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:

• 

  inside overhead shield - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By P. Johnson - October 6 - 2:00 am

  My equinox is 1 month old. The interior shield is sagging. Dealer says they just received a bulletin on it and will call me later today. It sags about 2 inches.

• 

  Be careful! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By ArtisticInAZ - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Lots of repairs! Had to put in a new engine around 80K. Brakes, AC compressor, plus many other minor repairs. The last major cost were new computers (it has TWO!) Apparently it is a manufacturing error and we are now waiting for money back from GM. At first we thought it was the transmission (be sure its not- expensive!) had that checked out and it was fine (honest mechanic!) It continued to have trouble shifting and finally decided not to start one day. It needed a new fuel rail and fuel pump. Still had trouble after that and found out it was the computer that caused all of the fuel rail trouble which caused us to need a new fuel pump. OUCH!!!

• 

  2nd time around - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By john - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This is #2 S-10 for me. 2002 Std with 4.3 Vortec. Tranny rebuild and fuel pump at 200,000 miles on first. sold at 225,000. This truck now runs mail route in rural NC. Went through 2 Canyon disasters and then purchased this truck with 51,000 miles on it. Replaced H20 pump, AC unit, alternator, battery,and radiator. had to have drive shaft rebuilt at 85,000. My fault because I let the rear shocks go bad and the rear end had excess drag when towing. Rye Valley Gear in SW Virginia has a rebuild kit for the connector to the rear coupler. Simple inexpensive repair for this problem. Excellent truck and I am very happy. 21 to 23 mpg without trailer. 19 to 21 when towing. Use Shell 87 for fuel.

• 

  V-6 for the price of a 4. - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By Frank - October 4 - 2:00 am

  2nd Impala (had a 2007) and it is very good, improved brake rotors, lots of standard stuff (ABS, Traction Control, a great utility car since it has power for the Mountains ( 4s are a pain in CO). Ride is quiet, sound is OK, price was terrific.

• 

  05 equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Great SUV - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Ivr read all these problems that people have been having, i havent seen anything, yet. The interior looks great no peeling paint. i suggest getting leather for the seats to avoid stains :)

• 

  Like It - 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By John83 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Got the new Tahoe to replace my problematic Chrysler Aspen in July. So far the truck has done really well, smooth and quiet ride, leather seats are comfortable, not too bad on the off- roading sector either. I use this vehicle a lot for long distance trips and it is one of the most pleasant drives Ive ever experienced. Better mileage would be nice, though what can you do with a 6000 pound car boasting an 8 cylinder. Interior is perfect, with minor flaws. 3rd row seat not folding into the floor has been a traditional trait of this vehicle and I dont understand why GM keeps it that way because it is a repetitive nuisance. Exterior looks bold and intimidating. Overall, a way better truck.

• 

  Reliable - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By cory - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable car. Only issues have been changing the oxygen sensor, but other than that it runs great and is fuel efficient.

• 

  Worth it - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By great car - September 30 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car with 40k miles in 2004 and have had some of the same problems as others. coolant leak, but i did a total flush and leak repair and have had problems since. some electrical problems flasher, cigarette lighter kept blowing fuse. i now have 139k miles on her and i have no real complaints. i think this car has been a great car and i still feel like i can take long trips with confidence. so far this year i have taken it to south fl from north Carolina 5 times without any problems. I get about 30 mpg on high way and not sure city but around 24.

• 

  Gasket Trouble - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gasket Trouble - September 29 - 2:00 am

  Tons of interior and trunk space, especially rear seat "leg room" which is perfect for child seats. Replaced head gasket at 72,000 miles and cat-converter at 82,000. The clogged cat was a symptom of the prior gasket failure. This is the 3rd GM 3.4L V6 I have owned, head gasket went in all 3, poor engine design. Get the LS with the 3.8L and youll be just fine. Crossing fingers that repairs over $1,200 are done with for a while.

• 

  Love and hate - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By danmar - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This is my second LTZ 4WD. My 07 has some interior flaws (e.g peeling, rattles, loose fits)that has been addressed in the 2010 model. Powertrain is ample and satisfying and reliable as always. Ride is smooth and quite that seems to feel too soft and disconnected to the road at times, then again this is not a sports car. Im not sure what to think about the third row seat-I like it because it can be removed (its heavy) and give you more cargo space and maybe save a little on gas for not hauling those extra weight if you dont need them-but they are heavy and awkward-fold flat is much nicer to look at.