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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  S10 4 X 4 EXT CAB - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ray - January 31 - 1:21 pm

  As with other owners of this year S10, Ive replaced all the universals, three ball joints, driver side front wheel bearing,all during the eighty thousand mile timeperiod. My ABS brake system failed and will cost over five hundred dollars in parts to fix. I just avoided two major slow speed accidents when the ABS refused to allow me to stop. And, theres been lots of little things that I didnt expect to have to replace and/or repair on a truck this new. Plastic door latches, fuel sender unit and pump, complete replacment of all rear brake parts, etc. My service engine light continues to come on, even though it has been serviced several times. Quality is not job one at GM anymore

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  My Express - 2003 Chevrolet Express
  By Lori - January 31 - 8:30 am

  I love my van. I use it for transporting dogs to and from competitve events and vet visits. Its a perfect size for my purpose and its very easy to take seats in and out for whatever I need it. Its been very reliable. The only thing Ive had repaired on it was a water pump gasket.

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  Bubbas Work Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bubba - January 31 - 3:00 am

  I have been more than pleased with my truck. I have gotten an average of 19 mpg since the truck was purchased and for the way I drive that is great! Even while pulling a load, it has not seemed to effect the milage in any big way. Only thing that has ever erked me was the top speed limit. Plenty of power and performance but a limit of 104. Then again, that may be a good thing.

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  Love it - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By loonytoony - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I have had no problems at all. I guess regular check ups help. Even get free oil changes since I bring it in regular.

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  All Good - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By z-man - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck for towing power and interior space for the family. In both respects it has met the need superbly. I have not had any mechanical problems for 15000+ miles now. It starts in below zero weather regularly with no problem. Its really comfortable on the road. My 3 year old daughter prefers it to our new Grand Caravan. The 6.0 Litre engine tows my boat like its not even there.

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  versatile - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By AVALANCHE USER - January 31 - 2:00 am

  nice vehicle to drive and as a towing vehicle it is versatile. Will haul and tow anything. Works will as a people mover to.

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  Wavy Z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By z06mike - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Car is smooth, quick and comfortable. Build quality is poor and not consistent. Inspect your car very well before taking delivery. Some cars fit together better than others, paint quality varies by color and production day. Panel fit can be poor. Body panel smoothness varies car to car. Buy from a place with many Zs to pick from and compare against each other. C6 promising to have better fit and finish. I will not be hard to improve.

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  Needs Fine Tuning - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Lionel - January 30 - 10:27 pm

  This would be a great truck if it was fine tuned. It needs better interior and gas mileage. The high back rear seats block your rear vision. People say the V6S are better, but my 5 will out run the Tacoma V6

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  Good so far - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Dbinie - January 30 - 9:25 pm

  Have had good luck with this vehicle. Gas mileage has been less than expected. I average about 15 MPG town or highway. Hood cable and passenger reclining handle broke but from reading the reviews I am not the only one with these problems. A little rough on the off road travel but it gets the job done. I think that it is a great vehicle for the price.

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  Best of the Best - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By bizmgr - January 30 - 4:42 pm

  I am 62 years young and this is the 17th vette that I have owned, and is the best yet. You can spend a whole lot more for a sports car, but dollar for dollar, the Vette is by for the best value for true performance, looks and fun to drive car. I never get tired of driving it and not to mention that it makes me feel a lot younger than I am. I guess that is why I am on my 17th one. I refuse to grow up and act like some of my old friends. If you have never owned one, you owe it to yourself to enjoy life a little more.