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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  Comfortable ride with good power - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By BrewTownDan - February 1 - 1:16 pm

  One of the most comfortable riding SUVs Ive ridden/driven. Handles very well, but the 4WD is lacking if youre really in the thick of things. Definitely opt for the locking rear differential if youre going to test its limits. The interior is a bit drab could definitely use some sprucing up. However, the large controls are very user-friendly. The numerous rear storage compartments are useful. Actual workmanship of the vehicle is ok, but after only 4 years of ownership, door moldings are working their way loose and rust is developing from the inside-out along the bottoms of the doors. Taillight lenses and license plate lights also let in far too much moisture.

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  Great For Students! - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By foxxy - January 31 - 3:29 pm

  I bought my 97 Cavalier sedan from a good friend of mine. It had a little body damage when I bought it but nothing major. They had put a new O2 sensor on it but other than that had no major issues with it. So far the only thing Ive had to do to it was put a new water pump on today. Im a college student and I highly reccomend them to anyone looking for an inexpensice way to get around. Despite below freezing temps, mine has started up almost the first time every time. Its really a great car as long as theyre well taken care of. They may not be the fanciest or the fastest car out there, but theyre dependable and great fuel mileage. They really have a lot of potential. I love mine to death!

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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