am

  The car is great to drive, very responsive and with very good acceleration. Have had issues with the brake rotors and transmission that both had to be replaced under warrenty. Rotors at 15000 miles transmission at 37000. Would recommend extended warrenty.

• 

  Love my LTZ - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Tom - October 6 - 1:10 am

  Purchased this LTZ a month ago and love the smooth ride,interior comfort,feel of the road. Have not pulled my boat yet but it should handle it with ease. Plenty of power. Bose sound system rocks! along with the satellite radio. It takes quite a while to figure out all the buttons and what they control. The driver information system is nice, but unfortunately it shows that the truck doesnt anywhere near the 20 hiway MPG that Chevy and Howie Long brag about!!! Averaging about 15 miles per gallon with 90% hiway driving and feathering the gas pedal.

• 

  solid car, but weak engine - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ........... - October 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought my cav. less then a year ago and it only had 46,000 miles on it. But now it has close to 73,000 and it still runs great. The only problem Ive had with it was I needed to replace the altinator. at 72,000 miles.

• 

  Exxxxcellent! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By allcars - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Our 02 LS has been a great car for us. We especially enjoy driving it on our frequent weekend road trips ... it is comfortable, economical and the 3800 V6 offers more than adequate power for the highway. The best upgrade weve made was the addition of XM Satellite Radio ... really helps make long drives more enjoyable. Our sleek black Impala looks sharp, too, with its LS Sport Appearance Package. It still draws admiring comments from friends and acquaintances. The luxury touches -- heated leather seats in front, the self-dimming rearview mirror and the compass, to name a few -- are much appreciated. Our Impala just turned 25,000 miles and has been quite reliable.