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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  Cant stay out of it - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rich - October 31 - 1:50 am

  We purchased this truck with the intenions of using it as a truck, but cant seem to keep the wife from driving it everywhere we go. This SUV is is quite the experience of good driving and relaxing interior. I just hope that the police understand when she gets pulled over because of the smooth ride that it has at highway speeds! I would buy another one. Overall it is the best deal for the money and comfort. Thank you GM

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  Comfortable, fuel efficient and luxury - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By clsharky - October 30 - 6:12 pm

  Probably one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. I bought this car with 154k kms 6 years ago and it currently has 326k kms with no engine issues at all. Aside from regular maintenance, the most expensive repair was the fuel pump replacement @ $600. However, installing it was a snap thanks to the access panel above the pump in the trunk. This car works excellent and has loads of power. The fuel economy is exceptional, thanks to its high aerodynamic rating. It barely revs above 2000 RPM at 110km/h hwy speeds, netting 36-37 MPG consistently. The styling is also very nice, and I am constantly getting positive remarks on its looks. The interior is also roomy and comfortable.

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  Love My Truck - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By txgrandma - October 30 - 9:53 am

  Im a grandmother and use my truck to haul grandkids to the rodeos, get hay, and just general travel. It is the most comfortable truck that I have ever driven. Mechanically we have had only minor problems and it has over 170,000 miles on it. I cant really think of anything I dont like about it. If it ever gets replaces it will be with another Chevy 1-ton. It will pull anything Ive put behind it and is extremely reliable on the road. Nothing but a Chevy for me!

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  Great Truck - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By jjb - October 30 - 2:00 am

  My S-10 has been a great truck. I have had it now for 8 years and in that time it has only let me down one time. (Dead Battery) When I get in I know it is going to start and take me wher I need to go. The only problem I have had with it is brackets that hold the torsion bar cross-member have broke a couple of times. That dosent leve you stranded but you still have to fix it.

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  lot of power in a small package - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By TRST.NO.1 - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought myself this truck for christmas last year after the trans. went out in my lumina (115,000 miles). I love this thing. the truck is perfect. except for one thing. i wish it had a tad more power from the factory. maybe a high flow exhaust or underdrive pulleys. both of which would also increase gas mileage.

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  Great SUV - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dan22000 - October 30 - 2:00 am

  My father bought me a 1995 LT 4WD blazer, and i love it. Ive put about 8000 miles on it, and i have had no problems. The Vortec V6 is a great engine with so much power, the Delco sound system is also great. Off road it is a beast, but with a big engine the gas mileage is around 16-17 MPG, but other than that im am very happy with the SUV.

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  Iains Review - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By iaind - October 30 - 2:00 am

  Always starts and goes. Needed new brake rotors all round after 40000 miles and a new battery shortly after. Door speakers replaced due woofer blown.No other problems. Very comfortable with leather seats, I cant see the complaint about the rear seats - they feel just fine for me. Driving ondeeply rutted off-road tracks may set up an oscillation of the shocks/rear suspension but generally effective drive ability in 2&4 WD. Corners well enough if required.

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  Very Nice Car - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Havoc55 - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, Im 6 foot 5 inches tall and i fit in this car good. The car drives great and the engine sounds great for a 1995, I havent had to replace many parts, just some lights and new brakes when they went that about it. It is a good reliable car,and it looks really cool and has a good size engine in it.

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  Peppy, gas sipper, too small for a 6 er - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By J_vincen - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a little too small for my 6 foot frame, but the fuel economeny is amazing. I am driving this car as a loaner as my 2000 Dodge Neon is in the shop (again and again). When I got this car the fuel light was on so I put in $3 of gas. (What I would burn in the Neon in 2 days). It filled the car to over 1/4 tank and its still at 1/4 after a full day.

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  Seems to be the best of the bunch - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By SanDiegord - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is the vehicle to have if you have a family. This thing seats everyone very comfortably. It rides like a Cadillac. I wish they would make the 3rd row seat a little more handier to remove and/or fold down, but not at the expense of the comfort of those that ride back there. If you want room and comfort, this is the one to get.