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:

• 

  Just do it! You wont be sorry. - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By z714x4dude - April 21 - 8:48 pm

  Well, after months and months of research we did it. 2007 LTZ 4x4. Best quality in years. GM got this one right. Mileage is very good for this burb. 15/20. I have been getting 17 mixed to work and cant wait to take it on a long trip. Im sure we will hit 20+. I know others with much smaller SUVs that dont get as good milage and we have much more room! You know who you are. Nav is great, Smooth ride, lots of room, easy to drive. We didnt get a burb last time and wish we had. Do your homework you will buy one too.

• 

  Incredible vehicle. - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Phil P - April 21 - 6:35 pm

  Exactly what I wanted with only minor improvements suggested. Beautiful truck, virtually silent driving, love versatility and comfort. The 2 tone seats look great. The seat warmers are a must for tired muscles and bones. Over 16 mpg in town. Handles and rides much betterr than my 02 Suburban. The dashboard is well set up and easy to see.

• 

  Power, Roomines, 23 mpg on trips - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By dave8697 - April 21 - 5:27 pm

  Owned it 9 years and 102k mi. I didnt expect it to be perfect and it wasnt. It was $18,400 out the door and stickered for $24,800 so I could easily afford the $250 trans repair in year 6 and the $350 rear a/c line repair in year 7. One water pump, one battery, one serp belt. Very reliable. Takes $9 brake pads and $35 tires. Roof rack adds only interior noise.

• 

  Good Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By krussell - April 21 - 10:00 am

  This is a solid truck with great performance from the 6.0 liter engine. I tows my 24 foot travel trailer very well and delivers acceptable gas mileage both when towing and not.

• 

  Drives like a car, looks like a truck - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By TruckLuvR - April 21 - 10:00 am

  Super truck! A co-worker who owned one tried to get us to try one. We didnt like the style so never test drove it. Then it came out WBH. Awesome! We actually prefer this over our Chevy Suburban. Extremely quiet, smooth riding, great turning radius. Luv the door ajar alert, rear center shoulder belt, roominess. But it is a little nerve racking when backing up.

• 

  Nice vehicle!!! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By GBPacker - April 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought new. Fun to drive; impressed with smooth engine and automatic transmission. Nice height, easy in & out. Couple of minor problems with wipers/auto moisture detect. Dealer fixed, no further problems. Owned a GMC Yukon previous; nice vehicle, but the Trailblazer is great. Would definitely buy again. Drivers side rearview mirror changes position when key is removed and engine restarted.

• 

  its about time - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Gary&Dana - April 21 - 10:00 am

  It took a while but they did it and they did it good just traded a 2001 Z71 thought i would never get rid of it untill i saw it. I got rid of my sport truck that i built for an extended cab Z71 now im back in the saddle again.

• 

  2006 Chevrolet SSR - 2006 Chevrolet SSR
  By John Scudiero - April 21 - 7:29 am

  I have had no problems with my SSR 10 months owned. The SSR is very stylish, peppy, and fun to drive. Mine is yellow and very easy to clean. I can wash, dry and complete the entire interior in about 1-1/2 hrs. The cost of new tires is not as expensive as most think. There are so many gadgets and settings that I have yet to get the full use out of the electronic features, and must spend more time to understand full use. I refuse to put a front license plate on the SSR, as it takes away from the look, even though its law here in IL. Replacement parts are not readily available, as I have been waiting for a chrome seat ring since purchase. I worry about parts replacement, if an accident occurs.

• 

  Awesome car - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Scortch - April 21 - 5:26 am

  I fell in love with this car when I saw it and drove it. I had been doing research on the net and narrowed it down to a few cars but the Maxx was my choice. Nice car to drive, has the power and comfort. Some have problems with the steering but I thought the steering was just fine. No worst to me than any other.

• 

  Great car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bruce - April 21 - 3:16 am

  This is the least expensive new car I ever owned, It is fun to drive. Its got a great 2nd. 3rd gear winds out great. Got lots of coments. Going to put chrome wheels on it, and she will look great. Just a base car, but got all the right equipment. Chevy is on the right road with the Cobolt. I think its got it all. A fast little SS and a great base