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........MAYBE - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Annette Carey - February 18 - 2:00 am

  1999 - Had problems in the beginning....new brakes, new suspension and problems with the fuel pump. Had the extended warranty so no problem. Got fixed no charge. The paint job is one to be improved. Brush up against and scratch. Over all, since all problems were fixed runs like a champ. Had for 5 years and now giving to my teenage son. Always kept maintenace up....a good thing. Hopefully...things have improved and would purchase again if so.

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  Reliable - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By NJ Driver 1999 - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Bought new and after 70000 miles still love it. No breakdowns or problems, just regular maintenance.

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  Sport Truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Insidus - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Some simple modifications can make these a really great buy

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  Still love it after 7+ years - 1996 Chevrolet Suburban
  By CitySub - February 17 - 2:00 am

  The car has been used mostly for highway driving, but it still rides well for a large truck. We drove the truck from NYC to the Great Smokey Mountains and we couldnt imagine making the trip in another car. Ride is a little stiff now, and the suspension isnt what it used to be, but I really cant complain after 7+ years of reliable driving. If my wife would let me, I would buy Suburbans for the rest of my life.

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  Better than expected - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By homerkc - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van for my wife, expecting a good vehicle. Its a great van - a nice surprise. It is comfortable, roomy, not too wide on the outside (easy to park!), and economical - for a van. My wife loves it, and I enjoy driving it, too. My only concern is the longer term problem with intake manifold leaks. Is it fixed on the 2004? Time will tell. Still, were happy with it. It s a great value.

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  Gets Me Where I Want to Go, Every time - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By oldcrewjock - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Prizm is a good, reliable, cheap ride. Bought it new as a stripper, commuter car. No options except a rear window defogger, an AM-FM radio, and a tachometer. Good highway gas mileage (30 mpg in winter and 37 in summer). Around town mileage could be better (24 mpg winter and 28 summer). Had very few repairs. Fairly easy to change oil and oil filter. Has 81K miles now. Intend to keep it till it dies, hopefully when it reaches 200K. Peppy acceleration for a 4 cylinder. Teenage daughter has been trying to claim the car for her own. She has begun driving it to school.

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  Mt Runner - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By mt goat - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I have the Lsi with power moon roof, manual 5 spd. This is everything I have been looking for. I was impressed by the power because the first thing I did was floor it up a huge hill. I drive it up to a ski resort every Sunday in winter where Im on the ski patrol. I havent had a problem on icy roads and I love the gas milage.

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  Venture Adventure - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Mel Meyers - February 16 - 2:00 am

  This 2004 Vent is my 2nd Venture. 1999 was the first. Traded at 73K miles I found it to be a secure, dependable mini with economy and reasonably reliable. I used the 99 for both business and pleasure and it performed well. Now 5years later, with Onstar and DVD, and leather we lookforeward to enjoying this one in our real retirement years. It has earned its way.

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  Enjoying my Blazer! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Dove - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I am totally enjoying this SUV. Its a little rougher ride than my Toyota Avalon XLS, but rides more like a true truck. Fun to drive! Just enough room for two growing kids. GREAT IN THE SNOW!! A little noisy on the freeways. Not overwhelming for a first time SUV owner. Overall, very please with the Blazer.

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  Need a few things - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Ken - February 15 - 12:03 pm

  Saw a few reviews and my 09 2500HD Z71 Duramax came with the running boards, but a spray in Box Liner would have been great. Had a 01 2500HD with the duramax and loved the truck, had lots of power, hated the problem with the injectors. (3 sets in 200,000 Km) at $5400 a set it really is a ripoff. (why I traded it in was a toss up between a dodge and the Chevy) At least on the 09 injectors are easier to get at on the new Chevy. would have liked more power, the 01 seemed to have more get up and go. The only problem that I have heard from a friend that has a 09 is the air filter sucking in moisture and freezing in cold weather, will wait to see of this one does the same thing.