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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  Chevy needs to improve blazers - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Laredmun - July 20 - 2:00 am

  i bought this 95 blazer LT with 123K ive only had to fix the brakes on it and replace two rotors the engine seems to lack power. the MPG is 16-17 ouch that hurts but other than that my blazer has performed well now it has 138K

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  Great truck to have...countless uses. - 1994 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Bowmanator - July 19 - 2:00 am

  This a great vehicle to own, especially with a family of 5 and a dog. Road trips.....no problem. Just had the water pump and alternator replaced at 120000 miles, everthing else is working wonderfully. Smooth ride, this thing cruises stealthly at 75 on the freeway, a full tank of gas will get you nearly 650 miles on the freeway. Scheduled maitinence and no misuse or abuse will make a long lifetime for this massive suv.

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  Crap on Wheels - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Camph - July 18 - 2:00 am

  A problem ever since I owned it. Had 3 rear main seal leaks, two oil pan leaks, 9 rear pinion seal leaks (and it still leaks).

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  s-10 - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By marshall gibson - July 18 - 2:00 am

  In my experience with S-10s ive found that theyre very tough and dependable. ive seen S-10s put through the worst off road abuse you can give a vehicle. from mudd riding to jumping them like in the dukes of hazard. theyre a practical truck also. they dont drink gas like a full size truck but they can still haul or pull any load. For the money an S-10 is in my book the best buy.

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  2001 Chevy S-10 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By GEOBARI - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Ride and feel is Fantastic. Quieter Than you would expect from a small truck. Tight steering and smooth ride. The 4cyl 120 hp engine leaves a lot to be desired when competing with the big boys for highway space, but does pretty well. Fuel mileage is acceptable. On my last trip I got around 26 mpg.

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  DECENT - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JENNY - July 18 - 2:00 am

  OVERALL I LOVE MY MALIBU, ITS CUTE, COMFTY AND FITS ME VERY WELL. IF YA LIKE A SOMEWHAT SMALLER CAR... THIS ONE IS A EXCELLENT CHOICE. B/C ITS TOO BIG AND NOT TOO SMALL.

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  solid car - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By speed400m - July 17 - 2:00 am

  my car has been in the dich, stolen. electrical system is fried power locks dont work and status lights in dash are all usless, ABS only works when it wants too. the thing rusts and rusts, it needs painted every year. its now rusted all over and was just painted.

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  Great little truck! - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By Handy Andy - July 17 - 2:00 am

  This is my first truck (Ive owned 8 cars before). I love the convenience of being able to haul all kinds of stuff. I have all the options that I need. Supprizingly comfortable ride for a 4WD! I only have 1300 miles on it now, and have a wheel shimmy in the back (feels like the back). Will have to get that checked out...

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  So Far So Good - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By shawn - July 17 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car a year ago and it had 23,000 miles and we now have 35,000 on it. I and my wife love the car. In fact Im talking about buying a larger car for my wife just so I can drive it every day. Extremely comfortable and sporty. Had the breaks and suspension checked a week ago and was told they are in excellent condition. Couldnt have asked for a better car considering the Buick we last had. Took the Malibu on a 1,400 mile road trip?Perfect

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  best car yet - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By BJone23 - July 17 - 2:00 am

  i love this car. im actually thinking about purchasing another car, but i dont think that i would get rid of my chevy even if i went and got another.