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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  Love This Truck - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By angela - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Even though I have only had my truck for 4 months, I can honestly say that it could possibly be the best vehicle I have ever owned. I went from a 98 GMC Jimmy to a 2003 Trailblazer LT and cant even tell you how much my new truck drives like a luxury car. I can even say that I think the bodystyle looks better on the Chevy than its sister vehicle the GMC Envoy. Simply said, "I love this Truck"!

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  My Grandmother Car - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Vidiot - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, looking forward to trying it this winter in New England. Suits my needs as a grandmother of 2 and 2 more coming. I get many compliments at my place of business.

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  Jims Review - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By JimB - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Overall good car. Pleased with the purchase.

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  Raves - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By macthree - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I like thios vechicle very much. Will buy another if I need to

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  FINALLY a Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By imahappytahoeowner - September 26 - 10:00 am

  After driving a piece of juck Durango for the last 2 1/2 years I finally got a truck that I enjoy driving. I test drove other trucks in its class, (ie Epedition, ect.) but nothing held a candle to the Tahoe, except for an Escalade or an H2, but for huge difference in price I am not disappointed. And on top of it, the dealership treated me like royalty.

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  my tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By arlene b. - September 26 - 10:00 am

  to me its the best vehicle ive even driven. sooooooooooooooooo smooth, ull never know that ur already "flying".

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  2004 Tahoe LT Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By John Uschold - September 26 - 10:00 am

  My 1998 TahoeLT was excellent. My 2004 Tahoe LT is outstanding.

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  Tall Order for Short People - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TahoeMama - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I love my truck. As someone who drives ALL the time (about 3k mi. a month), I can honestly say I have never felt more comfortable (for the most part), safe, sporty, etc. Its hard to imagine an SUV feeling sexy..but this truck delivers! Its still brand spanking new (4 months old), so if it wasnt still reliable, I would be upset. The fuel rating is actually a bit better than I expected. Prior to this truck, I owned another full sized, albeit 6 cyl., SUV...it got around 20 mpg...my Tahoe gets around 18. I have been supremely pleased with this truck.

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  BHH Review - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bhh32 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  My Tahoe is by far the best SUV I have owned. I love the driving comfort and its ability to get up and go. (When needed, of course!) Very comfortable and quiet ride.

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  Be careful - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rerunkitty - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Although this WAS my dream car, and I would like another, buyer be ware. Our engine blew 12 months after purchase. The AC has been replace (front and back, the windsheild wipers went out in a torrential downpour, the starter has been replaced, the 4 wheel drive LOW engaged by itself while I was driving. We have a LEMON. GM should have done the right thing and replaced but they said they were bigger than the law and refused. All items were bulletins - there are many on this car that you may not be aware of.