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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  Venture review 04/04 - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By arcadoc - April 5 - 2:00 am

  The biggest problem is with the front- wheel drive transaxle. My first one failed at 123,000 miles. After a NOS replacement, the transaxle slips randomly when accelerating from a standstill. I really have no complaints about this vehicle. In general, it has served me well. Great gas mileage! With a 25 gallon tank, it is not unusual for me to go 500 miles between refuelings. This Venture now has 200,000 miles on it and you can hear the looseness in the engine and transmission. Im about ready to retire this one before it leaves me sitting on the side of the road. My next vehicle: Another Venture!

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  a good car once you replace everything! - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By cmwegeren - April 5 - 2:00 am

  the lumina has great pick-up, considering that I live by a busy highway and need excelleration! (good for a v-6). However this only comes after extensive repairs to the new motor, new rotors, new water pump, and 3 new alternator(2)[ I give 1 to the system I later installed at the end after i was finacially able to afford to buy accesories ]

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  SSR - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By BrenGardner - April 4 - 3:00 am

  Tonneau remains a problem. It wont open all the way when activated, and a latch came apart on one side - separate issues. The glove compartment adjustment required two visits to adjust. Dealer doesnt seem to know much about the vehicle.

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  Going to Tokyo - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By joelicanoli - April 4 - 3:00 am

  Problems..First with the crunching noise coming from the steering wheel when turning corner. Next problem was the security system would act up every once in a while and would not let me start the car. Then, I started encountering problems with the turn signals....only works when they want to. Recently, I noticed it was hard to start, idled roughly, and was loosing coolant. I took it into Meineke and they said it might be the head gasket. Also, they showed me there was a hole in the air intake screen which I guess was making it hard to start and the rough idle problem. Now my car is sitting outside my apartment and I cant even get it started at all.

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  Great Car from point A to point B - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Der5kss - April 4 - 3:00 am

  If youre looking for a quality car to get you there and back, look no further. The standard Lumina with a 3.1 L engine and decent fuel economy (28 mpg highway) is a reliable, conservative car. It is not sporty and it is not an exciting car to drive, but my 1997 Lumina has never failed me. It gets from one place to another with no problems, the power is decent (but a more powerful 3.4L and 3.8L engine can be found on other cars of this model), and it is comfortable enough for a family of 4 or 5. If you buy a Chevrolet Lumina as a family or business car you will be satisfied with the low-maitenance relationship and you will not regret this investment.

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  Fun and Cheap - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By Kaxe - April 4 - 3:00 am

  First Crew Cab for me but 4th S-10. I really like the ride and drive of this truck. I am sorry to see it go away.

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  Durable - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jimbob - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought this truck used in 97. Maintained it with regular oil changes and GM updates. It has never failed me. It has sat outside covered in snow in sub-zero temperatures and starts right up. Yes, the cloth interior is wearing out, but automotively speaking, it still runs as well as when I bought it. And I havent been real nice to it at times (missed a few scheduled oil changes, demand a lot of it getting on the freeway and have strained the suspension with some really overweight loads). Not something to take a date out in or go to church, but overall, a good dependable, durable truck.

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  Those wires drove me crazy! - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Economy Engineer - April 1 - 2:00 am

  The high-energy ignition module kills a set of wires every 25K miles.Until you recognize that, it will make you insecure. As soon as you feel that first stutter, probably on a wet day, change them immediately. When its got good wires, it runs like a champ. 103K so far, still getting 28MPG on a commute, Ive had as high as 35 MPG on a trip w/ 5 speed, 4 cyl.

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  Smart Buy - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By KBCE - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Purchased @ $134,000.... Im 30 miles from 150K. I put in New alternator, got rid of air box, got an alignment, (4 wheel), add ed tach & vacume gauges. Plan on dumping SunRoof, wheels & keyless. This car is worth that investment in all manner of speaking. Im 1/2 a Century old & have piloted a few machines. This unit gets 35 MPH with me alone in it with gear, @ NOT over 70 mph! 50 to 55 on flat is closer 2 40MPH. Only a fool would pass-up a car this Safe & Cost effictive. I paid $2500. My next unit will B another one of these but not newer then 2001. (Read all U can on these & Ull C where the lines of quality start & stop).

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  Strong reliable workhorse - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By bralwel - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I have 190,000 miles on my 97 Lumina. It has served me well and very reliable during that whole time. I have only replaced a water pump and one alternator. I finally have to rebuild teh motor at 190,000 miles which I am now doing. I expect another 150,000 miles from this sturdy car