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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  my chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By boatwhiz - September 20 - 2:00 am

  just a great car

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  Fun to drive - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By sherman9 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I would say overall the avalanche is an exciting and fun vechile to drive and hadles great in all coditions, especially wet and rough conditions hadles great.

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  Not bad but not so good either - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By larrymac - September 20 - 2:00 am

  TrailBlazer has solid feel, good power, comfortable. Gas mileage not what I had hoped. Started at 13mpg in town. I can now coax 16mpg on average in town. Highway mileage averages 19mpg. The TrailBlazer trouble free up until I took an 1100 mile trip. It developed a high pitch squeal, turned out to be seals in the transfer case. Then I developed a bad oil leak. This all happened with just 28K on vehicle. My old 4Runner never had these kinds of problems until I had well over 200K. For the cost, $30K+ this vehicle should be trouble free, at least up to 100K. Maybe this is just typical of a first year design model and Im just shaking out the bugs.

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  Impressed - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By JMartinB - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Impressed by this car. It doesnt have the purchase price tag of my old MB 400E, but its got a lot more size and safety features than my Audi A4. Car is subtle and understated - perfect for "Q Ship" mode. Everyone comments on how sharp the cars looks are. Because Im not as "into" the 94- 96 era car, I may be more appreciative of this automobile as a whole - not worried about FWD RWD

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  Great ride - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By H.S. 617 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I think the Chevy 4x4 Silverado 4dr. Z71 is great purchase for those individuals who plan on driving the vehicle how it was intended to be driven. The truck has an excellent ride and drive, and still maintains decent off road capabilities. The towing capabilities are plenty for most of the consumers in the market for this truck. The interior is comfortable and easy to keep clean. I have done some off roading and am satisfied with the truck performance. There are cheap and easy after market add ons to increase horsepower.

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  Money Pit - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By yesman12 - September 20 - 1:49 am

  Bought this 2005 EXT model with the I6 motor as a new car. Nothing but problems since then - instrument panel replaced 3xs, wheel bearing hub replacement and new water pump all before 80K miles. Vehicle now has 93K miles and had to have it hauled back home from vacation because of a mis-firing problem in the 5th cylinder. the cyclinder has no compression which will likely require a head replacement (not a cheap or fun endevour). If you are thinking of buying this vehicle - Dont - its a total piece of junk. Im a die hard Chevy guy, but I think this is my last.

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  Excellent truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Andria - September 19 - 10:50 pm

  I have the duramax Diesel. I love this truck. I haul a 3 horse gooseneck and never know its there. Handles great in the snow, gas mileage not bad for a big truck. No problems at all with it. I have had this truck going on 6 months have put 8,500 miles on it and it drives like it did the first day i bought it. I love this truck..

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  Cavalier - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Wilson - September 19 - 9:31 pm

  I love the fuel economy, but I hate the leaky trunk, and cracked heads which I checked, it is a common problem with these cars. Overall I have had it for about 2 and a half years, and it wasnt until recently that I have had any probems with it. It broke down 3 times in the course of a week which I didnt appreciate. Overall, I like the car, Im planning on buying a newer model possibly a 97 or 98 with the new body style.

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  Montahoe - 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Randy Schardein - September 19 - 7:17 am

  This vehivle is a truck based SUV. It is heavier and beefier than crossover unibody AWD type SUV. It is excellant for towing, and is a true 4 wheel drive with a locking transfer case. Would work well in a rural setting as well as being comfortable and maneuverable in the city. The gas mileage is what you would expect from truck.

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  2001 Monte Carlo - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Kenneth Snyder - September 18 - 10:00 am

  In the 18 months that I owned this car, Other than replacing the seat material on the driver seat{It pulled away from exposing the side airbag} The only work done to the car was routine matinance