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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  2002 Tahoe - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By JD - July 1 - 6:30 pm

  I traded in my Eddie Bauer Expedition for my Tahoe and Im very happy I made this decision. The Tahoe rides and drives much better than the expedition. I was quite surprised how much more power the Tahoe has over the Expedition. The interior on the Tahoe is very luxurious, and the heated seats sure are nice in the winter. Ive always owned Fords, so this is my first GM purchase, but wont be last.

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  Very good - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By carol lewis - July 1 - 3:33 pm

  This has been a very dependable and enjoyable auto to own and drive. Maintenance has been simple with few parts needing to be replaced. I really like the dependability with GM Engines. Timing chains sure are a step above belts, and I understand the 350 cc engines have a long life. The only downfall of the 92 Camaro is the gas economy. It’s been a joy to own.

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  Love my truck - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Z-71 - July 1 - 2:44 pm

  My Avalanche has been a great vehicle. No problems at all. I love driving a truck that is so comfortable. We drive from VA to FL, about 11 hrs straight and get out with no discomfort. None my of vehicles get great fuel mileage, so that isnt a huge concern.

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  Poor mans Vette - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By DARRELL lydick - July 1 - 9:05 am

  It is a fun and affordable car to own and drive, handles, performs, stops very well. It is comfortable to ride in and drive with 3 way adjustable drivers seat leather interior 7 speaker system. The handling, performance, style and cost of this car make this a poor mans Vette.

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  Good companion, but not made well enough - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jumperus - July 1 - 3:17 am

  Purchased this truck in 1998 and I inherited it in 2000 as my only vehicle and daily driver. It has run fairly well and performed as I needed, but my experiences have been similar to others. Seat handle broken (by a thief who smashed the window, however), front grille plastic has cracked and had to be safety wired back together. Alternator replaced, battery replaced, hole in the radiator, water pump replaced, A/C compressor leak, some intermittent starting issues, oil and transmission pan seepage. For a 9 year old inexpensive truck, its performed adequately. Little power, but nimble enough in my hands. Good beater, decent to drive, but not made very well.

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  Like a rock - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By slick86 - July 1 - 2:00 am

  This is a very good truck. It has done everything Ive expected it to do and more for a 2500 series truck. I would highly recomend it to any one wanting a big truck

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  Extremely impressed after 3,000 miles - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Steve K. - June 30 - 12:22 pm

  I have had my 2007 C6 Coupe with paddle shift for a little over 2 months and have driven about 3,300 miles. The performance is exceptional. Ive owned sedans from BMW (2002 and 535i), Infiniti (Q45,G35x), Mercedes 300D and Volvo S70, and sports models from Alfa Romeo And Subaru SVX, plus old time muscle cars (66 Impala 396 and 67 Olds 442). The Corvette is by far the most powerful, best handling and most fun to drive. At $48,000 list, it is a great value. When driving sedately, it is as well behaved as a performance sedan. When you ask for speed and handling, it responds aggressively. Plus, Ive been averaging a little over 21 mpg. Going to Spring Mtn Vette School next week. Cant wait!

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  My favorite car yet! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Deezwhiz - June 30 - 9:14 am

  My HHR has the economy of a small car, but the room and comfort of a large car. Outfitted with all the bells and whistles, this car is a very comfortable ride. The 2.2L 4 cylinder has lots of ooomph when pulling out in traffic, accelerating uphill, or even when cruising at 70mph on the interstate. No complaints whatsoever! This is the most fun to drive car Ive owned, and youve got to love the retro "gangster-car" look!

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  Junk - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By alan - June 30 - 8:45 am

  I bought this car because of the low gas mileage for this size car. It is a comfortable 6 passenger car. But you never know when you may have to walk. The 3.4 has defective intake gaskets which I have replaced. The signal light blinkers are defective. The brake rotors are defective. I have another problem with engine misfire now. This car is the most unreliable car I have ever owned.

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  Great truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bill - June 30 - 3:06 am

  Day and night difference between the old model and the new one. Great handling and comfort