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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  Z 71 Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Sean - March 6 - 9:54 am

  The Chevy Tahoe has an exceptional ride for a full size 4WD SUV. Rear captains chairs are very comfortable for adult passengers. Third row split seat is very covenient to install and or remove.

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  Great car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Leo - March 6 - 12:53 am

  I bought the LT2 Impala used, with 7000 miles, and have driven 1500 miles so far. The car rides great, gets 30 mpg in combination city/highway, (about 75% highway)which is better than the 02 Nissan Altima 4 cylinder I traded in, can use E85 ethanol, and is a much more comfortable car. Looked at Accord and Camry, but the Impala is a lot more car for the money. I have friends with Hondas and Toyotas, and they are not as trouble free as some would have you think. If you drive as much as I do, and want a solid, cofortable car, with great safety ratings, check out the Impala LT

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  Nice, powerful and reliable ride. - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By SMac - March 5 - 10:41 pm

  Even though I dont have anything or anyone to haul around, I love having the room if I need it. Actually, I did once deliver a new stove and it fit in the back with the seat folded down. Not great gas mileage - but Im glad I have the power to get on the highway with no problems.

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  Pretty Good Vehicle - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By VinceInCali - March 5 - 9:39 pm

  The only problems I have had with mine is the front brakes and the catalytic converter. It seems to run great otherwise

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  Piece of Junk - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RP - March 5 - 9:38 pm

  This vehicle has been the worst, by far, of the eight cars Ive owned to date. 1st ball joint/hub kit at 43000 miles, the other at 63000, two sets of brakes, gas gauge breaks and needs to be replaced, driver seat tilt breaks off with normal use, cheap plastic emergency break handle breaks off stranding the vehicle in a snow storm as the breaks will not release, hood cable require replacing at 69000 at which time it was noted that the "engine oil cooler lines are leaking," and now as of 3/5/06 the Security light is on and the vehicle does not start on command with out a 10 minute wait due to electronic and fuel issues and the seats have terrible ergonomic design with zero lumbar support

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  I love it - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By sjhooper - March 5 - 8:29 pm

  I drove an 06 Impala, Accord, Ford 500, Camray, and Altima. When I found this 04 LS with 19000 miles on it sitting in the front row with a $14,900 sticker on it - I fell in love. It has leather, a moonroof and all of the options. Any of the new ones with the same equipment would have run me at leat $12,000 more. I love the car, the ride, the way it looks, the gas mileage and the smell of all of that money in my pocket. If you see an 04 or 05 LS sitting in a lot - take a look and then take a drive. Youll be glad that you did!!! HEY - I LOVE depreciation! If I drive this car for three years I will only lose about $3000 in depreatiation - thank you to person that drove it first!

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  Great Car, Greater Value - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jim - March 5 - 6:24 pm

  Great little car, gas mileage is great and it looks sharp. Many compact cars may get higher ratings, and may score higher when compared but considering that the car only cost me $10,600 with the MP3 stereo as compared to many compacts costing twice that price its an awesome little car. I dont feel that you can acurately compare a $20,000 car to a $10,000 car so as for Consumer Reports they should compare apples to apples. I can say this I have 8800 miles on mine, it has had no repairs, gets great mileage and I would buy it over again given the need or chance.

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  Lot of Luxury...Not a lot of Price. - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Steve - March 5 - 12:12 pm

  My wife insisted on getting an SUV in spite of her having a reliable 2dr car that was paid for. I shopped around for awhile and saw that the Trailblazers came at a good price. We bought used with low miles. I couldnt be happier with the car. Its got so many bells and whistles (we have the LTZ) it makes it fun to drive. Gas mileage is not the best but, its an SUV what can you do.

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  I love my car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By john - March 5 - 8:36 am

  I love the way this car handles and the ability to just move out with the slightest touch of the gas. It is very fun to drive and it is very nice to look at. I look forward to going to work every morning just so I can drive my car.

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  Equinov Great - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jean taylor - March 4 - 10:23 pm

  This is my first SUV. Handles well on long drives, very comfortable. The only negative would be mileage - even on highway I was only averaging 22 mpg. Have recommended it to others.