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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  Exceeding my expectations - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Aaron - March 12 - 2:00 am

  After driving a 97 Nissan Pathfinder for 5 years, I though ride quality couldnt be improved on another SUV. I was wrong. This car rides like a well mannered Cadillac. 5.3 V8 is a must. Has a nice throaty V8 rumble when you punch it. low road noise compared to my wifes new Ford Exploder which we hate. Very little cargo room when 3rd row seat isnt folded up. Fuel economy totally stinks, especially if you like to utilize the big V8 (which I do.) Turning radius is absolutely fantastic, light years better than my Pathfinder or the Exploder even though they are much smaller. I feel very safe carrying my 9 month old. I couldnt ask for a better family car!

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  Good powertrain,bad attention to details - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mike J. G. - March 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my very basic 4-cyl. Malibu in 2/98 brand new, and had a lot of trouble initially with the warping brake rotors unitl Chevy finally put on a new set. Other problems include the infamous rear suspension creaks (which were never permanently fixed, I just got used to the noise) and the A/C switch. At 82000 miles, the 2.4L engine and transmission still perform flawlessly, which is the cars one saving grace.

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  Nice Ride but Ohh the problems! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Kenbey - March 11 - 2:00 am

  The overall driving performance of our Venture van has been very good. But oh the problems! At 49k It is having the maifold gasket replaced (thats $600.to you and me) Intermittent airbag light,rogue electrical problems with heater and ac switch, oil change light which refuses to be reset, steering box and two Idler arms replaced, front brake drums, not to mention the rear hatch strap replaced 3 times.Can we agree the plastic strap just doesnt work?

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  2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Watson - March 10 - 1:50 pm

  My wife and I bought it brand new. We havent had any problems since our bumper to bumper ran out. Warranty covered the rear defroster poking outside of the exterior glass (replaced rear window), the steering knock (chevy extended a recall on the electric steering up to 70k), the left rear running light (twice) and the front brake rotars warped and had to be turned at 32k (I had to fight the dealer on that one).

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  Crash Survivor - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By zmjh - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I was recently the victim of a hit and run accident in my 1999 Prizm - hit broadside on the drivers side near the front wheel. I havent seen the police report yet, but the impact was severe. The car is a total loss, but I think it saved my life. The car contracted like an accordion - absorbing the shock. The shoulder harness locked, preventing me from flying into the windshield, and the airbags deployed, giving my head a soft landing from the unavoidable forward movement. In short, I got out of the car without a scratch. If crash safety is your concern, I can certainly testify to my favorable experience.

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  GOOD BANG FOR YOUR BUCK - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By FELLFORANGELEYEZ - March 10 - 2:00 am

  bought it used, own it for 3+ years. no major problems. handles off-road well. thick snow and mud are no problem. rear seat is not comfortable, if you are taller your knees are even with your chin. the only good seat is the driver. front passenger needs better leg room. needs better stereo arrangement, steering wheel controls for radio, cruise control.

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  The Alternative to the Z24 - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jeef - March 9 - 2:00 am

  Its got the 3.1L V6 w/ auto Tranny, and although it only puts out 140 horses, the torque is consierably more then the 4 cylinder, and you have it at a considerably low RPM. It has a little over 80000 miles on it, and still runs strong. Engine note is good when reved, but then the American V6 exhaust note comes in to ruin it. The steering wheel makes you feel like your in a much faster car. I do though wish the radio was a little more attractive, but for an econobox, its sufficient. The car is basically the z24 package, minus the decals, wheels, and bodykit.

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  Seems like a solidly built van - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By dave26 - March 9 - 2:00 am

  This is our first mini van. We were motivated to purchase a GM van because of rebate money from our credit card, but I was pleasantly suprised at the quality we found in the Venture. The ride is smooth and quiet. The body is tight and seems well built. So far, no problems or glitches. The 8 passenger seating option is nice and the seats are easy to adjust and/or remove. We are very happy with the van.

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  nive entry level sport sedan - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jbnatt - March 9 - 2:00 am

  just bought this car and seem to be happy with it so far.This is not my first experience with the cavalier,I traded a 1991 cavaleir in for this and never had to do anything other than routine maintanance.The ecotec engine is certainly a nice improvement and the accelleration is certainly there when you need it in this little car.

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  back killer seats - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By gary sanders - March 8 - 12:47 pm

  Give this truck an extended test drive. Like the truck but HATE the seats. I have 18000 miles on this truck and its been pure misury on my back and legs. I dont know what to do because I have invested so much money in this truck that I cant trade for quite a while. I have bought a cushion but that dont help much. Get lots of comments about the great looks. If they only knew.