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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  Performance deal of a lifetime - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By bosstoolman - January 19 - 10:16 pm

  I used to be a hot rodder back in the late 60s early 70s and thought those days would never return. How wrong I was. The American push-rod V8 is back big time only better. Thats an understatement. This car has everything a preformance minded regular guy could hope for. The power & torque is incredible. The sound is old school. The handling is definitely state of the art. Driving this car is something I look forward to every day. I was suprised at the comfort level sitting in this car. I got the Z51 handling option & highly reccomend it. This car is glued to the road. It is the best Corvette yet. The ride is suprisingly comfortable for this type of vehicle. I cant wait for spring!!

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  Uplander - a design defect - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Shelby Anderson - January 19 - 7:43 pm

  This car has many serious design defects. The cup holder in the dashboard comes off track easily (with or without a drink in it). The sliding door motors run after the doors are closed. The sliding doors have had times when they do not open at all. This vehicle has serious wind noise (in particular around the windshield). On particularly windy days, the noise can be very loud and distracting. The interior has issues. The compartments on the back of the seats do not close easily. The latches to adjust the seatbacks do not work properly. This car drives very good but with all the other issues this car has big disappointment!!

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  Excellent! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By EDWARDS - January 19 - 5:29 pm

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. Great comfortable ride, great towing performance, good fuel economy. I use this truck for towing a 28 foot trailer. Only time I needed service (besides regular service) was for the minor recalls by company. I am looking forward on getting the tent accessory for the back for camping. Rides better than my 2005 GM midsize. OnStar very good.

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  my baby - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By chevyfrank1 - January 19 - 10:58 am

  i recently just purchased a 2000 chevy silverado 1500 4x4. the truck has over 270,000 miles and is still running strong. i bought this vehicle as my first vehicle and i would trade it for anything. i pull a 22 foot trailer with it almost everyday for work and it doesnt even hesitate. i only paid 1800 for the truck and all ive done to it was a wheel bearing and a alternator. i plan on buying a lift very soon and rebuilding the motor to put a cam in it.

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  The Everything Vehicle - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By zug zug - January 19 - 12:26 am

  We bought it because extended family takes long road trips together and we were in the middle of a home remodel. It held 8 people, a dog and a weeks worth of stuff comfortably from Central CA to Arizona all with one tank of gas. Removing the rear seat and folding down the second row gave us space to haul everything we needed during the remodel, including protecting 8 sections of wood moulding in the rain. There is no substitute for this SUV in this price range.

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  Cant Beat A Tahoe - 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Taylor - January 18 - 11:11 pm

  The Tahoe looks awesome because it is awesome. I got my Tahoe after doing lots of research and deciding it could not be beat. I got it fully loaded except 4WD which I hope I will not regret. It has performance like no other but the drawback is the gas mileage. I was only getting 15 miles to the gallon but now I am getting 17 with the K&N Airfilter. The Bose speakers are the best.

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  Decent Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Truck Lady - January 18 - 11:10 pm

  I like this truck. It handles well, mechanically has only had one problem and that is the tempermental a/c and heat control. I had it replaced when the truck was 3 months old. It went out again shortly after but we had already put 360,000 on it so we couldnt get it replaced. So most of the time it works, but not always. Seat backs are uncomfortable on long drives. Instead of being flat they wrap around and our backs get wedged in and ache after a while. I have to take a pillow for traveling.

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  A nice package indeed - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By cyrral - January 18 - 5:09 pm

  I managed to get a Key Lime green version, which they dont normally offer. It sure is an attention getter. Ive been averaging 33-35mpg. Has a nice ride on the freeway, and no problem doing 80 when you need it. Great interior with plenty of leg room. CD plays mp3s, so you can have a great selection of songs on a few CDs.

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  Incredibly Average - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By MyothercarisanF-18 - January 18 - 12:28 pm

  Cars like the Blazer make me consider buying an import. Design is mundane, and at times poorly thought out- i.e. spare tire on 2DR either obstructs rear visibility or eats up too much cargo room. The car has required quite a bit of repair work for light duty use and consistent preventative maintenance. Brakes have twice required major work Ive replaced a couple of bearings, and installed new door hinges to keep it from leaking. There are numerous other "minor" problems, such as a defective fuel guage that Ive just decided to live because of their cost to repair. Bottom line: the Blazer is a reasonably priced SUV, but low expectations are the key to avoiding dissapointment.

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  Just a lemon on wheels - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Phlex - January 18 - 10:00 am

  My Blazer has been in the shop more times than I care to count. Ive had the catalytic converter replaced, the transfer case for the transmission replaced, oil leaks sealed, passenger seat handle replaced, driver side lumber replaced, third brake light replaced, roof rack and rear window molding re-painted, tire rack repainted, inside paneling reseated which still rattles with every bump. It also was leaning to one side in the front. My Blazer is at the dealer now because my driver side window does not work, and there is a loud thump that comes from the right wheel well. It barely as 17,000 miles on it. Not at all worth the headaches.