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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  A Great SUV for the Family and Trips - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By TheFamilyMan - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV for the whole family and for taking long trips. Lots of room in the back (third seat can be removed for extra space). Great for the kids to get in and out. This is a home on wheels.

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  Reliable Car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Sweetpea - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 53,000 miles in 1999. Since then I have had it in the shop 5 times for the brakes & 3 times for recall parts. But overall Id have to say I made a good choice when I picked this car. It runs great on gas & handles very well. It now has 95,000 and is just starting to get some mechanical problems. I have been looking for a new car & I am geering towards a newer Cavalier. Im going to miss my trusty first car.

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  Money Drain - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By captain hook - October 25 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car new and every thing was fine until the warranty ran out. With about 32000+ miles the fuel pump went out, cost to repair over 900.00, break job on front 300.00 and I believe every seal and gasket has been replaced.The car was back in the shop 2 weeks ago two more leaky gaskets and a cracked serptine belt cost 261.00. All I can say is good by GM hello Subru

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  Im running the wheels off!! - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By scottyd - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used and drive it 150 miles round trip everyday and it has not gave me any trouble(knock on wood). Hardly uses oil and gets about 33mpg. I have 130000 miles on it and it just keeps going. I plan on driving it till she wont drive no more.

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  great vehicle - 1996 Chevrolet Express
  By MikeJ - October 23 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been fantastic. Only problems I have had in 90,000 miles is that the computer went bad and intake manifold gasket. Still tuns like brand new

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  Exception to The Rule? - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Monte Carlo Z-34 - October 23 - 1:10 am

  Overall a good purchase but expensive to maintain. Comfortable driver compartment but tight for rear passengers. A joy to drive and, contrary to others experience, Ive enjoyed good fuel economy, e.g., 28 mph highway and 21 in city. Black exterior/interior and styling (with rear spoiler)is catching and appealing. Just turned 336,000 miles - yes, thats over a third of a million. Have, other than continuous service, replaced the timing belt at 300,000 miles and transmission at 320,000. Have serviced car at dealership over 50 times in the 8 yrs of ownership. Expect to sell for $3,000 in spring of 2006.

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  Old Reliable - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By MichJD - October 22 - 2:00 am

  After 9 years of this car, Im still not ready to give it up. Comfortable, roomy, great value for the money, and reliable as a Swiss watch. No drive train/transmission/radiator/AC problems. Early problems with the brakes, of course. Replaced a ball joint or two and some struts. I wish Chevy still made this car.

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  This is a truck ?? - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By PA Jay - October 22 - 2:00 am

  You will not believe this is a truck when you ride in it. It rides like a full sized car (comfortable). I was pleasantly surprized at the pep this truck had for its big size.

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  Great Purchase I believe - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Kenton - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1990 Chevy Corsica LT from a private owner, its my first car. So far this car has been great, it gets great gas mileage, has a good amount of miles, well-maintained interior and exterior, original owner sold it, original paint. Overall Excellent buy I think for me!

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  Squeaky - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Mike in MN - October 21 - 2:00 am

  good 4x4 squeaky interior