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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  Chev Sub - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Coleary - January 24 - 3:21 am

  Ive owned 2 Expeditions, a minivan, several sedans, and muscle cars. The Suburban is excellent in drive, comfort and styling. To my surprise it averages 16 city and 21 highway. Only a couple miles lower than my minivan, a Mercury Villager.

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  Only Good Things From This Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Donald Erickson - January 23 - 10:39 pm

  I love my Colorado! It looks good, drives nice, 25 mpg highway with a 3.5 engine, I like the power, comfertable ride, and it is a very solid feeling truck. I dont know of another truck I would rather have at this time. Three adults in the back bench seat without being to crouded. Just like the commercial! Problem free going onto 14,000 miles The only thing I found is that it has problems with icy roads whith wind. 50mph off the road into a farm field with the rear in a drain ditch, no harm done! Any vehicle is going to have problems on ice, so I cant bring the truck down for that. Great truck at a good value, just take it slow on ice.

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  Uncomfortable ride - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dave - January 23 - 3:36 pm

  I purchased my Colorado as a replacement for my S10. As a long time Chevrolet customer I was very disappointed in the ride. My standard cab seat is very uncomfortable to the point I have been trying to trade or get rid of it already. My backs taking a beating. Other than poor ride it seems to handle good and has been dependable. I sought help from the dealer and from Chevrolet without relief. Factory said too bad thats the way its made and there is no defect. Looking for something else

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  Needs to be a full size - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By PSMITHFIVE - January 23 - 3:29 pm

  Chevy did a great thing with making the new Colorado’s to replace the S-10s. I love my Colorado but after a year there is only one thing I regret about buying it. I wish I had got a full sized Silverado. I love the body style of the Colorado and the full size of the Silverado. If Chevy wants to make another smart decision they need to make the 2007 or 2008 Silverado with the same exterior design as the Colorado’s. My next vehicle I buy will be a Silverado. I only hope by time I get it the Silverado does

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  Great gas mileage - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By kshont - January 23 - 2:44 pm

  I sold my 2004 Malibu and got a 2003 one becasue the other one had too many problems. I dont know what people are talking about with gas mileage but when I drove to Florida, I got 32 m.p.g. at 85-90 mph with 4 people and trunk full of stuff. Try using fuel injector cleaner a few times, itll help. Mixed driving I, usually get 25 mpg. Drove 30,000 miles in 8 months and the only problem was the horn went bad. Turned out I needed a new fuse but it still doesnt sound the same. Gets the job done though. Cant complain paid $7200 with 38000 miles when it was still less than 2 years old.

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  Best Chevy I ever had!!! - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By S10s FOREVER!! - January 23 - 12:27 pm

  I bought this S10 new in 91. It sat on the lot almost a year, since it has no AC. It is mint green & white 2 tone (Have only seen 1 other like it). I LOVE this truck. Have only spent about $300 on it other than routine maint. It has 197,000+ miles on it with a 2.8 V6 and 5 spd tranny. Daily driver, still gets hwy mileage around 28 mpg, uses 1 qt of oil between 3,000 mile changes (its been like that since it was new). I would strongly advise if you can find a good older S10, BUY IT!! Im on the lookout for another one.

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  Love this truck but - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Matt - January 23 - 9:10 am

  At first I was in love with the new GMCs but now Im glad I bought the Chevy. I love the looks of mine with the factory 20s, body colored door handles, and the sunroof. Everyone tells me how awesome my truck is.

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  Gas Hog - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Stephen Wilson - January 23 - 3:18 am

  The truck sounds great when it starts up. It has a hard time reaching a good speed without laboring. last time I checked it was getting around 12mpg on highway. When I go up a hill it will slow down quickly and lag behind. The gas pedal is too close to the brake pedal and can be dangerous if not carefull. That was an engineering blunder. The truck looks great, but what good it it to me that way. I wish I had my Toyota Tundra back.

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  Best ride in a truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bestarcher - January 23 - 2:56 am

  I must say I love this truck. It rides like a big American sedan not a truck. But it is all truck and will carry anything. Only problem I had was the front driver’s window got stuck down from ice build up. GM replaced window regulator. Power steering box was replaced, not a common problem.

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  Malibu Delivers on Fuel Economy - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ed - January 22 - 11:55 pm

  Weve had our Malibu for two months now and were very pleased with the fuel economy. We looked at hybrids but decided that wed rather pay less upfront and get better long term durability (who knows how long a hybrid battery will last). Weve gone on a few long trips too and its very comfy. XM satellite radio was the only thing we didnt want, but were finding that its one of the best options too. This car isnt killing our pocket book and were very pleased with its performance. The V6 is much peppier than the V6 Honda we got rid of.