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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  S10 Tahoe Regular Cab - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By JohnnyP - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck. good fuel economy. V6 not a good engine. looks good runs good. cant hold 300 pounds without bottoming out.

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  Got my moneys worth - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By GreenMan18 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car with 12k miles in spring of 94. It now has over 167k miles. This car took every bit of abuse I gave it. Body held up for as long as it could and longer than expected living in the "rust belt". Interior is still fresh and firm. Other than the notorious GM brake problem...this car has been solid. Radiator went at 140k (rust related). Battery went at 150k. Stuts at 90k. Rear suspension is now officially shot,bushings are gone (150k). Still runs like a top!

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  Great car for the price - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Suzann - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Lumina at an auto auction, and have been very pleased with it. I did have to replace the alternator on it, but for the price I paid (less than $6k for a 4 year old car with under 40k miles), I dont think that was so bad.

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  Harmonic Exhaust Vibrantion - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By doubleclutch2 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  5000 miles of frustration trying to determine why the vehicle vibrates at 1250 rpms. People tell you the truck looks good but beauty is only skin deep and this flaw should have been determined before shipping. All this fine tuning for fuel mileage just seems to cause problems else where.

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  Real Sporty Sedan - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By barry - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2001 Chevy Mailbu LS. I love this car but its time for a new design since this vehicles made its appearance in 1997 not many changes have been made when many cars in its class have had total make overs. But in all this car is a great car my friends love it and i love it is my pride an joy. i have had only minor problems only the brakes had to be turned. I love this car.

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  Put to the test Monte - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Kylene King - September 2 - 3:53 am

  The 1999 Monte Carlo Z34 was my very first car, and Ive had it for over 3 years. Naturally, as a teenager, Ive put it through a lot. The leather option is nice, but is somewhat "cheap" feeling, not at all like the leather found on newer models. Gas mileage I would have to say is "average." As a high-end V6, it definitely has power. Handling is good, steering seems good to me. The AC and heat is "average."

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  think about it - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Fox Hunter - September 2 - 2:00 am

  fun to drop the foot but all around this car is making me tiresome. pretty slick sitting inside but its not comfortable. you sit on the ground and the seats tire you on long rides. one stupid place to put a cat on the floor. becoming a boring body style. new style looks better. after only 78K miles i have dealt with a water pump break opti- spark and starter problem. dont forget how ingenius it was to put the opti- spark under the water pump. car is on sale and im looking to see how comfortable the newer zs might be. also looking towards ford to see the mustangs, can be fast too. i hear they are a better fit. camaros are fast but nothing else

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  2000 Impala LS - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Walter - September 1 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but problems from day one.First probems with keyless entry, receiver replaced, two computers replaced ,the dealer called GM, they told them it was the circiut board behind the instrument panel, problem solved. Next creeking noise when turning sharply to left and right. Dealer replaced steering rack, not the probem.Called GM, They told the dealer it was flex in the engine cradle. Not enough room for the rest of the problems.

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  S-10 - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Mac Daddy - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Can very relible and can take a beating.No matter how much u abuse the truke it will keep on running stong.

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  BuyingWifeOdyssey,So I CanDrive theTruck - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By volfan - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Purchased 3 months ago to replace my 15 year old SSE, and I cant get my wife out of the drivers seat. We have put 6800 miles on the truck and LOVE IT. Need to replace the 96 minivan now so the warranty does expire within 18 months. LET ME DRIVE THE TRUCK!!! Bose sound system is worth the $$$ esp. in DRIVER mode. Have had one mechanical problem to date: Pressure switch on AC, shutdown compressor on a hot day. Minor trim issue on rear hatch. No rattles - SOLID. Not as much storage behind 2nd row (w/3rd row flat) as most minivans, but it is what it is, a mid-sized SUV. Being 66", there is plenty of room up front. Have gotten 21 mpg on highway.