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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  I love this Van - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By LMTapia - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this van with 50,000 miles and now have 184,000 miles and it still runs like new. No slipage in the transmission and no loss of power. I have replaced a few items like water pump and radiator along with 4 brake jobs but at 184,000 miles, not bad at all. This is my second Astro.

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  Just right for mountains and snow - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By SoccerMom3 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I live in the mountains and drive about 22,000 miles a year, and Ive encountered no problems in snow, rain, or heat. It drives well and has never required anything other than routine maintenance.

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  V6 Camaro - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Hollywood Jose - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Great car in straight driving and turns but braking at high speeds is a little scary sometimes since it vibrates a lot. Driving fast in the rain is a very bad idea with this car (mine doesnt have traction control) and the car peels out without me even trying(even though i got new Yokohomas).

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  Old Reliable - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By RileyA2345 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Only one repair in 45000 miles, a brake job, and Pittsburgh has many hills! Routine maintaince at my local mechanic(oil change,lub and filter, with air adjustments in tires). Tires are still original equipment as is battery and all other parts. Mileage is about 22 around town and 30 on trips. Id recommend this car.

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  V6 Equinox 2011 - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By oscar007 - October 20 - 11:23 pm

  We have owned our Nox for 2 weeks. We drove most of our 3700 on a 3300 mile road trip. 2 adults and 3 children with luggage. We drive speed limits for the most part and got 20 to 23 mpg averaging 21.8 overall. The cars computer rated it at 21.8 and so did our manual entry.miles on

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  Im dissapointed ! - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ray Parker - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive always had problems with the side seat handles that allow the seat to be reclined. They have been replaced three times and still dont work. The passenger compartment is much too small. The cheap plastic that GM uses for the interior is awful. The transmission was overhauled at 40000 miles. But I had to complain for two years that it was continually slipping before they fixed it under the extended warranty. It worked fine for about a year but started slipping again. I took the S-10 in before the extended warranty had expired and had it checked. They did nothing. Now that my warranty has expired, they want $2000 to repair it. Brakes are weak.

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  Not bad for a cheapo! - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ford8n1 - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Bought it with some problems namely a rebuilt title but lady bought it from drove it for about 30K and 2 years so thought not bad plus bought it "cheap!" For a plain jane car it does have a smell of what I call reliability and a proven nameplate. Hey after all what is "transportation" all about?

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  Seating for 8 - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By novemberme - October 19 - 2:00 am

  We have the WB edition. We have seating for 8. Its a solid vehicle. I am not blown away by it but I am not disappointed in it either. The third seat will fit three mid-sized kids. Dont bother putting a car seat back there if you need all the seating positions - it will take up two. The middle seating position in both rows only has a lap belt. It is also difficult to get the outer seats in the second row to pop forward to enter the back row. On the positive side, the van has great pickup - it doesnt lag even with the A/C. Cargo is good. Seating is confortable and the ride is smooth. Dual power doors are a nice bonus too.

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  4DR 4x4 FUN - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Wasadeal - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a 2001 Nissan crew cab and am more satisfied with the cab room and gas mileage, considering it has a more powerful engine, is bigger and is a 4x4. So far the quality is as good as most others models/mfrs in its class. It is also quite capable off road of which it was twice in the first couple of weeks.

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  A Few Problems - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By chevrolet man - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have owned a few trucks and the Silverado seems to be the best. I have had to bring the truck back to the dealer a few times for little problems,passenger door had a rattle- steering was not tight,all of the problems have been addressed by the dealerand fixed.I am towing a travel trailer(7700 lbs)with no problem,it has the power when I need it.I will be buying another Chevy in the futher.After comparing Ford, Dodge and Chevy, for the money Chevy was the best deal.