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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  2001 cavalier - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jen - May 11 - 2:00 am

  uncomfortable for long drives, but very reliable and good gas mileage

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  2014 Chevy Silverado - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 14chevy53 - May 10 - 8:45 pm

  Ive had my 2014 Silverado for 9 months now and have had a long list of issues.Numerous recalls. Had an engine misfire at 14500 miles. Had to replace number 8 cylinder coil which had a history of misfires. Driver side door actuator went out and had to be replaced. The day after I got the truck back (less than 24 hours later) the front passenger side door actuator went out (currently at dealership writing review while its being fixed). When punching the gas the 1st to 2nd gear shift is very rough. Transmission guy at dealership said thats normal which I dont believe. Currently ongoing issue. Really hope GM reads this and contacts me. After what I spent on truck I shouldnt be having issues.

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  Not Happy - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By flsunlover - May 10 - 8:56 am

  I traded in a BMW 745i for this vehicle for the space and 3rd row of seats. I was so happy at first, until things started breaking. First, every time i filled the gas tank up, the truck missed and wouldnt run. Something was wrong with the gas tank which allowed it to fill up too much. Second, a sensor went out causing me to almost not stop in a parking lot. Then, the hybrid system in the transmission went out. Now, my driver side rear door wont open and im taking it in tomorrow. Finally, I only average 16mpg city. This is nowhere near the 21 advertised on the sticker when I bought it.

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  Good car for a money - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica
  By ves - May 10 - 2:00 am

  I got this car 3 years ago. It runs well, accelerate faaast. I had minor problems but nothing serious (water pump, muffler...). Great first car.

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  College Car still pumpin - 1993 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Scott Pearson - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Got this car in college and now, ten years later its still going strong. I am rough on cars I drive too fast and over objects all the time - this car can take it. Its a tank. And drives like a good tank - the V6 is very swift when you need it. Of course, some things happened. The hood latch broke and it needs new oil every 3000 miles. I went through a lot of tires (my fault) one alternator and some cooling problems but for the money (under ten grand) this car was beautiful. I hate to sell mine, but at 206,000 without major repair, its days must be numbered - or maybe not.

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  nice first car - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By ki - May 8 - 2:00 am

  very reliable car, i love it for a first car

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  GM bumper to bumper is a joke - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By DougJ - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I have a five day old Prism. The battery has a clear eye (low acid level) GM refuses to replace this battery unless I have a cranking problem. Delco battery is shocked that the battery is not being replaced. Delcos battery imfo from the internet states that a clear or yellow battery eye do not recharge, replace battery. This is GMs idea of bumper to bumper coverage, what a disgrace. Bill Heard Chevrolet is going to change this battery because they want to do the right thing. My local dealer refused to change the battery, because GM would not pay them. Buyer beware of GM and their coverage.

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  My Malibu is Great! - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ET - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I drive 60-120 miles most days, and this car is great. Ive had very few problems with the vehicle, and Id recommend it to anyone.

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  Far and away the best Camero - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By BillPennock - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1986 IROC before this and at about 50,000 miles everything seemed to get worse on it. The handling just went away and by 80,000 miles it was a wreck running. I have 115,000 miles on this Z28 and I drive it just as hard and its still handling great, runs great and the outside still looks great. The inside is beginning to fall apart but a few bucks and it will be back to just fine.

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  2000 Venture Plus Ext. - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By big_daddy - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Reliable, decent fuel mileage and very practical.