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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  911!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Redhot Avalanche - October 15 - 2:00 am

  This truck was great until 18 days after I bought it. I heard the horn and went out to find the interior in flames!.. The fire bureau said it was a short in the dash and 17 days later , I still am waiting for GM, Chevrolet or my dealer to give me any word on what they are going to do for me. They have been absolutely no help at all!!

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  Aveo LS - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By DanielA - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Love this car. It is a low end vehicle but it does have power everything. Good gas milage and 5 star frontal impact rating. No cruise control avilible???? Wonder why. Good design and versatility, great starter car.

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  Great little car! - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By REVBOO - October 14 - 2:00 am

  The best part about this car is the maintenence costs. Ive owned it since new and have never had to spend anything on repairs. Im just now starting to spend on normal items that wear out (tires, brakes, etc.). The only thing that has been replaced on it is the stereo. The CD player quite working while under warranty.

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  One good pickup - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By scottmason - October 14 - 12:17 am

  I love this truck. I hate the gas mileage. But it has a lot of power for pulling trailers. I bought this truck two reasons. One to pull my fifth wheel camper & boat. Second, to go hunting. In North Dakota, you can pull tandem trailers behind your pickup if the first trailer is a fifth wheel with brakes. This truck can pull all day. But be careful in the heat (>90 ) the GMs overheat. I see them on the side of the road. It has not happened to me personally. When pulling tandem trailers I get 6 to 8 mpg. So you really need to watch your fuel gauge, if it worked correctly. Maintenance on this vehicle is oil changes and tires.

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  Love the SS - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ron - October 13 - 4:00 am

  I have only had for short time. But so far I just love it. Its hard to get used to an SS having 4 doors but I like the emblems, reminds me of days gone by. I traded in a crew cab dualy, so this is of course way more fun. I read reviews here before I bought it. And I have to agree about the wind noise and torque steer. But I bought it and like it anyway. I got almost 28 miles to gallon on a three hr. trip. That was at 70 with cruise control. I liked the steering wheel controls in my pick-up (04 Silverado) better than the switches on the dash in Impala.

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  ex-Police LT1 off eBay - 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Anonymous Coward - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Shopping for a second car in 2000 I started on Edmunds.com and selected a couple high-value models (good ratings and low price). Then I went to eBay and started bidding - won a 96 Caprice. Fresh out of service with the Saginaw MI PD it has the LT1 and heavy duty everything. Got it with 75,000 on the clock. So far Ive put a new A/C unit, replaced two front suspension components and put on new Michelins. It uses no oil and has had zero drivetrain issues. Now at 120,000 miles.

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  Great on Long Trips - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By DerekW - October 13 - 2:00 am

  My 2003 Suburban 1500LT is extremely comfortable on long trips. About 3-4 times a year, I make the 8-hour trip from Indianapolis to Kansas City with my wife and baby (presently 18 months old) to see my folks. Theres PLENTY of room for our luggage and all the gear a baby/toddler requires. The aisle between the captains chairs in the second row make it easy to get to the third row bench -- perfect for diaper changes at questionable rest stops! After 11 months of ownership, Ive encountered zero mechanical problems. Lets hope Im this happy after my extended warranty expires. I love this SUV.

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  All good but the transmission - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By KennyCashmere - October 12 - 2:50 pm

  I bought this car new as a leftover in August 1998. Now, in December 2004, with 90K miles, and after NO major repairs, it is still such a reliable, comfortable, and yes, economical car that Im wondering if I should keep it AND buy a new one. Why buy a new one at all? The transmission gets stuck in second gear (wont upshift or downshift to first) when the car is very cold, and after five service visits to three separate dealers, they still dont know whats wrong. The new ones dont have standard ABS (cheesy!) like the 98 did, the transmission shifts roughly on the new ones, the brake pedal is too high on the new ones, the seats uncomfortable, etc. But the 98 has been a great car!

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  Good for the long haul - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By Sherry B. - October 11 - 2:00 am

  Excellent for the duration...my 2nd Astro, and better than the 1st 87 model. Gas mileage is about 18/gal city, but is a great family vehicle. Has lasted well.

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  Time to Give Up MY BABY!!!! - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Overall Happy Owner - October 10 - 2:00 am

  OK, my Cavalier and I have been through alot of events. My kids becoming teenagers, three 1500 miles trips out of state, one marriage, some repairs, and my twenty-some-things. Anyway, I have drove my Cavalier for about 8 years. She has at times cost me money but, never more than $500.00. Transmission still runs, you will fix breaks alot, has started up mornings for years (except for those repair times), and BEST FEATURE.....MY BABY has 184,000 miles and still running. In early 2004, I will retire her but, not to get rid of her. In two years, my son will be at the age to drive....and guess what he will be driving!!! Thanks, for reading.