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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  99 Tahoe - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Shorthill - August 3 - 10:44 am

  This has been a great truck. I keep it well maintained. There have been a few little problems with radio and dash lights but all were easily resolved.

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  Good Car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By APJ - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I think that the Cavalier is under appreciated, it is a good, enjoyable to drive and looks good too. i personally think it is a better looking car than the Corolla or Civic.

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  BIGGER IS BETTER - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By COACH - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I WENT FROM EXPLORER TO EXPEDITION TO A YUKON XL THE EXCURSION WAS TO BIG AND A GAS HOG THE TURNING RADIUS IS UNBELIVEABLE AND IM GETTING CLOSE TO THE SAME GAS MILAGE AS THE EXPLORER 5.0 AND TOWS MY 22" BOAT LIKE ITS A JET SKI MY WIFE LOVES DRIVING IT MY GOLF BUDDYS LOVE IT AND I WILL BUY ANOTHER ONE

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  Never buy a black Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Bmore Charlie - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Hard to keep clean. This is a very good handling vehicle with a smooth ride on good and bad roads. It has a few rattles that were repaired. The transmission failed at 24,000 miles and had to be torn down and repaired. The dealer said it was not something that has happened with Tahoes. It was repaired quickly and a loaner car provided. Great leather seats.

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  My TrailBlazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Marge_in_AZ - August 3 - 10:00 am

  After driving a 5-speed manual Chevy Silverado for 11 years, this is a dream car.

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  1 Year Later - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MLJ - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new last July. Great vehicle so far. Great snow and offroad performance. I like the engine and power. Some interior and front end sqeaks. Air bag light problem previously reported has gone away. Getting 15-17 mpg city driving.

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  New EXT Owner - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Joe Alferio - August 3 - 10:00 am

  This is the third SUV weve owned. The first was a Grand Cherokee and then a standard 4-door Blazer. This is by far the nicest family size vehicle weve ever owned. We are amazed at the roominess in the third row seats. You really can seat 7 full size adults in this vehicle, just like Chevy advertises. The performance and handling are superior to every SUV and pickup weve ever owned. The interior is well laid out and well put together. All in all, a joy to own and drive, so far.

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  Good deal - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Tyler - August 2 - 10:10 pm

  My 96 Corsica is my first car as Im only 16 years old. I was looking for a good, reliable car with relatively low miles for a fair price. I bought my Corsica on May 2, 2006 with only 87,000 miles for only $1,950. 3,000 miles later and Ive only had one problem-- The Service Engine Soon light came on and my mechanic found nothing wrong with the car. He reset the computer and it has not since turned on again. Very comfortable car that doesnt break my tight budget for gas. I consistently get about 27-30 MPG. Stock speakers are amazing, especially for being 10 years old! I would recommend this car to any teenager or anyone on a budget or just someone looking for a good, inexpensive commuter!

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  Another Intake Gasket! - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Izodmartin - August 2 - 12:46 pm

  Great car in every way but the engine. I purchased this car off eBay with 85,000 on it. It drove nicely and needed very little upkeep until the intake gasket blew. It went while driving 65 on a long highway miles from anywhere. Lucky I had AAA and my cell phone. $300 worth or parts and 2 weekends later the car is driving again.

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  Bad on brakes, power windows and fans - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dave - August 1 - 8:33 pm

  One thing after another. Front brakes and rotors. Tire sizes hard to find, never on sale like others. Driver side window loose. Blower motor resistor just went. Back of driver seat broke earlier. CD player does not eject fully anymore. Plus, the CDs get extremely hot after a short play time. Not the best on gas either. Just my opinion. Hard to resell.