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:

• 

  Great truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Steve - September 21 - 4:16 am

  This is a great truck. I had an 2004 F-150 previously and have always been a "Ford" guy. The Chevy rides better, has more power, and gets better gas mileage. I have averaged 17.2 mpg (the computer keeps track for you). If you go down the road at 65 mph you will get 22 mpg with this rig. The only issue I have had with it is the check engine light will come on if the temperature gets down to -15 or worse and there isnt enough fuel in the tank. Problem is solved by filling the tank. The dealer is also willing to fix it but I havent got around to taking it there since it isnt really a big deal.

• 

  Best one out of 5 - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By hardcore - September 21 - 3:58 am

  Have owned 4 other Burbs, this one is awesome. 4000 miles in first month. Should of bought it sooner. Excellent brakes, unlike prior models. 6.0 is a pleasant surprise. Doesnt ride like a 3/4 ton but tows like a 1 ton. Love the dash & A/C vent layout. Push button 4x4, way cool & AutoTrac already kept me on track once. Towing an ElDorado on a car trailer in terrain ranging from 1500 to 6000 I avg 10.5 mpg. With the 5 of us and luggage,(nothing towed) I saw 14.5 mpg on flat land. These are real numbers & I didnt spend time in the right lane. Besides, if you dont realize bigger is safer, and cant handle the gas bill, this isnt for you.

• 

  H.D Diesel - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By ed t - September 21 - 12:33 am

  I have only had this truck for a week and I already love it. After filling up the first time I averaged 17.5 mpg. Thats better than my 5.3 Chevy not to mention the addition of a 4x4. It rides firm but not harsh. The only thing that would make a nice change is a nicer interior similar to dodge. The allison 6 speed electronic transmission... whew, when coming down steep grades the tranny holds speed to give the most secure feel . Going uphill the engine has enough torque to hold max gear and not shift down. So far so good.....

• 

  Nice little economy car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ron - September 20 - 7:35 pm

  Great car. Have 22,000 km on and have done 4 oil changes. That is all I have spent on this car. Would recomend it to anyone

• 

  Tahoe owner - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Reddhead - September 20 - 5:54 pm

  I purchased my Tahoe in June of this year and I am really satisfied. I only have 2 regrets and that is that I did not go up to the LT and that I dont better gas mileage especially with the price of gas, but other than that I have gotten several compliments on my new truck. I purchased the Bermuda blue metallic and it truly does turn heads with/without having rims which I am considering.

• 

  Plesantly Surprised - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jay Mack - September 20 - 1:32 pm

  I drove 3 Hondas and 2 Camrys with 100K- 120K miles. They all showed every mile and were priced from $6K - $8.6K. Bah! Way overrated. This Malibu with 105K mi. for $3,200 with house warrenty. He fixed brakes and a spring. Drives like a new car! Much tighter than any of the imports I tried. This is the best car deal Ive gotten. It gets an honest 26 mpg. Sound system is factory upgrade and very acceptable. Nice, functional interior. I like the 4 cyl. twincam just fine. More power than the competition. No flaws yet. Great car. Im pleased and getting another.

• 

  Stick with a foreign car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By therealcatman - September 20 - 4:10 am

  I bought the Cobalt expecting to get a good economy car at a good price. I got a nice looking fun to drive car that eats gas and doesnt always work right. I have had numerous problems, all fixed, not enough for lemon status yet. The car is nice to look at and has nice features. But 19 MPG in the city and 29 on the highway says something is wrong. I could understand if it was being hotrodded around town but my wife drives it like a granny. Called GMs Customer Dis-service people and they blame the dealership, who in turn blame Chevy. My suggestion, stick with a foreign car with a good track record.

• 

  2005 Trail Blazer - 2005 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tom Crawford - September 20 - 2:17 am

  This vehicle is fun to drive. After having a Tahoe for almost a year I find the Trailblazer has more power and is just as comfortable as the Tahoe. It puts fun back into driving

• 

  Surprised, and impressed! - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By rvhssg - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I have searched long and hard for the right vehicle, finnaly I found it! This car is awesome, especially since i am a big man, I wanted a vehicle big enough to sit in and not have my knees in my chest. Bingo! The monte carlo does just that. I have all the room i need, and the car performs very well. I am impressed. I hope that others will be able to enjoy theirs as much. It has also been awesome with gas mileage and with mechanical performance. Just routine maintenance and this baby will roll for a long time to come.

• 

  I love my new car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By pnuckleus22 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I just got my car as a christmas present and i absolutely love it! I am 22 years old and it is the perfect car for me. The car is ideal for school and work travel.