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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  corsica - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Pottle - August 9 - 2:00 am

  really fun to drive, handles great, kinda gutless, probably fine with the v6

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  Love almost everything - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kimjef - August 8 - 7:00 am

  We have owned this car for about 7 months and have 10K+ miles. Overall we have been very pleased. This is the entry level car. We average about 19- 24 MPG ( this is disappointing). Power is alright and it handles well.

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  Rons l992 Corsica bought as a demo - 1992 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Ronnie Jackson - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Only minor problems over the years except evaporator core in air conditioner had to be replaced while under extended warranty in about 97. Air went out again in 02 and will need condenser. Also lots of problems when first got by trying to use ash tray/cup holder as cup-holder. Always messing up gear shift indicator. Finaly quit using it after taking back to dealer several times while uder warranty.

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  Almost four years and counting! - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By kites0852 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Love it. Problems with left front turn signal leads to repeated "burnout bulb" flashing that comes and goes without changing the bulb. Could be switch/socket. Had problems with the plastic fan for the A/C condenser shifting back into the condenser but R.K. Chevrolet did an excellent job of repairing it. They also performed the mod to the cruise control to prevent the shifting into a lower gear when on a road and engaged.

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  Its everything you want....but - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By tmack - August 8 - 2:00 am

  A true American sports car. Former Porsche owner - won over. Bowling Green w/Tan top, love color combo, obviously for others as they have discontinued the color. Modest interior design but coming from a Porsche,a step up. Problems w/fuel gauge (6x) replaced tanks, senders, etc.. A/C condensation leaking onto passenger floor - my own interior swimming pool.. electrical issue with radio, etc., staying on after engine shut down and door opening. Told this is not a big deal but for a 55K car it should not there in the first place.

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  Not sure - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By seanzo - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I just got one used, the 2002 LS, so its a year old. Only problem so far is that on a cold morning, if I dont let it warm up enough, the tranny sounds like its racing even at 2500 rpms, and theres no power to the car, it just crawls. If I stop and give it a minute, the problem stops. Could be an exhaust problem, a misfiring piston, transmission, or I dunno what else. Its only happened 3 times, all on a cold morning. But its not even winter yet.

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  Improvement & Luxury - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Hector NOrat - August 6 - 2:00 am

  Its a good Suv for a big family. HTey should try to lower the gas milege.

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  Meh - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By IndyBuyer - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car off the lot back in 05. I take good care of my car and my wife occasionally drives it on the highway only. I have had the back seat levers break, my trunk release works only when it feels like it - which is great if you go to the grocery store and it decides not to work. The drivers side seat frame broke at 2 welds and is now a rocking chair ($517.97 for the part alone - no tax or installation) and the drivers side door lock only locks and unlocks manually. I had to purchase new key chain units as well due to the 2 that came with the car breaking when new batteries had to be installed. DVD player stopped working and car always pulls to the left despite 4 alignments.

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  Its been a great little truck - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jimb - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Do regular maintenance and any vehicle will last. Well-powered with high-end V6 & manual trans, rides nicely, just enough cargo room (LS/Extended cab) and looks good (black w/silver trim). Bought in 98 with 46K miles, now has about 80K. W/Wiper recall was long overdue, but other than that its been a joy to own & drive (when my wife lets me).

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  Immortal Z28 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By ryandanzey - August 5 - 2:00 am

  This car brings a smile to my face just looking at it...When I am behind the wheel its even better.