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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  Very reliable automobile. - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Lee Mullican - March 15 - 11:59 am

  I purchased this car in April of 2001 with 28000 miles and it has been as reliable as one would want. I had the AC compressor replaced at 45000 and sans the typical maintenance this car has been a dream. Pickup is very good, handles bad weather (snow/rain) well and fuel economy is a solid 20MPG. My only issue with this is the steering ratio is really short.

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  Engine - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jaw - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Slow on take off. Also the engine and tires are noisy. Looking forward to trading it in.

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  2003 Monte Carlo - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Bobcat - March 15 - 2:00 am

  The Chevrolet Monte Carlo is very nice. From its sporty body style to its interior. Its 16 inch wheel base makes this car handle very well. This car has some excellent safety features. It gets very good gas mileage.

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  Dont Hate, Appreciate! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By CHINGON - March 15 - 2:00 am

  The 03 SS is a great over all TRUCK as far as working, towing, going out with the family or simply cruising. It also has a Six Disk C.D. Bose System, XM Radio, and On Star System. On safety the SS has AWD system and upgraded breaks, 20" Al. wheels, and a throghty sounding exhaust system. That you cant say about Ford, all you got is a two seater with an engine and the bed is just for looks because you cant load it. If you want competition I suggest you wait for the upcoming Regular Cab SS with an upgraded 6.0L V8 putting out about 495HP and over 500 torque. This power is being generated with out a super charger unlike the Lightning.

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  At last, GM got one right - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rod - March 14 - 11:02 pm

  Updated All American look returns. Light years better in most depts. than C4-C5s. Well balanced design, performance and handling. If theyd only cure RF tire noise on concrete freeways. Retains a hint of earlier crude front suspension feedback on rough streets. Needs a hair more suspension travel. Good interior styling and (almost) quality look. GM had to include a cheesy painted plastic panel on forward console and climate/radio controls. Ltd leg room for over 6 2" drivers, needs 3 more inches there. 6 spd auto allows broad power choice, just keep revs over 2K. After 6K mi. Ive noticed occasional clunks shifting into R and occ sloppy/slow shifting in D or S. Must be the DBW.

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  Nice ride - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Johnny - March 14 - 9:27 pm

  Got it not expecting much. Rides like a limo and extremly roomy. Doesnt feel too big either

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  07 Avalanche LT is awesome - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Grandman - March 14 - 7:41 pm

  I traded in a 2001 Durango for my Avalanche. One of the best moves that I have made dealing with vehicles. The ride is very smooth, seats are comfortable and the Bose stereo system is fantastic. I have had the Avalanche for only two weeks, but I just had to give Chevrolet a big pat on the back for making this great truck.

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  HHR = Hot Home Run! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Hooked on GM anew! - March 14 - 4:16 pm

  GM has hit a grand slam home run with the HHR. My buying criteria were simple: comfort, fuel economy and air. HHR is exceptional on all 3 counts. The front seats are among the best in the industry. At 7.7l/100km mixed driving Im more than sold. Add in the reliability of the Ecotec power train and the Getrag transmission; the roominess; the retro styling; the lower cost of repair (it costs a lot money to ship parts from Asia); the kart" like handling; and the HHR becomes a Honda beater! GM has taken stock of the market and taken straight aim at the Asian imports, whacking Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Mazda right up the side of the head. Well done GM!

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  6 On One, Half a Dozen On The Other - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By sbddmd1 - March 14 - 11:50 am

  I absolutely love the versatility of the bed and backseats, came in handy many times. Very comfortable ride.

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  Pauls LTZ - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Paul - March 14 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is a pleasure to drive. It is so quiet and comfortable youd think you were in your livingroom. The sound system is fantictic. Great Job G M.