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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  04 SS Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By AZNeil04SS - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I love this car.

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  The car Ive always wanted - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Harry Lawrence - December 15 - 10:00 am

  The Chevy Tahoe is a car that Ive always wanted since the revision of the car in 2000. I was able to purchase a used 2003 after being in service for only 10 months and with low milage. My wife and I absolutely love the Tahoe and it has been very dependable and lots of fun to drive. It is also very roomy and delivers fair gas milagae for such a large vehicle

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  Takes a beating but still keeps kicking - 1995 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Brian Leyk - December 15 - 8:13 am

  This was my second vehicle. I got it used, only took it in for routine oil changes and otherwise repairs that were absolutely necessary. I drove it hard and fast, but still got good gas mileage. The things still kickin today! Very loud engine, and not very powerful (difficult to pass vehicles), but I could weave through traffic like a pro (without cutting people off)! Exterior wore a lot, interior was simple and wore a lot, and I had quite a bit of trouble with altnernator belts. I miss this car! I still get to see it when I visit my friend. I hope they let me drive it again.

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  A fantastic Value - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Bob Thomas - December 14 - 2:19 pm

  When I bought this vehicle, I was looking for a Buick. But I saw the Uplander just off the truck and I was impressed with the look and price! The Uplander ride is smooth like a quality car, not like a truck. I recently replaced tires and other than routein maintaince, I have had no issues. Lots of cargo room. Seven can ride very comfortably. Uplander is a great value, no doubt!

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  I Love This Car, at least for now - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Debi - December 14 - 11:53 am

  This is my first Chevy. I started researching the Equinox before it was available for purchase when I saw the great exterior. I compared it to the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CRV and for the price, it had great options on the LT and a better look. Last summer when I took it in for the 30,000 check up my service tech told me the head gasket had to be replaced, leaking but not cracked. I was shocked but happy to hear it was under warranty and nothing I did could have caused the problem. They fixed it but 6 months later, at the 37,500 check up-the head gasket is leaking again. Makes me think I shouldnt have invested the money in new tires before winter.

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  2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Johnny - December 14 - 12:45 am

  I just bought this 2004 Z71 for $11k with 69.5K miles. I have only been drving it for a week and I love it. I hope to say that as time goes on. The ride is smooth and the roominess is very nice. My twins love the DVD player too. My Z71 came with 20" tires/rims and it still rides very nice. Stay tuned. I will come back and update my review in a couple of months.

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  Its a Chevy - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dean - December 13 - 6:33 pm

  Our 1998 Chevy Malibu has been a nice car. But is very average & now at 100,000 it has required several times going to the shop. Leaky oil, tie rod, etc. Good work car

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  Third Major Repair in Two Years - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Will - December 13 - 4:37 pm

  Where should I start? Overall, the 2000 S-10 is a strong workhorse and looks good. Heres my dilemma since purchasing the truck with 100,000 miles on it. Last year, the transmission went out at 160k miles, next the third door handle broke ($140 repair and still feels like its gonna break again), the alternator died this summer, radiator broke, and the starter died as well. Not knowing what the previous owner did as far as maintenence, but for a 6 year old truck it has left me stranded again...blown engine as a result of the heater core fizzin out!! Oh, did I mention the $2600 transmission rebuild last year also? I love GM cars, but Im having second thoughts!

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  Not happy - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By not happy - December 12 - 10:46 pm

  Im not happy with Colorado at all. The mpg is far less than rated. I could drive a full size pickup and get the same. Small inside, the back speakers quit working, the ac fan works sometime, plastic inside falling apart, seat belt falling apart. The screws fell out. I think the seat is going next. No power, I have 40k miles on it .

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  Surprised - 1992 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Zeno54 - December 12 - 9:02 pm

  It was 10 yrs old with 93K when I bought it. It was fully loaded with an awesome GM Bose sound system. The 3.1 V6 was quick and powerful, yet with the overdrive, it got great gas mileage, 22 mpg city/38-40 hwy at 70+mph with cruise control on several long trips from Pa. to Fl. and Tx. The floating caliper was a faulty design and I had to replace the brake pads every 6 months. The r/r outer pad would be all wore out, yet the rest still looked new. Got smart and changed only the outer pad if the others had no wear. After 16 yrs, minimal body rust, but the salt did a number on the undercarriage, brake lines and any bolts. Id still be driving it, but a truck hit me and totaled it. Still ran great at 216K.