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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  Fuel Efficient - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By KaiserM715 - January 4 - 4:10 pm

  This car was purchased used with about 24k miles and currently has about 96k. This has been a very fuel efficient car , better than many smaller cars. Has been pretty reliable (have replaced alternator at about 36k, replaced water pump at 75k and had intake manifold gasket replaced under warranty at about 73k).The only other items replaced have been normal wear items (brakes, hoses, belts, etc).

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  Pure Adrenaline - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Z06Stinger - January 4 - 2:41 am

  The Z06 is a GREAT performance vehicle. It has great power, handling is amazing and the ride is very steady. If Chevy put this much effort into every vehicle they make, maybe they could take some of Toyota and Hondas market share. The only complaint with the drive is the brakes squeal incessantly due to excessive brake dust. The interior of the vehicle is cheaply done, although the HUD is a great touch and helps to keep your eyes on the road. One cup holder doesnt make the ladies happy and the road noise is so loud that it is impossible to do anything but drive the car. The temperature control is tempermental and I am not sure that the passenger side knob is even connected!

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  A Nice Choice - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jerome Miranda - January 3 - 7:37 pm

  This vehicle rides smoothly and quietly. I cannot see paying thousands more for the additional supposed reliability, etc. of either the Toyota or Honda comparable product, although both are also excellent vehicles. My only complaint is with the gas mileage, 25 mpg tops for "highway". Excellent drive in snow and rain. Flexible seating allows for multiple use under varying conditions. No water leaks, no nuisance issues, no performance issues.

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Mike C - January 3 - 7:13 pm

  A near perfect car with outstanding handling, good fuel ecomomy (30+), and very comfortable. I am very satisfied with my Z24. Your web site is incorrect when it states that all of these have 5-speed manual transmissions. Mine has a four-speed automatic transmission with traction control. That is not available with the 5-speed manual and does make a substantial difference in value. I am a professional used car and truck buyer that attends auto auctions weekly. I am very familiar with the actual wholesale and retail values. Your site is does not contain realistic values for many of the vehicles I researched on it.

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  Trailblazing - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MICK RANGER - January 3 - 7:05 pm

  Very comfortable ride, plenty of power, and sufficient amount of room for 5 people and more than enough space in the back for any type of luggage or materials that you need to take with you.

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  Avalanche is the Best - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By pete1 - January 3 - 7:00 pm

  I looked around for months before I finally decided on a Avalanche. I finally purchased a loaded 4X4 without the body molding, as I believe that it looks much better & cleaner. It is equipped with all of the "bells & whistles" with the exception of leather seats which honestly I dont miss. I had them in a 91 Camaro and they were very hot in the summer. This truck is very versatile, quiet and handles great. Mileage isnt wonderful, however considering the weight of the truck and the engine size, it is not going to get the mileage which comes with a small, 4 cylinder sedan. I love all of the various compartments for storage, along with the ability to lock the rear gate.

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  2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LT - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Maria - January 3 - 1:55 pm

  This Tahoe is fun to drive. It is sporty with lots of pick up and go yet it still hauls loads well. The interior is extremely comfortable. GM improved the design from the former 1999 Tahoe I had in the past. They put more consideration in for the passengers comfort as well as the driver. It handles very well with extremely good handling on corners and through snow and slushy conditions. Although the gas mileage isnt the greatest (15.9 in the city and 20+ highway)I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  I Love my SUV - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By M.H. - January 3 - 12:47 pm

  Just bought this with all the "bells and whistles" last month. No problems yet. I love it. Very comfortable, great power, and roomy. Exactly what we were looking for. I wanted a minivan and hubby wanted a pick up so this was the perfect compromise.

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  2005 Chevy SS - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By wileyss - January 3 - 6:08 am

  At 111,000 miles, best vehicle i have ever owned. Sharp, snappy, and handles like a deram. No major issues other than my heater module has gone out twice. Bought this truck new from an older salesman. His piece of advice was to never sell this truck, and i wont. I live near Lake Tahoe and take this truck skiing often without worry. Have never been stuck. Pulls my enclosed trailer to Sturgis and is my daily commuter.

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  Its a Chevy - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Chevy for my Baby - January 3 - 5:55 am

  I bought this car used for my wife when it had 60,000 miles on it, now has about 85K. Its been a decent car, a good road car. Had to replace spark plugs at 62K, catalytic converter at 65K (under warranty). Problems include intermittently working turn signals, squeaky suspension, motor on drivers power window switch about to go out. Steering feels too light, car doesnt feel very substantial for its size. My biggest gripe is that the car cant make it up a moderate grade without downshifting, which gets tiring on long trips. My 4 cylinder 89 Acura makes it up without so much as a hesitation.