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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  Good by chevy - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tso - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, good size, good styling, roomy 3rd row that can fit adults. Many AC problems over two years. VERY disappointed over residual value. A $37000 car is now worth $12000 after two years on a trade. Chevy has lost a customer forever.

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  1996 S-10 - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By yoccke - July 23 - 2:00 am

  The quality of this vehicle is superb. I have had virtualy no trouble with this vehicle in the 8 years that I have owned it.

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  Little Red - 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
  By kj2711 - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 96 I believe. It had 190,000 miles on it. Just turned 244,800+ miles this week and still going just not as strong as she used to. Gets about 19-20 MPG around town and 27-29 MPG on the highway. No major problems until about 2 years ago but everything that had to be replaced since then was just age. Within the last 2-3 years, Ive replaced the heater core, fuel pump, radiator, rack & pinion, power steering pump and water pump. Getting ready to sell it because Im ready for something newer with lower miles. Still dependable transportation for daily use around town.

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  Small, but all small vehicles are fun - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By blazinghotts88 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  My family just got this vehicle about a year or so ago and we got it used. We never had a problem with it. This is a great starter vehicle for a teenager like me. My dad is handing me down this vehicle and I think it is just perfect for me and I enjoy driving it.

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  Get the LS, upgraded engine - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By MNB - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Could be a great compact to get really, really cheap because it depreciates like crazy. Find 1) an LS, big improvements over STD, 2) an upgraded engine. I have the better engine, and it makes the car much better to drive, accelerate, etc. Makes the Neon & Corolla feel like a Big Wheel in comparison. I find it pretty comfortable, but some people dont. Tires were good in the winter, havent had to replace. A few of these cars were lemons (read other reviews) so be sure to get maintenance records from the seller. Up to 40K, Ive only replaced the brakes. But you could get a pretty solid car with this one. My car is only worth $5K, thats a steal.

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  This Car Rocks! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By 6431 - July 20 - 8:56 am

  I find the car handles well, and picks up fast once you hit 3000 rpm. HP is actually a whopping 226! Outperforms a Corvette in the slalom and is kind of sexy in appearance. Watch out for potholes, because the car doesnt handle them well. I owned a 90 Z24 prior to the SS, and wow, what a step up! Keep up the good work GM! Look out imports and V8s!

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  short drive-traded it off! - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ford8n1 - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Traded a Ford Escort in for a new Cavalier. The seats were "horrible" with these deep designer groves that hurt your butt and back. Added seat cushion and thick seat covers-Malibu seats are good should have installed one of those. View to back terrible with back seat headrests and third light in middle of view. Cornered like a drunken sailor. Traded it for a different car with only 4800 miles on it. Defroster design in middle of windshield not very effective either as it distributed fan pattern in middle with no coverage till later for the driver to see through. To me a dated design ready to be replaced! My 1999 Escort handled better with better seats!

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  Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Chevy Lover - July 19 - 2:00 am

  an absolutely great suv, i had a 92 ford explorer and this is a little bit better, love the 4wd though i havent gotten a chance to use it yet. i suggest this car to anyone that wants a smaller SUV then normal, it is great in the rain and is a safe car.

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  great car except for the leaks... - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By chesapeake - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I love most things about the AV but the water leaks in the bed and the air leaks on the front passenger side (brutal during a cold winter) really detract. Unfortunately, local dealership here is dishonest so getting things fixed is an issue.

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  Nice for an Equinox - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By steve - July 18 - 12:46 pm

  My wife wanted a sport utility so she could set up and see better. We owned a 2007 equinox, and I hated it. The 2010 is a 100% improvement. I wish it had more power, but the 4 cy does quite well. We have made 31.5 mpg one time, but at 65mph it normally gets 28- 30 mpg. Interstate driving at 78 mph gets 25 mpg. It is a nice vehicle for the price. It does not get around to good for a FWD in snow and ice.