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:

• 

  As Advertised and then some - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By ryNH - June 20 - 4:26 pm

  Just picked up and drove 500 miles rountrip to New York. Simply put it was a great ride. Did not miss the 04 Vette convertible for the weekend.. The Active Fuel Management worked. I got better numbers then the other review. However, cruse control is out or it will sit in v8 mode. iPod quality was flawless, sunroof was not noisy. I was also very happy with the build quality. Handling was fine for long windy thin roads from NY-VT-NH.

• 

  Very nice truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Jon - June 20 - 3:33 am

  I know this is a late review, but I bought this truck used with a 100,000 miles on it and you could not tell by looking at it inside and out. I bought the 3500 because of the price, right time right price I use it to tow my travel trailer (my 1500 had tough time) Boy Ill tell you its like night and day this 3500 has no problem climbing hills and very comfortable to drive like driving your Lazy Boy chair around.

• 

  Best van for the family - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By carl Henry - June 20 - 2:00 am

  I think this is the best comprimise betwen a mini van and a full sized van. This vehicle has always been clasified as a mini van, but I think it fits inbetween. This car is larger than the voyager and can tow much larger loads. This is my second one of these vans I have bought for my family

• 

  So far so good - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By bsl64 - June 19 - 8:18 pm

  I have the 6 speed tranny and have 3000 miles so far with no problems and no noise. I love the truck and received a killer deal on a dealer promo. My only complaint was with the onstar remote access app. I can unlock and lock the doors. But every time I try the remote start it tells me the keys cant be in the truck. The problem is every time ive tried it the keys were NOT in the truck 3 calls to onstar has not solved the problem. Other then that one thing I have never owned a nicer vehicle. Love the all star package and the blue tooth calls are far better then the ones I had before with a 1200 dollar after market head unit. I would like to see spray in bed liners standard. But great truck!!

• 

  One awesome SUV - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Clinton Rardon - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my 2001 Chevy Tahoe and I couldnt be happier. I use it to pull my 19 ft boat and I cant even tell that its behind me. There is no better looking SUV out on the road right now than the Tahoe. Chevy has done an excellent job building this machine. It is rugged like a truck, yet comfortable like a luxury car. I love this vehicle!

• 

  Nice vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By score300 - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Tahoe for about 2 years now. I still like it as much today as the day I bought it. This will be the first vehicle I have ever kept for more than 2 years.

• 

  2007 Tahoe by Jeff - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jeff - June 18 - 7:23 am

  After owning 3 Expeditions and a loyal Ford owner finally decided to go GM. I sure wish I had ditched the Fords earlier. This vehicles build quality is far superior and fit and finish is excellent. The ride is more car like than SUV and handling is much better than the Ford. I am also glad not to have the rattles and shakes that the Ford had after just a few thousand miles. The only complaint is the third row seat does not fold flat, but a small price to pay for a far superior vehicle. Good job Chevrolet!

• 

  Great ride - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Colorado Springs - June 18 - 3:56 am

  My family just completed a 900 mile round trip from Colorado Springs to New Mexico. The V6 Maxx averaged 70 mph and achieved 35.6 mpg going and 33.6 coming back. This trip included mountain driving. XM satellite worked great out in the mountains. I love this car. I would buy another.

• 

  Best Body Style EVER - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Iroclady91 - June 18 - 2:00 am

  My 91 Custom Made IROC Z-28, (I know its not possible) all of this was done in Ca.by the original owner. She only has 53,300 original miles. The interior still looks brand new. I get asked to sell her all the time, they leave notes in my gas tank door. It has power everything, never been wrecked and shes still beautiful. I dont want to sell her. Hubby made me buy a new Impala 4dr LS Sport. But I miss driving my IROC. She is my 9th Camaro in 32 years. Everyone wants to take her to the drag strip. NO WAY! wouldnt want to damage her.

• 

  Great Van - 2001 Chevrolet Astro
  By KE - June 18 - 2:00 am

  This Van is like a Tank Built tough AWD is excelent in bad weather I drive this van with confidence knowing I will get to my destination I have an LT with 7 pass seating great set up exept pass seat no leg room