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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  Great car for the dollar - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By david schenk - May 19 - 7:23 am

  What a surprise to pull into a gas station and fill up this vehicle! 38.4 miles to the gallon out on the highway. Wait until this car is broken in. I just saved 45 dollars a week in gas money. Thats awesome. Keep it up Chevy

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  One of the best cars I have owned - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By MarkNYC - May 19 - 2:00 am

  No problems in 5 years and 84,000 miles. The best thing about it is the 3.8 L V6 engine and the incredibly reliable performance. Excellent tire wear.

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  cavalier ls sport - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By USMC92183 - May 19 - 2:00 am

  It was a wise decison to buy this car even though its my first car

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  1998 Blazer LT - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Viking9950 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used from a dealer with 28K miles. Is in excellent condition. Everyone in the family wants to drive it. Traveling through mountain passes in the winter, this vehicle has done very well. Had trouble with wiper motor & front door speakers (replaced both). Fuel economy is pretty good. It pulls our 19 boat with ease. This is only a 4 passenger vehicle.

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  Malibu LS Good, but Watch the brakes!! - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DanSmith - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Pretty good car EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKES!!!!! Brakes are a big problem. I have 57000 miles and have replaced front rotor and pads three times. (once under warranty). Replaced back master cylinders twice because they leaked. (Neither under warranty). Very Disapointed in Chevrolet over their lack of help on this issue.

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  2002 zo6 - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By joko - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I love my Zo6 as most owners do , The most performance for the buck by a long shot

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  2000 Torch Red Hardtop Corvette - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By KAH_BigRedCorvette - May 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought it used with 34k miles. Since then, Ive put another 2k miles on the car. It looks and runs like new. Ive owned several sports cars and this is the best in performance. It is a world class sports car. It doesnt rattle, and everything works as it should. I had to replace the engine drive belt which squeaked. The seat rocks a bit, and the leather is worn at the bolsters. You can visit websites to see that these are common complaints. There is tire and exhaust roar (aftermarket exhaust), but I like the sound. The performance limits of the car is far beyond what most people can use.

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  2001 Tahoe - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bharrison - May 16 - 2:00 am

  The only problems I have had with this vehicle has been the heating element in the driver side mirror, the door strap hinges squeeking, and carbon buildup in the throttle body which caused a sticking gas peddle. The dealer replaced all hinges under warranty, I havent had the time to get the mirror repaired. I got rid of the carbon build up with a Tornado.

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  A great long-lasting ride! - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Nicolle - May 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car brand new 12 years ago and now have over 145,000 miles on it. I havent spent more than $800 in replacement parts and still have the original exaust and clutch. The car has been extremely reliable, getting me home safe through several snow storms and NEVER breaking down. The engine sounds better than newer cars Ive test drove lately.

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  Aged but utilitarian van - 2003 Chevrolet Astro
  By Ron 2002 - May 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had this van for little over a year with 28,000 miles. So far, Ive had no repair problems. Cargo space is what sold me on this van, and it has been impressive. It has almost as much room as my previous full-size van. This van is by no means fast but has tremendous pulling power. The steering is light and quick, but it is also loose and numb. Although Chevy has continually updated this vehicle over the years, you cant escape the fact that this is a vehicle from the eighties. While functional, interior design is very stark and dull with plenty of monochrome plastics. All in all however, Astro is a very capable and reliable vehicle.