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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  OK car, bad brakes - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Go Bucks! - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car 3 years ago and have had several problems. First, the rear brakes have had to be fixed numerous times, and still arent right. But thats common for this car. I had to replace radiator when power steering pump blew up. It had a coolant system leak twice, had to replace intake manifold, and replace fuel pump and lines all in 3 years. But handles great with the 3.1L, has great visibility, and the AC and heating systems are the best Ive ever experienced. AC will freeze you to death in 2 minutes!

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  No Comparable Vehicle if its Caliber - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By starfighter - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Granted, GM could have done a better job in terms of continuous refinement of this great sportscar. Suffice to say that its simply in a class of its own. One buys a Camaro for the sheer pride of owning a part of the American muscle car history. Im tired of reading the cynical reviews. If you cant enjoy ownership, dont buy one!!! Your negative views are not going to spoil my fun!

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  Great for the price! - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Heywood - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car when I was in college. I paid $13,000 for it. I am very happy with the car. It is still running fine after 7 years and 65,000. Over the 7 years I have spent about $500 in repairs (normal wear and tear). I have taken the car from NJ to Philly to Chicago to South Dakota back to Chicago and back to NJ. It has survived everything from 100+ degree heat to -50 degree cold. Chevy company has been very good with any recalls (very minor). I would recommend this car to someone. It is a low end car, but great the the college or high schooler.

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  1997 c5 corvette - 1997 Chevrolet Corvette
  By woodyelect - April 22 - 2:00 am

  One of the best cars I have ever driven for fun and performance. This car looks fast even when it is parked in the garage. The electronics are very complex in this car and I have had a problem with the heating and cooling controls.

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  Basic transport, not bad for the $$$. - 1993 Chevrolet Corsica
  By SmOkEy - April 21 - 2:00 am

  If you need a car to get you from point A to point B, this is the car. The handling is acceptible around town, just dont push it. the 3.1L V6 was the best, and only "good" part of the car. Plenty of power for a lil joint like this. the 2.2L 4 is weak. Just watch out for bad altinators, and Brake pads wear out fast..

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  My New S-10 Crew Cab - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By TSimpson - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This S-10 has been very reliable, good handling capabilities, great "go anywhere" capability, suspension is very good for its class, very good fuel economy (23-27hwy & 17-19city), plenty of power for its class. Cons on this vehicle are: cheap finishes...trim, paint, and fitting of interior parts. Vehicle has very poor turning radius.

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  If you like small.... - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By nappy - April 20 - 2:00 am

  If you like small this is the truck for you. It has mre interior room than a ranger but when your used to a Blazer, there is no fun in a two seater pick- up. Reliable to a point, but keep an eye on alternator, A/c, and belts. Very strong little engine likes to get moving, after a little persuasion. If you are a mini truckin fan these are the standard of the crowd, very easy on gas if your on the highway often. But remember, not livable if you get easily bored by just one friend coming along for the ride.

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  Durable - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By sbbarnes - April 19 - 3:56 pm

  I purchased my Monte Carlo from my uncle who bought it new. It had a few minor oil leaks and some transmission leaks. It was easily fixed and now it currently has over 225,000 miles. Not one spot of rust, though some stone pecks. The doors havent dropped at all. It is just as quiet as ever. This one has the 3100 engine. No problems yet. Though the gas mileage isnt as good. I average 24-27 mostly highway.

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  OK Dont LUV it - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Kdog - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Typical heavy domestic car ride not bad though. Roomy. Typical Chevy interior, rattles too much cheap plastic. Not solid but competent ride. Good engine (3.1 V6), good acceleration.

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  Happeness is my TRAILBLAZER - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ted Toland - April 18 - 10:00 am

  I happy. Overall quality is reasonable for this price auto. Would like less wind noise. Good overall handling. Easy entry ahd exit for a senior (me). Inst panel easy to cope with. I have driven upper models of JEEP...This is some better.