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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  My first compact pick-up - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By hadleybradley - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle siutes my needs very well. It has never let me down, ecsept for the ocational battery failure, but all automobiles have this concern. The four cylender is OK on gas, but has potient torque off the line, even when towing. The S-10 i think is the perfect first vehicle for your kids, very reliable, stylish good looks, and easy on the bank! Oh and dont forget the drivers side air bag, a must have now a days!

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  My car - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Florence - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Went through a small flood Starts no matter how cold

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  My 2nd Astro - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By DJH - January 29 - 2:00 am

  My 1st was a 89 w/160000mls. Traded in for my 95. Ive put 35,000mls in 2 yrs. This is by far the best van ive owned. Tune ups are tough. Outside of routine stuff & fuel pump, no major mechanical problems. its got 108,000mls now. I have 6 kids, not too big- not too small. Not a luxo-van, but nice car for the money. Lots of power and drives nice for a van. Drove to Florida, filled gas in NJ, VA & GA( round trip 3,000mls @ 130 gals.).

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  Very Nice Car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ben123 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Had no problems, besides the clutch but I changed it, and had no more problems.

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  For sale or trade - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Percy Avram - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Our experience with this vehicle has been good. It is my wifes car. She is 82 and can no longer drive. The car is in excellent condition with 39,600 miles It is maroon red color with a grey interior, power-steering, air- conditioner, radio and automatic transmission. Original tires.

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  Good Truck - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By mikeyz - January 28 - 2:00 am

  I have been reading the reviews of this vehicle and am surprised by the reports. I purchased my 1996 Chevy S- 10 ZR2 Extracab in may of 1998--when i purchased it the vehicle had 58,000 miles. I recently broke 100,000 and have had (knock on wood)no major problems to report. I do change the oil regularly but other than that I have done regular maintence. I changed my transmission filter and fluid, put new brake pads, changed the idler pulley and my belts and have replaced the A/C condensor. I did all of this myself so the cost has been relatively low. My truck still has lots of power and I haul my ATV with it and I 4X4 alot with it while hunting.

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  1998 Chevy Cavalier..pretty good car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Erika - January 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my car close to 3 years...I would recommend this to anyone for a first car...Cavaliers must in general be good cars...i mean they keep making them year after year...through the years...i replaced the battery, tires, ignition switch, and serpintine belt...usual oil changes, and transmission change, brakes were put on also...but in my opinion these were typical maintenance jobs within a 3 year time...

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  a great used car - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Sal Writer - January 27 - 2:00 am

  After 6 1/2 years as a used car, the Beretta still rocks. Its been reliable, sturdy, and with standard maintenance has held up very well. The ABS are a great safety feature, I will never buy another car without em. The upholstery is the only thing that hasnt held up that well. But mechanically this car is solid. Too bad Chevy never bothered to update the car and discontinued in 96. If you have one, its a classic. The car a nice line to it.

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  Still In Question - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By NJR - January 27 - 2:00 am

  Fine until 75,000 miles, had to replace alternator twice, brakes and rotors, had to put in new Transmission, had coolant leak, motor for Windshield wipers went out, but still love the comfortable ride and big space SUV provides. Just dont expect these type of problems from SUV in this price range.

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  its OK - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By shae weav - January 27 - 2:00 am

  I like the malibu although, it is no eye stopper. I do not have any brake problems now, but i can tell they are coming on. I can alos attest to the rattling noise i can hear deep in the engine. and it does get louder.