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:

• 

  2003 Coupe - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By doxvet - June 28 - 10:57 am

  As my 1st US car, I was nervous, especially with a high tech car, but it has been flawless. I have had no major issues. It performs great with minimal maintenance. You can do as much or as little as you want with this car. Cross country was very comfortable and roomy enough for 2 adults and all our gear. Middle of summer,100 degrees outside, and it was smooth sailing.

• 

  Love this truck! - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Terri - June 28 - 10:53 am

  This is my second Tahoe. I traded an 02 in for this one because my experience with the 02 was so great. I stand by my original thoughts. I will never own anything else! I test drove a lot of SUVs and did a lot of research just to be sure when shopping, and nothing compares to the comfort and ease of this truck. I knew what I was getting into with the MPG, so I really cant complain about it. I have had a few minor problems that were quickly resolved: locked up steering wheel, the automatic rear door stopped working, etc. Overall a great experience and I will have owned it for a year in a couple of days!

• 

  Great car! Fun to drive! - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By kimberly0130 - June 28 - 9:45 am

  This is the second Camaro Ive had (last one was a 97), and I was even more satisfied this time around with the overall performance. This car is still running great after owning it for 5 years. Keeping up with the maintenance is essential for these cars. I wasnt as careful with my last Camaro, and I ended up with several mechanical problems.

• 

  Love my Trailblzer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Blueskies - June 28 - 9:24 am

  A friend told me about how she loved her Trailblazer. I bought a new one in 2004 and have been in love with it ever since. There was only one minor recall, I have not had any problems with it (knock on wood), and the service people at the dealership are so pleasant and helpful. I will drive this SUV until it dies and then I will go out an buy a new Chevy.

• 

  Never broke down in 8 years - 1999 Chevrolet Tracker
  By KennyS - June 28 - 8:44 am

  This car has never broken down once since December 1999 with only 400 miles to start with. I changed the oil religiously and never drove crazy. Ive recently had the brake pads changed for the first time in 8 years. Ill be driving this car over 2,000 miles from TX to WA so Ill really be testing it now. The exterior black plastic runner along the drivers side door has come unglued and is about the only noticable defect. I dont know if Im just lucky or if I have the only Tracker that was built to last.

• 

  2007 Equinox LT FWD - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Lv2Bowl - June 28 - 8:17 am

  I just leased a 2007 Equinox LT FWD the end of May. I love it! So easy to handle, very comfortable, and great on gas mileage for a V6.

• 

  Overall great car - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Wheelman - June 28 - 7:55 am

  Ive owned for almost two years now and love to drive this car. Great looks, power, handling, and fuel for a full-sized car. And a big trunk. I was driving 128 miles a day to and from work, and now only 63. Its a nice ride. Ive had a few issues including turning the brake rotors and had the intermediate steering shaft replaced. The steering shaft was covered by warranty. I enjoy the comfortable ride and plenty of power to get around traffic. I bought this car because of the Consumer reports rates very well, great looks, and fuel mileage for a descent V6. I hope the newer style models rate well for my next purchase down the road.

• 

  In love with Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tiger - June 27 - 3:35 pm

  Ive read many a review on the Malibu and keep seeing that people think its "blah". I love my Malibu, I think the exterior is sleek although not outstanding, the interior is nice although not extraordinary, and so far its been a good car although Ive only had it about a year out of the 3 years this car has been around. This car is not the best Ill admit, but I didnt buy the best, and I wasnt expecting to. If I wanted the best I would have bought a Cadillac or something equally as good or better. Im definitely happy with my purchase and would buy another one in a heartbeat.

• 

  I love it! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Rick - June 27 - 1:05 pm

  This has been the best vehicle I have ever owned. I knocked out the factory muffler and replaced it with a Dynomax and eliminated the rear resonator. I also replace air filter with a K&N. My truck has the feel of a sports car and the fuel economy of a smaller truck. I average 19.5 MPG and it has 85K miles on it. The only items replaced on it have been the O2 sensor, serpentine belt, four tires and headlight relay. I have maintained it according to OEM requirements. I considered many SUVs before purchasing this truck and comparing others I still cant find a better truck for the money after 5 years. I still have the original brakes!

• 

  Silverado 3500DRRW - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By greasemonkey - June 27 - 9:56 am

  Great vehicle, I have not had any problems at all so far. Regular routine maintenance. Will pull anything I give it. Duramax is the way to go.