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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  Better than a Saturn! - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Krammer - April 13 - 2:00 am

  The Car is 12 years old w/ 230000+ miles on it. Ive replaced heater core (150 bucks). Replaced water pump (20 bucks). Spark plug fell out (200 bucks). Maybe a thermostat (2 bucks). This was a great investment. Z24 brand new was 14,000.

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  Ok car wish it had cruise control. - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Justin Talley - April 12 - 1:19 pm

  Whats a Cruze without cruise

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  1990 Blazer S-10 - 1990 Chevrolet Blazer
  By cobrajet - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I still drive this vehicle daily and have for 5 years. I bought the vehicle with 88K on it and the problems didnt hit until 135k. Then they really hit. The oil cooler began leaking like a sive, the headliner fell down on my head, #6 cylinder developed blowby that I couldnt keep spark plugs from fouwling. In five years I drove her to North Carolina and back twice, South Carolina and back twice and Missouri and back twice and Gettysburg and back without a problem! It rides and handles like a dream. I bought it for $5,500 in 97 and it doesnt owe me a thin dime. I still love this vehicle.

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  Pleasantly Suprised - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By smartjt - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I was mainly looking at the "import" pickups before I bought mine. A friend of mine told me that the S10 with the 4.3 V6 / Auto was worth looking at since he had known a number of people who had many trouble-free miles with that drivetrain. After comparing Toyota, Nissan, and the S10, the Chevy offered the most value/features for the money. After a year and a half of ownership, I can honestly say that the S10 has far exceeded my expectations. It gets 23 mpg on the highway, plenty of power and comfort, and so far I have not had it back to the dealership for any problems. The guys in Shreveport LA built a nice truck.

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  Total Practicality - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Howardvv - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Its not a BMWr, but it does everything well and has been totally trouble- free. The Malibu has apparently earned the intial quality award that it has advertised.

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  Chevys last stand - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jon - April 11 - 2:53 am

  I bought this truck with 130000 miles.4.8, automatic. I now have 204000. Doesnt burn or leak a drop. I love the way this truck drives and rides, especially after installing super chips, heavier front torsion bars, added another full leaf to the rear springs, Bilstiens, locking rear end. I hate: defective throttle body, noisy pistons when cold, defective fuel tank sender, defective 4wd switch, defective EVAP vent valve, defective abs unit, defective fan blower switch, defective drivers side window regulator, the rocker panels no longer exist due to rot due to bad design. The dealers will not reveal how many of these defective parts have been replaced. Should have been a lot more recalls than there were.

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  WHAT A SHAME - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By LEROYVENUS - April 11 - 2:00 am

  GREAT OPTION TO THE HONDA ACCORD IF YOU CANT AFFORD THE ACCORD BUT WHAT A FRIKIN HEADACHE! I SHOULD HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON FROM THE 95 BLAZER BUT NNOOOO...BRAKES,A/C,FUNNY NOISES FROM THE DASH, ARE JUST SOME OF THE PROBLEMS NOT TO MENTION HOW FAST THESE CARS DEPRECIATE! NEXT TIME-IMPORT

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  malibu - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Beth - April 11 - 1:55 am

  for a sedan this is a great vehicle. smaller for getting around in parking lots but not so small that you feel as if sitting in a tin can. seats are bigger in front so you are not falling off set at every corner. gas millage is good and trunk is fair sized. love love love my vehicle.

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  Too little for too much!!!!!!!!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jwolff - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this vehicle about 6 months ago and have found out that I really dont like Tahoes! In the begining I loved it but the fact that is so large in size really distortes any acceleration it may have. I think that this vehicle is very comfortable but the styling is not for me. One month after I purchased this vehicle I had to have the tires replaced and the oil lines replaced. I also think that they sould change the placing of the cup-holder and the ash tray. Who the hell wants to reach over their passengers legs to put out a cigarette? Not Me! Right now half of the dash lights are out.

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  2001 LT fully loaded Tahoe - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By blk trk - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I love my truck. It is big, comfortable and easy to handle. The only complaint on this big vehicle is how easy things fall off. On my door where the buttons for the windows and doorlocks are..that panel keeps popping out. Also within about 4 months of me buying the vehicle the driver side window motor burned out and had to be replaced.