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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  the 2001 , not much different than 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By bjziggy - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I actually own the 2001 model. But I dont know of many changes between them.

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  Bettys Review - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Enelse - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I have 130,000 mioles on my car and Ive only replaced an altenator and wheel bearings. She lacks power but once she gets up to speed she can hang with the best. Shes never left me on the side of the road and I definitely do an exceedingly amount of highway driving. Even now I wont hesitate to take her on a road trip. I would say the only complaints I have is with the brakes. They dont last like I think that they should and they arent big enough.

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  Good family car - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Chevy owner - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Overall I like my car, always starts and runs well for the most part. is very roomy, and handles pretty good. I would of liked a little more power out of the engine which when its cold outside the engine just began to make a tapping noise? The engine also this year began using about 1 quart of oil in-between 3500 mile oil changes. Car only has 75000 mile on it bought it a year old with 10000 in 1997. Interior of car is wearing out faster then rest of the car. Cup holder in arm rest broke about a year ago. Driver seat mounting bracket just broke this month.

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  Daily Commuter - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 99hardtop - January 24 - 2:00 am

  This hardtop is a joy to drive, excellent handling, responsive acceleration, firm supple ride, great brakes, great fuel mileage. This is truly a great drivers car. Purchased for low 20s...for that price nothing can touch the value it offers.

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  ASTRO LS - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By DAVID Y - January 24 - 2:00 am

  VERY GOOD OVER ALL, NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS BAD AS NOTED BELOW. NEEDS MORE CHOICE OF PAINT AND INTEROR COLORS

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  Z R5 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By jlmonte97 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  The ZR5 is a fun and sporty truck. This truck is not to bulky to handle. It looks great, but is also very practical!

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  OK ,but please do better. - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By RayJ. - January 24 - 2:00 am

  ABS in this truck is a NIGHTMARE. Had to goto the shop 5 times. I cross my fingers it wont happen again, but I said that at 4 times in.Its a good truck for light work.

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  chevy astro - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By boyd6577 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I have really enjoyed our astro for almost 2 years, now and would recommend it to anyone with more than 2 children. it is very comfortable, and reliable

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  Chevy Blazer - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By blippo - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Blazer for 4 months now. The bad points, it leans around curves, 20 mph highway gas mileage.

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  My Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Darlene - January 22 - 6:10 am

  I have only had this SUV for 7 mos and alredy I have fixed/replaced 3 things on this truck. They are: the sensor that controls the dash indicators, the radio, and the bowtie on the tailgate. However, this is a good truck.