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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  This car rocks. - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By nosemovie - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I see plenty of older folks driving this car, but I dont know why. The engine roars and the handling is great. Make sure to get traction control, its the AWD of the future.

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  My Colbalts Review - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Phillip A. Fivgas - August 30 - 9:00 am

  I am first time buyer with little experience in car performance. However the Colbalt was a excellent buy as it performs great. Its got a great exterior design and the engine purrs, however Chevy can improve greatly in the interior design as well as offering more opinonal equipment as standard such as power windows and locks- but a great deal for the price.

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  My 1999 Suburban - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ken Garwick - August 30 - 2:00 am

  The only major problem experienced was the computer/transmission glitch where code 1870 kept coming up after "Check engine soon" warning. First happened at 12,000 miles. At 60,000 miles I had to replace valve body ($1,100) but that did not fix the problem and the "bumb" rough shifting from start thru 2nd. Replaced valve body again at 160,000 and all is fine. Chevy tried many times to sell me a $3,000 tranny.

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  I love it!! - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By wanted a truck - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I have always wanted a truck, bought it used. When I first bought it...I had problems with Air Bag Light, brakes, and stearing. The dealership stood behind everything (it was all fixed). Since then I have no problems with it

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  4 Transmissions in 4 Years - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By dhawk - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I love my Tahoe. I love it so much that I keep putting transmissions in it instead of getting rid of it. Just two days ago it ate its fourth transmission. Apparently there is a defect (complete with s TSB to fix it) that makes these trucks eat transmissions. Unfortunately, GM doesnt feel they owe the owners for the transmissions or the fix. Other than that, the truck is awesome. It will tow a boat, trailer, or car. It will haul your family and all their luggage. While driving, you feel totally safe. My gas mileage averages about 17 mpg and the ride is smooth.

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  No complaints for my ZR2 - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Todd B. - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Whomever had this vehicle before me took good care of it. Looks brand new minus a couple of minor scratches. The interior is in perfect shape. True, it has a lot of plastic but it isnt as bad as some say. What do you expect? This isnt a luxury SUV. I have the Bose stereo with 6 cd changer and it sounds great. I have nearly every option available on it. I truly love driving it each day. All of my friends love the way it looks. My only issue so far is that the rear windows leak if you go through a high pressure car wash. No big deal, easily fixed. Other than that I have zero complaints.

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  Excellent Value - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By m9431 - August 29 - 12:13 pm

  This replaces my Toyota Truck. Looked at Ford, Dodge, and Toyota. The Ford did handle and ride better, but the Silverado provides more backseat space for passengers (ext cab) and does better with gas mileage. Seemed quicker, too. I surved others on reliability and found the newer Silverados to be very good. Interior is fine--I bought a truck, not a luxury car, afterall. Very good blend of performance, comfort, MPG, toughness, pracicality and price.

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  Menace Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Eclipse - August 29 - 7:16 am

  We find the car very versatile and usefull for hauling a 150lb Rotty. We have a 8 year old Blazer which we love but enjoy having a smaller car. I am disabled and find most cars uncomfortable to sit in for any extended amount of time, but I can sit and drive the Maxx very comfortably due to the leg room and adjustable pedals.

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  2000 Silverado 1500 LT - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tjc43 - August 29 - 6:03 am

  I have owned two silverados in the pass few years. My first silverado was a 2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 LS. I enjoyed driving that truck while I owned it. I sold it due to gas mileage and being a college student. I ended up buying a civic for the excellent gas mileage. The gas mileage was nice and all but I soon realized I needed to be back in a full size truck regardless of gas mileage. I then purchased a 2000 Chevy Silverado Lt edition. I quickly fell in love with the truck. It was basically identical to my LS except having a few more features.

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  Great Steal!!! - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Jenay628 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for about a month and its great! It had 56000mi on it when bought it now has 59000 (I drive it alot!) Car does GREAT on gas milage-310mi/tank! Not too impressed with the interior. Floor space in the back could be bigger. Drive is okay but, it doesnt have a very fast pickup. I have to floor the gas to be able to get up to speed and even then it isnt great. The shocks, also, could be better. Other than that, Ive had no issues with this car. AC is great, sound system is superb and my two year old loves that he can see out the window! This car reminds me of a small version of a Malibu.