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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  Great Ride! - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By airdefense - August 6 - 10:50 pm

  Just bought my first Suburban. Love the Z-71 features. The room is great after coming from a Camaro Z-28 Convt.

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  Around the west in a small truck - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jeff - August 6 - 10:47 pm

  Overall a good little truck. Slightly under powered for the demands I put it through (doesnt like climbing the Rockies while fully loaded).

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  If you always wanted one...this is it! - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By James B - August 6 - 8:42 pm

  Ive owned my 2002 "C5" Corvette coupe for many, many years. Each time that Im behind the wheel is the same - great! I have the "base" 350 HP model but it still feels like it gets from zero to sixty in just under five seconds. Always garaged, my cars light pewter color is still very good and it looks great with the dark tint of the side and rear windows. While the Z06/manual is the enthusiasts choice, the base LS1 with 4-speed AT is a superb daily driver that provides a ton of low-rev power. You always have what you need for the daily commuting challenge and its a breeze on the highway. This model is now 15 years old and still gets 28-30 MPG on the highway (Summer time). I dont drive it during the Northern Winter, to avoid snow/ice and risk for frame rust. The interior is basic by todays standards but the leather wheel and seats hold up well, and look for the upgraded Bose entertainment system (which is still good by todays standards). Corvette seats have been the favorite joke of automotive writers but you need to decide for yourself. Ive driven this car for 15 hours at a time with minimal stops, and have never had a sore back from the seats. I cannot say the same for a Porsche and its Recaro seats I owned in the past. The Corvette also bests its German rival with its reliability, especially for the power train and brakes. With its composite body and plastic interior pieces, it does have a few flex creaks (not rattles) with age, and Ive needed to replace the weatherstripping. These are small issues when compared to how the 2002 Corvette cruises through each year with the same agility and power - with only oil changes and tire rotations needed. Overall, a great used super car bargain! If you are in the market, I recommend you search for models which have always been in warmer climates. If you buy from a dealer, its not difficult to negotiate covered shipment for your car, and look for aftermarket parts/service warranties from reputable providers (parts can be pricey). Enjoy!

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  Astro - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By Tom - August 6 - 5:56 pm

  Two fuel pumps in 13 months cost me almost $1400.00 since they need to drop the fuel tank. Replace with Delco parts next time. The van has had transmission problems with the way it shifts on long drives. I am having electical problems with overhead lights flickering on and off while driving. various rattles from the van. It does run strong.

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  Great Car - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Malisha - August 5 - 8:00 pm

  Car was bought with 158,000 by my dad, for my first car! Car got me where ever I needed to go, when ever I needed to go. Never hesitated to start, even in the winter. Heater stinks though. On high, warm air drifted out of the car. I had to let it warm up in the winter for about 30 minutes. Car was extremely rusted, but never failed to get me where I wanted. I now own a 96 Neon, and I was more impressed with my Cavalier. It was faster, and ten times more reliable.

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  Proud Trailblazer Owners - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By millerps125 - August 5 - 7:26 pm

  We bought because we wanted to be able to sit at least 6 without buying a minivan. The Trailblazer fits our budget, and is an overall wonderful fit for our family. The truck still has room for improvements but for the price it is very tough to complain. We have the 6 cyl. and still only manage 13-14 mgp city driving so the gas mileage is a downside. Plenty of room for the kids and still an extra row of seats with cargo room in the rear. With the 3rd row of seats up, the rear cargo area (between the back row and rear door) is larger than most other SUVs. We checked many others and this offered the most room.

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  3 Years and Running Great - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jay - August 5 - 12:51 am

  Over the past 3 years, very little complaints from me. Comfortable seating for all with lots of room. Not one single problem with the engine. It turns on a dime and the pick up it a bit sluggish but good enough. Not bad on gas getting 21mph on the highway and 16-18mph in town.

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  Best investment I have ever made - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Molly - August 5 - 12:37 am

  Its easy to handle. Easy to get in and out of places. Very dependable. Very easy to get in and out of.

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  Sad to have - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By james caldwell - August 4 - 10:18 pm

  The little van has a choppy ride. It is top heavy and handles poorly. Its hard to drive.You cant take your eyes off the road. It is front heavy. Older children will be uncomfortable in back seating. I took the third row seats and put them in the garage.

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  SSR with Chrome package and wood trim - 2006 Chevrolet SSR
  By lucky - August 4 - 10:07 am

  One week after I bought it, I took my teenage daughter and headed up to Georgia and South Carolina . The luggage space was excellent and as my daughter put it there was extra space to put the stuff we buy . That was both good and bad if you get my drift.