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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  To much fun to drive, always smiling - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By smiley - June 16 - 8:58 am

  This car has been nothing but fun. With a few modifications I get a regular 30MPG average highway and city. Best of all its a V8 sports car. Handles great, lots of powe,r never have a problem merging onto any road. Just so much fun to drive I cant seem to stop.

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  Good truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By winnertruck - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck used with 20K miles on it. To date Ive put 7300 miles on it and it has been a super vehicle. (If youre looking to get 45 MPG youre looking at the wrong vehicle!) Compared with Ford and Dodge power and mileage is great. Im averaging 17 around town and about 20 on interstates. To date Ive had no problems and only spent for maintenance items on the vehicle. I would buy another!

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  our seventh suburban - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By kathyz - June 15 - 10:00 am

  what can i say...our seventh suburban.. the only vehicle that could "really" handle four kids, two parents, gear... and friends. our newest, the "z" is sportier...but just as reliable.the kids are growing and we are having a difficult time scaling down. we travel a lot and the third seat has come a very long way...but why not a 3rd seat option light?!?!?..we miss the movable head rests A LOT!!

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  First corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bills fan - June 15 - 10:00 am

  The engine sound and power output is great. Ive driven a stick off and on for 30 years, and this six speed is worth every penny. New color for 2004 - medium spiral gray metallic - really stands out in the sunlight. I love it.

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  Z06 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 03z06eb405 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  The best vette yet

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  The lemon in the bowl of fruit. - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Blank - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Sharp looking vehicle; good fuel economy for an SUV; handles well; However, lots of repairs, rattles and noises. Overall, it has all of the parts of the puzzle. It just wasnt put together well. Disappointing!! Selling it ASAP.

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  Pleased & Happy - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By keli - June 15 - 10:00 am

  My first experience was with a rental used to help my sister in law. I loved the way the car handled and the comfort and it was exceptional. It was so enjoyable to drive that when we had to repeat the trip 2 wks. later I specifically requested another Impala. This one was even better than the first time as I was more accustomed to it and gas milage increased to a combined city/highway of 31.9 mpg. I started pricing Impalas after that and eventually my wife and I bought a new one. A third trip was planned which was going to involve another rental and of course I told Avis well in advance, that I wanted another Impala.

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  my trtail blazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By pman - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I have driven chevy blazers sence 1976, all full size. This Trail Blazer is much better than any of them, latesest one being a 1991, only difference in size is lose of cargo room in rear. We have driven this Trail Blazer to Fl. last year & planing to drive again this year, handles greaaaaaaat on the open road as well as side roads.

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  owner - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By me - June 15 - 10:00 am

  i owned a 2000 impala and it was a great car and i expect this one to be better than the 2000 was

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  OK-good car - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By asdfjkl - June 15 - 9:56 am

  Was great for about nine months, then little things started to happen. Check engine light came on. Took it to autozone for diagnostics and they told me it was a camshaft position sensor. Its acceleration improved after that. The starter failed me in December...which I fixed. The V6 does not give a do-it-yourself person much room to work around. The wheel bearing on the front right side became very noisy and had to be replaced. As far as minor annoyances: Vent selector knob broke (without abuse), the "ding ding ding" of the alert when you get in the car or are low on gas is very annoying, cornering isnt great, nor is mpg. Its an ok-good car. Not the best, nor the worst Ive owned.