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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  Excellent truck - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ldeverel - May 2 - 2:18 am

  I do not have the LTZ, I have an LT Z71 4x4 with the 5.3 L and 6-speed tranny (3.08 rear end). I have had the truck just under two months and have 6200 miles on it and am very pleased so far. All of these miles have come with a 900-1000# payload in the back (permanent vet box) and the truck gets 15.5-16 mpg with this setup (I do not drive very conservatively). The truck will downshift into 5th and 4th on steep grades. With the z71 suspension and the 1000# payload, I have not had to add any suspension reinforcement. The rear end sits down a bit, but not even to level, let alone noticeably squatting. Towing heavy trailers with the payload does cause trailer sway, but I dont tow much.

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  Best 2500 or 3500 out there - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Big daddy Hung Low - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1500 GMc, I had an f150 supercrew. I towed my trailer with the Ford and eventually realized I needed a 3/4 ton truck for towing a travel trailer. These HD trucks are basically 1 ton trucks that are badged as 2500s. These are NOT upgraded 1500s like a regular 2500 is.The base 6.0 litre is fine for all but the most demanding diesel required tasks. The truck hauls everything you can put in it and tows and plows snow like a mother. yeah gas mileage can suck but hey it is what it is...and a lot more. Quality is great on mine. I never open the hood except for washer fluid.

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  Big Bang for the Buck - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By leaseman - May 2 - 2:00 am

  If you want to buy an American family sedan and want great value, the Impala is a good choice. Ive driven the 2000 LS model for three years and test drove the 2003 LS w/ Sport Appearance. The exterior styling is bold and sporty while the new sport appearance package gives the car a cool Corvette look. The 200 horsies provide plenty of low-end torque and the transmission is smooth as silk in the 3.8L V6. The leather seats are comfortable even on very long drives and the two-tone plastic dash looks clean and stylish. Dont let the elitists scare you away from this car! My 2000 Impala never spent one night at the dealer.

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  bad to the bone - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By formervandriver - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Held off for a long time on buying the "mainstream vehicle", but this one converted me. It really stands out from other styles of SUVs. It is black and has running boards, fog lights, a lot of standard features also. The BOSE speakers were worth the extra $. It handles great, has a solid feel and definitely dont miss the 4X4. Traction assist is more than I need. Love the 7 passenger seating. The extra length gives the vehicle a nice stance, especially with the 17" wheels and rugged but not ridiculous tires. Oh yeah, the power rear vents, the Homelink, and the recorder over the console are fun gadgets.

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  Love Avalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Mac - May 1 - 11:03 pm

  This is my 3rd Avalanche. I have bought lots of vehicles and this is my favorite. The 2500 is not your average Avalanche. It weighs about 2000lbs more and has an 8.1 litre engine. However, the outside diminsions are all the same. I now know why they put a fuel limiter switch on it. Definitely a mans truck. I pull a 3 ton boat and have to be careful because you can forget it is back there. Get better gas mileage with it pulling the boat than the 5.3 litre. But, the 5.3 did get over 20 mpg not pulling. Unfortantly they dont make it anymore.

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  Must have been built on a Friday - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By whocares - May 1 - 9:31 pm

  Purchased the tracker new in late 2000. Got the no frills, basic 5 speed model. At approximately 3,000 miles loud squeaks and squeals came from engine transmission area. I told dealer I thought it was trans but he supposedly changed water pump. Went back and forth changing parts finally trans 5th gear blew at 65,000 others are not far behind. Directional and electrical wires grounded out between firewall and trans. oil seals began leaking heavily at 70,000. Built by Suzuki but not as dependable as Samurai I have.

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  Maxxed Out Mamma - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Sharon V. - May 1 - 8:26 pm

  Ive owned this car for two months now, and still cant wait to drive it every day. As a realtor, you couldnt ask for a better vehicle. Tons of back leg room and great cargo space that fits all my signs. People stare at the car all the time when Im driving it. Those who do approach me about it cant believe its a Malibu. I almost didnt test drive it because it was a Malibu. I really wanted the Impala SS. But after comparing everything, the Maxx SS won hands down. Drive this car before you make a decision to buy and youll be hooked too!

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  The world looks better from a Camaro - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By simplyEZB - April 30 - 3:04 pm

  I have owned my Camaro since I was 15. I bought it in high school, and will never part with it. It is the nicest car Ive ever owned and the most eye catching. Ive never even seen one on the road like mine. I own a 25th anniv. heritage edition. It is purple w/ silver heritage stripes. it has factory dipped chrome alloys, t-tops, tinted windows and a mean cat back exhaust. Everywhere I go I get looks and have people ask me if its custom. I have found that it is one of the rarest color combos from 1992. There is nothing like seeing the world from the drivers seat of a beautiful, powerful Camaro with the t-tops off and the wind blowing.

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  2007 LT3 - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By BlM - April 30 - 2:25 pm

  I traded in my 2004 Avalanche for 2007 LT3. I pulled my 6500lb travel trailer without any problems and had plenty of power. With my 04 it seemed like it was always between gears. Not the case with 07. The gas mileage has also been much better (19.3). You feel no difference when the active fuel management kicks in. I am very happy with my purchase.

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  My Red Cobalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By bitterdelight - April 30 - 12:23 pm

  I like my car. Ive had it just over a year. Its cute and runs well. I have had a couple of small issues that were covered by warranty and were not much of a pain at all. I get great gas mileage 38.2 freeway and 29.4 in town. Thats good if you ask me. It has plenty of room for my sons carseat and fun to accessorieze too. Its my family car thats still sporty.