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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  Good Car - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bryant - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This is a very good car. Its would be a perfect car for new and young drivers. The car has good safety features, and the car is not dangerously fast. So you kid will be safe and still look sharp driving it.

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  Great First Car - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By PrincessEL - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I got this brand new in Oct. 96 and it was my first car. I could not have asked for a better one. I just traded it in for an Explorer because I wanted more room and a higher view, but I miss the great speed and fun of driving it. Mine Camaro was red and I got compliments up to the day I traded it in. It got nice fuel milage for a sports car, was very dependable, the drivers seat was compfortable, and it was one of the best looking cars on the road. I would recommend this car b/c I wish that I still had mine. Thanks for the great memories Chevrolet. I would not have bought a Ford, except the prices were too good.

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  Nice Truck--Price Was Right! - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bob - April 22 - 5:10 pm

  I got this truck at the very end of the model year; and I must say the price was right! I traded a 99 Dodge Dakota, which served me extremely well, but was getting long in the tooth. Ive put 3K miles on my Silverado so far and am completely satisfied with the handling, power and quality. I must say, I dont care for the weird lint problem on the seat! Otherwise very satisfied. The size and body style does take a little getting used to in getting around town, backing up and parking in tight spaces. My wifes 03 Sequioa is easier to park!

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  Wish Id bought a Ford - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By rp - April 21 - 2:00 am

  * GENERATOR REPLACED @ 50,000 MILES *TRANSMISSION REPLACED @ 77,000 MILES ($2000) *TRUNK LEAKS SINCE NEW

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  Hard to get rid off - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By New Chevy Guy - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This bad boy has taken me to NY from VA and back about 10 times. It has battle the narrow curvy backroads of VA and has taken on the pot holes and wild taxi drivers in NY. No wonder I need shock work! And most importantly it has never left me on the side of the road. Every time I try to find a reason to sell it I cant. Sincerely, New Chevy Fan 1993 Chevy Cavalier VL 2D

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  Excellent Value - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By friendofricks - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Just over 3 yrs, 24k+ miles. Agree with all the positives from the other reviewers share only a few of the negatives: slight vibration in steering column, dealer repaired under warranty, needing only lubricant. Notice slight shake in wheel when braking lightly at higher speed (rotor issue noted by others?) hesitation once in a blue moon when lightly accelerating. Tranny went on a friends Impala at 32k, but replaced under warranty. Mine is flawless so far. This is a good, comfortable, attractive, fun car, and perhaps the best overall value for $. Domestic nay- sayers should give it a good honest look.

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  Youll have to steal it from me... - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By pandama - April 20 - 2:00 am

  Purchased brand new because husband had GM supplier discount. Would have picked another vehicle, but am so happy that I was "forced" to buy the Venture. After 90,000+ miles in 5 years of driving, theres been nothing significant to complain of. My 90 Dodge Caravan caused me nothing but megabucks to replace the tranny 3 times! Ill drive it til it drops!

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  Good SUV - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By robitaillex - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used with 23,000 miles. Had a few minor repairs made under warranty (ticking noise in spedometer, rear glass defog, transmission coolant hose leak). Now at 68K miles. All is fairly well except intermittant driver window failure and occasional oil drip at hose. Biggest problem is electronic 4WD sometmes fails to engage. "Service 4WD" light comes on. Not had it checked out yet. Worked about 50% this winter. Also, cruise control stopped working about 10K miles ago. Its not the fuse. All else has been good.

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  Reliable Car - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Carmine - April 18 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy Impala has been a great car. It handles extremely well in the snow,and it holds the raod very well. It will seat up to 6 people. It has a large trunk adn is a great all around car.

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  Disappointed in Camaro - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Fabby - April 18 - 2:00 am

  Just bought the car and come to find that it need a distributor, which is $1000!! Chevy has a design flaw in the engine. The distributor is behind the water pump, what were they thinking? Terrible on gas, but hauls butt.