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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  Grandma car but very functional - 1993 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Stevenator - July 25 - 2:00 am

  We bought it one year old from a rental company. It has some wind noise that I never could solve. Radiator hose was routed poorly causing it to wear through, finally added my own cover. Goes through brakes like crazy. We have the 3.1 V6 auto, it has locking torque converter and gets honest 30MPG on the hiway. Great little engine. Reliable until recently. After 10 years, have replaced alternator, torque lock switch, intake manifold gaskets (for oil leaks), 3 fuel pumps and counting. AC finally gave out.

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  Love it - hate it - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Tina V - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car because of what it offers -- cargo capacity with ample room left over in the trunk, which I couldnt find in other comparable vehicles. Not impressed with the quality. Have had 2 transmissions (within 20,000 miles). Still having problems. Other minor irritations exist. Its a great driving car for long drives and we have enjoyed it for that reason alone and piling up the tents, coolers, baseball gear, kids, etc. Strictly for that, I stick with the car and do like its styling. Its a macho machine. I just wish our ownership experience didnt include so many trips to the dealership!

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  Why an Avalache? - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Pete Smith - July 24 - 10:00 am

  Too new to review except that the selling points to me were the combo of an SUV, which I was coming out of, to the usefulness of a truck which I need in my shipping business.

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  I like it. - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By blupupher - July 24 - 10:00 am

  Very impressed overall with entire vehicle. It comes with some features that are new to me as a former Dodge truck only owner, ie automatic headlights, speed compensated volume on radio( although not needed, it is very quiet at hwy speed), strong I-6,and smooth acceleration and ride.

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  Service gets to see it alot - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Kristin68 - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I have to say when I first got the Venture, I was thrilled. It fit 8 people comfortably, the kids had room and entertainment. However, in 1 year I have had the brakes replaced and the rotors. The rotors cannot be turned on a Venture....strike one Then we had to get a new Hub Kit...the wheel bearing went....strike 2 Not sure I would get this one again. Expensive van and something we purchase as a safe reliable family vehicle.

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  Not bad - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By gwstevenson - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Not a bad truck. I had a K1500, and this is nicer than that truck, but still isnt as good as I could (should) be, especially considering the price. Workmanship/quality isnt nearly as good as it should be. I have upholstery coming unstitched, rattles and vibrations that cant be diagnosed, etc. Overall it isnt too bad though.

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  No bad--but not perfect - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Chris - July 23 - 12:03 am

  I bought this vehicle for commercial use and it has been pretty good. Problem areas have been the fuel injectors (replaced under warranty), and faulty gauges. After almost 3 years of ownership, the truck still looks good and drives very carlike. I chose a Duramax for its smoothness over the Ford and Dodge diesels. My truck has the 12,000 GVW package and I have not been able to bottom out the suspension, in spite of my best efforts!

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  Nice little SUV - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By merlin - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Nice body style, but looks roomier than it is. Front seats have tons of space, and excellent headroom for tall folks, but back seats are cramped for anyone over 57" (great for carseats, though). Surprisingly good fuel economy for a 4X4. 4 wheel drive is easy to use, trouble-free. Outstanding in deep snow! Periodic irritating rattle from sides of dashboard - it comes and goes, not sure of the cause. Interior materials are cheap (plastic scratches easily), and the body seems to dent easily - but what do you expect for a car under 15 grand? Absolutely no mechanical problems. Excellent vehicle for the money.

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  Chevy astro - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By ksstoddard - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I like the all wheel drive in the winter time. We have heard the windshields leak frequently on these ares does. We bought into the extended warrenty. You might need it. I have also heard the fuek injectors have gone bad frequently on the this engine. If I buy another van it would still be an Astro Im not really excited about those compact mini vans and i like the V-6 engine.

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  solid runner - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Smokin Joe - July 22 - 2:00 am

  i recently move roughly 40 miles away fom my job and i needed a commuter car. i looked into smaller cars, but found my 6 2" 265lb. frame comfortable in the malibu. so when i found one with very low mile i went for it, and ive been pleased with the results