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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  My AWD Van - 2003 Chevrolet Express
  By Crystal - April 26 - 3:01 pm

  I love my van. I can throw so much stuff in it and drive it anywhere in the snow. I live on an 800ft gravel drive that is plowed by our farm tractor and the Van has never let me sit. We pack in six kids, two dogs, and two adults and go anywhere. The only problem is the price of gas.

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  Awesome for the price - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By M Henry - April 26 - 11:29 am

  I like this little car. Ive got rabbits, and if I go on trips with them the carriers fit well in the back seat without giving up too much front legroom. My wife is a bit heavy, and I can feel the handling difference when shes in the car, but its not bad at all. Me and a buddy of mine run time trials through a little curvy section of road and it feels pretty tight at 45 and you never feel like youre going to roll. I could complain about the mileage, but I figure its less to fill up than my co-workers that drive big trucks everyday so its not bad. I drive a little rough on it but still get a decent 27-28 mpg.

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  Not the best truck - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Dennis - April 26 - 8:02 am

  We bought it with 65,000 miles on it. It was never used for towing or off road. We have had to replace the transmission, fuel pump/sending unit, alternator. Still have to replace A/C lines to rear A/C. They rusted. Imagine that...they are run along the inside of the frame. the blinker switch is bad, there is a sensor in the steering column that senses the speed of your turning and boosts the power steering as needed. It boosts on its own once in a while. Scary when you are driving through a curve. The 4 wheel drive service light comes on now and we already had some sensors replaced a few months ago. I cannot figure out why the transmission would fail before 100,000 miles.

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  Jacks Trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Blazen Jack - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I have owned (3)regular style blazer and have found my new trailblazer an exceptional vehicle. Ride, Style, and features. My hats of to Dean Patterson Chevrolet for being, what I believe is one of the best, if not the best dealership I have delath with in my 62 years. Kudos to GM for the new trailblazer

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  SS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By SED - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Truck handles well for its size. Overall I am very satisfied with the vehicle. The truck wont perform with the lighting, but you cant haul the whole family in the lightning.

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  2004 Z71 5.3 Ext Cab S/B - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Paratoad - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I love this truck.!! It drives nice the seats are excellent and the ride noise is minimal.. Leather (AN3) Full Feature Seats Heated Buckets are a must when ordering. The Steering wheel mounted controls allows you to control everything except the traffic outside at which time you can just turn up the 6 disc Indash BOSE stereo... Very Nice.. Ordered with 17 in off road tires and wheels and they really improve the looks of the exterior.

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  Like a rock - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By mouse - April 25 - 1:44 pm

  The Ventura van is a comfortable riding van. I have owned one of the past 3 years and have enjoyed it. Changes to the interior such as reinforced brackets on driver seat controls(electeric front seat) made of plastic, use metal, mine has broken twice. The lever on the driver side seat has stripped and the glove box handle should be made of metal. Blinker bulbs are very hard to change. Standard radio in all vans should be CD player. Next model make the arm rest wider and about 2in higher. Swivel head rest and deeper cushion in seats. Round swivel air vents would be prefered to square flat. Swivel lights in top of van for map reading. Child car seats in all back seats or option upon buying.

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  2002 2-DR Blazer - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By KH1693 - April 25 - 1:28 pm

  Would not recommend this vehicle for purchase. It looks pretty good, inside and out, has plenty of room, but definitely not a safe vehicle. Also, several little electrical quirks, like radio stations changing on their own and guages sometimes erratic. Doesnt hold value. Overall, not a good purchase.

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  This SUV Stinks! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RB14 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  4 Transmission Problems, starting at 12000 miles, transmission re-built at 43000 miles. Also other annoying problems, 3 recalls, expensive to maintain and rides rough even when brand new. Cant use lemon law because problems were all VERY SLIGHTLY different. My next car will be a Honda.

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  Like A Rock - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By EMRDUX - April 25 - 10:00 am

  This is my 5th Chevy truck and my favorite so far. I havent had any problems and when towing boats or campers you forget theyre back there. I havent towed anything yet that required the OD to be disengaged. Shifting is smooth and transparent.