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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  Ol Reliable - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bud Utecht - November 30 - 2:40 am

  As a contractor, we work this truck hard, tow with it, haul with it, and it has never let us down. Comfortable, good ride, nice features. As with all GM trucks of this era the speedometer leaves a lot to be desired. We do have 170,000 miles on this truck. Still rock solid.

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  Good, but in the shop a lot - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By SFOBPH - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought it because the price was right. I dont regret it, but it has been in the shop too often. Most fit and finish problems, but there was one serious engine problem.

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  Lots of problems - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Love it and hate it - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Recall on the spark plugs. Just recently a recall on the emissions. You can get these fixed at any Cheverolet dealership. I have had four altenators. Not cheap to fix but husband is a mechanic and saved me $400 in labor charges. I love the car but it has really been a headache. Also replaced the air conditioner and the fuel pump.

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  To the Xtreme - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By bigjr_fan - November 29 - 2:00 am

  It took me awhile to find an xtreme in my area with the right color and engine combo (for me: black, 4.3, 5 speed) but once I found it I was very happy with almost every aspect of the truck. I have made several modifications to the engine and interior to boost performance. I wouldnt recommend this vehicle for a daily driver, rather a weekend toy.

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  Chevy Scores High with me! - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Matt Johnson - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I think that this truck is a very good buy for someone who needs to be able to tow small things and also get good gas milage. However, being six foot four inches tall I think that it is just a little bit to small for me. I love how dependable this truck is.

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  Vroom Vroom, and away she goes!! - 1990 Chevrolet Camaro
  By LoverOf67-92Camaros - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I personally love this car because its a great buy for someone if they are looking to builg a stree machine. These cars are quick, easy to build & work on, and cheap the puchase (and relatively cheap to work on). These cars can run low 12s in the 1/4 mile with very little additions.

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  Retirement Car Not! - 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sherri T. - November 26 - 3:45 am

  First of all, I love 98% of my new 2017 Chevy Equinox. I have been a Ford person all my life. But, in researching for a new car, we found the Equinox had everything we wanted at a lower price. However, there are two things that I dont like about my new car. The first thing is the car tank on the passenger side. I bought this car to be my retirement car. I wanted to have my car paid for before I retire and have time to enjoy the ride. But I dont find it to safe if I am alone to get out of my car to go around to the other side to pump gas. Please make all new cars with gas tanks on drivers side. I also had the opportunity to ride in the back seat. I didnt realize that there were no air conditioning vents in the back. When having " hot flashes ", you need air. The passengers up front were freezing so we could get enough air in the back! Please make sure that there are air vents in the back for passengers! I have learned that the 2018 Chevy Equinox have these things corrected. Looks like I needed to research a little more for my retirement car!

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  My 1999 S10 - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By Dean Maropoulos - November 26 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle 0n September 29, 2002 as a used vehicle. I noticed a few drops of oil on the garage floor and first thought it was from the dealer oil change from the filter. But it has persisted and gotten larger. I took it back to the dealer today to see if it is a main seal leak. The truck has just 56,000 miles on it.

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  Great looking, great on gas - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By ChristopherS - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive used this truck for 5-1/2 years and have only replaced one radiator (under warranty). Never had any major work. Ive driven this truck from Vancouver over the Cascades into Leavenworth several times, as well as down to California twice and Calgary a few times. Great reliable truck! Dont try stacking three guys into a standard cab (did that in LA with no A/C - Oi!) but fits great for two. Super little features (3 cig-lighter- type outlets, many lights, HUGE mirrors) make this truck a pleasure, whether parked (perusing a map) or driving!

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  S-10, best car ever! - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Snayperskaya - November 26 - 2:00 am

  I have only driven chevys and american cars and of all the cars I have owned or driven I have to say that my 98 s- 10 is the best I have ever owned. Powerful, comfortable, looks like a million bucks and above all it is very dependable. I have 98000 miles on it over four years of ownership and it has been in the shop only three times for fairly minor repairs. I have been in all types of climates and roads you can imagine, deserts, mud, dirt roads and highways. Getting groceries or camping this truck does it all. It rules!