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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  Good Car - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By w_b_l - August 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the car new. Overall, it has been a good car. There were a few problems at the beginning (CD-Player, Visor and glovebox alignment), but these were resolved quickly by the dealer as car was still under warranty. Only complaint is that brake repairs are expensive on this car (though I have had it for 4 yrs and put a lot of miles on so I had to do the brakes 3 times. At around 60k miles I needed the belt tensionor replaced. Service costs over 4 years were ~ $1k (oil changes not included). I think this car is a good value.

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  Good truck. Bad transmission. - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By Greg Robinson - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this truck since 1995. I bought it with 55,000 miles and it has been a good one except at 115000 miles first gear went out and I got the transmision rebuilt and in two months second gear went out under warrenty and cost me nothing. I think it was a factory defect in the transmision.

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  2000 Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Reddog002 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  This Blazer is very economical, it uses gas only when the air is running or is in 4 wheel drive. It rides fairly well. The only problem I have had is with the front in alinement. Has been very reliable.

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  Lovin it - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By DPM - August 23 - 2:00 am

  This truck is awesome, the power on the highway is out of this world. The truck looks great but if you put a set of 22"- 26" wheels on it it looks even better. Trust me.

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  Review - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By t6500rider - August 23 - 2:00 am

  It is a very easy car to handle

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  2500 HD REVIEW - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By DAVE - August 23 - 2:00 am

  GOOD LOOKING TRUCK, ROUGH RIDE COMPARED TO THE 1500HD, POOR MILEAGE AND PAR ACCELERATION.

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  Keep making them - 2003 Chevrolet Astro
  By tawaanda - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I love the height of the vehicle. I love the amount of room, I always feel like I have room for everything. I like the roomyness. It is very comfortable to ride in. It is easy to drive and manuver. Mostly the fact that I can see what is going on. The drivers seat is extremely comfortable.

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  2002 Malibu - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cudagtx - August 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Malibu from 1997(the other was a 2000). Each one has been better than the previous one. This is the first Malibu that I bought used, it was one year one when I purchased it, and this is best by far, better than the other two.

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  No Nonsense Family Car - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By McLearen - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Car was won on "The Price is Right" and sold to Car Max with 123 miles on it. I was the lucky one who bought it. Its a base model with the power/cruise option pack. The car is really much more than many people say - good comfort, good power, comfortable seating that encourages long trips with little fatigue. Have put 16000 on it so far with no complaints. Would like to see more in the way of storage in the center console, and a metal ash tray instead of the plastic one (smoker). Only thing I dont like is the common problem with all new cars - no vent window. Sorry to see this body style discontinued - new one stinks.

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  I LOVE It!!!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By KHutson - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I am so glad I have this Truck. I do not commute with it because the gas mileage is what it is. It is very comfortable and with a bad back the full featured seats with heat are the way to go! The car talks to you and tells you everything you need to know. The handling, stereo system and quad bucket seats are the best. The power is unmatched. Visibility is perfect. I really love this truck.