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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  Nice Ride - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By John - November 11 - 11:41 pm

  Americas true sports car. This car is a dream to drive, and makes one look for any excuse to get out of the house just to cruise. One plus about owning my spiral gray vette is how people youve never met take the time to stop and say "nice ride", and the turning of heads as you cruise down the road truly a rush and morale builder. I normally trade cars every 1-2 years, but finally Ive found a car worth keeping.

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  Good 1st car out of college - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ddemania - November 11 - 7:08 pm

  Bought this car (Z24 Coupe) right out of college, and am now after 9-yrs moving on to bigger (mini-van) days. The car served me will through 9-yrs, some maintenance problems, especially in the last year which has pushed me to sell.

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  Totally inferior product - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By dan-o - November 11 - 6:33 pm

  Ive never owned a GM product, and based on this purchase, I never will again. At 45K miles, the dash panels are coming apart, rattling, & squeaking. Annoying squeaking has developed in the front suspension, and a disconcerting grinding noise is coming from the engine compartment at startup. I found a gap between the interior roof liner and the door edge that I can fit my finger through. What a disappointing example of American auto manufacturing. Im going to sell it, get a Honda, and not feel one bit of sorrow for GMs current troubles.

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  First Impressions - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By ken G - November 11 - 5:43 pm

  Having driven a Nissan Pu 4X4 for 11 years,lets say I was a little hesitant about buying domestic. At this time I am very impressed with the ride and driveability of this truck. Very comfortable, plenty of zip from the 4.3 V6, nicely equipped. It has the optional limited slip rear axle. Easy access with all four doors. No problems to date. Fuel mileage is as expected with a 4X4 not great, but you dont purchase a vehicle of this type for fuel economy, nor will you carry 4X8 sheets of lumber in the bed, a trade off for having the crew cab. Dependability is still to be determined.

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  Trailblazer LT 4WD EXT 5.3 L V8 - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Charles - November 11 - 4:46 pm

  This vehicle is mainly excellent! Never taken to the dealer for any warranty work...in fact have never taken to the dealer.(all service work done at other shops...all service work done) V8 is the best choice...glad I "forced" the dealer to find me a V8. I drive many highway miles, very comfortable and overall fuel mileage in 20 MPG. Waiting till they come out with a Hybrid!

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  Always liked em, now I love em - 1994 Chevrolet Impala
  By modillard - November 11 - 1:36 am

  Ive always liked this car, when the General first introduced it to media as a car they "might" make, I thought it was hot. Now that I finally own 1, WOW!! I knew it would be fast, but for a car this big to handle so well was a very amazing surprise. I love driving it. Also,driven "sensibly" the gas mileage isnt that bad. I love the body style except for the rounded back end. I think the enterior is cool too I havent had it long enough to see any recurring problem but a Chevy 350 is a easy motor to maintain, even though its difficult to change the plugs and wires on the passanger side. whenever I walk up to this long,low,mean-looking black car, I kick myself for not buying one 10 years ago

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  Not sure what to think - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By str8stack71 - November 11 - 12:06 am

  This van is very family friendly. Roomy interior, good gas mileage, lots of storage spaces. However, this is my first Chevy I have owned. In four years the engine continually loses coolant, the fan motor and switch on heat/ac controls has broken. The glovebox hinge has broken. Instead of having the typical plastic hinges, this van has one solid piece of plastic that runs the length of the bottom of the glovebox and after opening the glove box from time to time the plastic hinge has broken. It reminds me of taking a credit card and bending it in half until it breaks.

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  98 Chevy Tracker auto 4x4 - 1998 Chevrolet Tracker
  By GUS ALLEN - November 10 - 9:44 pm

  This is the best little car for running errands , fishing, hunting. All around vehicle for just driving. 33 mpg and 4x4 is almost unheard of. Easy to service and granddaughter loves it.

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  What a Joy - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mrgn4shw - November 10 - 3:15 pm

  Traded my old 98 Tahoe for 2005. Even with the price of fuel, still glad I did it. I feel safer and the comfort of the ride is great. Holds dogs, grandkids and pulls a horse or boat trailer. Put the seats down or take them out and have tons of room for luggage and a place for another person to rest while doing cross country trip. I am getting 16 mi per gallon on the highway and 14-15 around town. I love my Tahoe

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  "Generally Favorable-But" - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ED Reinhardt - November 10 - 1:52 pm

  Generally favorable, confortable,good mileage,particularly HWY, good electronics, espec.ave/miles/gal.etc. However,several minor recalls, 2 tail- light assemblies, one fan motor, + major expense on a "fuel sender-unit" all at 45m-55m miles, make this a frustrating vehicle compared to my two Four-Runners. Might consider another Trailblazer only because of the phychological counseling provided by my dealer!