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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  The last of the rugged Chevys - 1990 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jeremiah - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had my K-5 for 10 years and am finally thinking of trying to find a replacement (has not been easy). I have had some problems along the way - replaced the rear end in 98, new torque converter in 99, alternator caught fire in 97 - but in all it has been a great vehicle. They just dont build them like they used to. The dash actually has metal and vinyl, and is not all plastic like trucks of today. GM really needs to re-think their interior design for new models. If I had the money, Id think seriously about restoration, but here in salt country (Central New York) it is impossible to keep the body going for ever.

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  Love my Beretta..... - 1992 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Webjocky - January 16 - 2:00 am

  this is a first rate vehicle....great styling,wicked performance....the intended sucessor to the camaro....the Beretta has a great following.

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  Solid car, good performance. - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By DVW67 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Cavalier. Our first was a 97 LS with the 2.2L engine and 4sp auto. I opted this time for the 2.4L engine despite having a good experience with the 2.2L. The 2.4L mated to the 4sp auto is a better performer when getting onto the highway from the on-ramps. The noise level is about the same between both versions. As of this writing, we have 56,800 miles on our 2001 LS (yes, we drive ALOT) and it has performed flawlessly. If asked if I would buy another, I would answer yes if we were considering another compact sedan.

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  What a fun car! - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jat20 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car since 1997. The only complaint that I can say is the roof leaked in the begenning. After getting it to the dealership numerous times, the problem was finally solved.

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  Tahoe now 3 years old - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jimc - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck three years ago just after they first shipped. Its been a great truck in general. My biggest complaints are the little things including 3 or 4 recalls. All were fairly minor, but still an inconvenience. Dealer service has been great while under warranty. The only major mechanical problem was the front end suspension had to be replaced even though we only drive 6000 miles per year.

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  Tahoe now 3 years old - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jimC - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck three years ago just after they first shipped. Its been a great truck in general. My biggest complaints are the little things including 3 or 4 recalls. All were fairly minor, but still an inconvenience. Dealer service has been great while under warranty. The only major mechanical problem was the front end suspension had to be replaced even though we only drive 6000 miles per year.

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  Best in its class and the only one. - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Runaway88 - January 16 - 2:00 am

  The best riding truck I have ever driven. I have own fords, dodges, and The best in Chevy trucks. The ride of other trucks does not compair. The 2wd with the Z66 pkg.

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  2002 avalanche - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By vancedunbar - January 16 - 2:00 am

  haul horses,race-car and drive to work in winter-great truck-nice big car ride- doesnt do too badly off-road-better than expected mileage

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  Lightening - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ericsmokin - January 15 - 2:00 am

  My biggest complaint is cluch. I have had the car for 6 months and I still cannot pop it into 2nd smoothly. Also, the car kept stalling, but that problem started and stopped within 15 minutes. Recently, the car has a hard time turning over, as if there is a clog in the fuel lines (occus about twice a week). Finally, I fill the take more in my Cavalier than I ever did in my 94 Crown Voctoria. Overall, I like the car.

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  10,000 recap on SS 2.4 auto - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By azdiva - January 15 - 12:23 am

  07 is last production year of SS models. Not to many made. engine flawless, vvt low maint timing chain. Proven drivetrain. exc handling, performance, and economy 25 mpg city. great a/c in 115 temps. windshield angle not extreme blocks heat and sun. suspension tight and rigid,great brakes,all you need for defensive freeway driving. Out accelerates most cars. Body tight. Composite graphite dash better than vinyl for durability in heat.power features galore. rfid passkey 3. effective fog lamps. Auto lighting is great,lumbar and thigh supports, trunk and not hatch with wiper, battery in rear, oil filter element on top. this car rocks. resale? ill wait a few years let the market decide.