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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  2002 CHEVY IMPALA ROCKS!!!!!!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By BIG L - June 18 - 2:00 am

  after owning this car for almost 2 years and i have to say that this car is tough as nails i have 43000 miles on it and i have not have take into service for anything except for oil changes and regular maintenance. if you are looking for car with a lot of room and features and wont break the bank the chevy impala is worth a shot.

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  A Very Fine Ride - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JoeBoca - June 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought my new Z28 in July 2002. Although I only have 5K miles on it at this time, I can say that Motor Trend was right, this car is the performance buy of the century. I have the automatic (upper back problems with a clutch). Still, this baby does fly. Very good handling. Recommend Chevy drop the overly raked windshield, fastback, the toooo (55 inches) long doors and go to the Retro version as seen in a previous Motor Trend article when, not if, they build the new one.

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  Id rather push my Chevy than drive a... - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By cmadden - June 17 - 10:00 am

  For the money, I’ve found my LS to be a great buy. It’s got a really quick, high revving engine that gets good gas mileage. Mine came with “Preferred Equipment Group 3” which includes things like remote keyless entry, cruise control and theft deterrent system. But more impressive are the standard features like automatic headlight sensors (turn on interior lights depending on light conditions), programmable door lock settings, circuit board electronics (rather than miles of wire), 16 inch aluminum wheels, full size spare, radio / CD that turns down the volume when the vehicle slows, gas shocks, dual zone AC with rear passenger controls, dual stage airbags and side impact air bags.

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  3months and all is well - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By MyZR2 - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought the truck a couple of months ago and love it. The fit and finish is good, the truck drives and looks great. I have gotten many comments on the looks of the truck. So far so good!

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  Better than Expected - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By BMan - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I am quite surprised, for the amount I spent (~$24,000, includes 2002 cash back, fees, taxes, & tags) for my Black SS with every option except the High Sport Appearance Pkg. Car handles better, rides better, performs better than I hoped for, except for the gas mileage. I had the widows tinted to cut down on the interior heat after "she" has sat in the sun. The ABS works so well I am often worried about the vehicle behind me stopping in time! If you want a two-door coupe, you really need to consider this vehicle. I expect this car to go the distance (10+ years) with minimal problems, and No I Do Not work for Chevrolet or their affiliates/dealers/allies!!!!

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  Weve Been Happy! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By dondee - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Bought this van new after my 92 Mazda needed extensive engine work (for the 4th time!). The van is comfortable to drive and is roomy for my kids and their friends. We have had this van for almost 5 years and it has 72,000 miles on it and I plan to keep driving until it falls apart! Very reliable, no major repairs.

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  This Lumina Rocks! - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Luminated - June 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this LTZ new in January, 1999. The test drive sold me on the LTZs torque, handling and ride! The 200HP 3.8 V6 and the stiff cop car like ride have made this car a favorite. Four and a half years and 143000 miles later this babys still going strong. The motor is durable and runs smoothly (no tune up yet!). Only mechanical problems have been an alternator replaced at 82K and the tranny rebuilt at 138K. I firmly believe the tranny issue is connected to a dim wit who messed up a filter change @ 70K... Bought and paid for, I hope to keep this going for, well, another 50-60K at least.

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  Very Reliable/Excellent Dependability - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dennosar - June 16 - 2:00 am

  It has overall been an extremely reliable vehicle. I live in Alaska and I travel often 150 miles one way at a stretch. The highway can be very lonely in the winter months (I carry a cell phone in case I need it, often times it is of no use to me do to the mountains blocking reception!) Four wheel drive is a must here! I use it all the time on slick roads and off road along beaches gathering clams or along the river here in extremely deep, soft, sand to fish. The only negative thing I have encountered with the vehicle was the oil cooler hoses were leaky and I had trouble getting one due to a nation wide backorder issue.

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  My 1st Camaro Convertible - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By alsolis - June 16 - 2:00 am

  First let me say, there no substitute for big engine w/ big torque.Surprising gas mileage,(50/50 hwy/city driving, 25 mpg)due to the engine not having to work much above 1500 rpm. But when the demand for horses gets the better of you, that 5.7 liters is very willing and able to deliver that power.The useable torque is available anytime in the rpm band. In these days of 4 bangers it is easy to forget those by gone days of "Torque on Demand". The 5.7 of this Camaro puts to shame the 4.6 of my other convertible, a Mustang GT.

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  Excellent Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chilly Bear - June 15 - 3:13 pm

  The truck has over 30,000 miles on it and has not had any warranty repairs. No rattles, squeaks or wind noise. Nothing. This is the first time I have bought a new vehicle and not had a few problems.