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:

• 

  Maxx - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By DeSanto - August 27 - 12:40 pm

  This vehicle rides well and has plenty of leg room in the front as well as the rear. Handles well and I feel the ride is very good. The heated seats are a plus on cold days. The automatic start should be standard on all cars, as it is extremily convenient. The only thing is the hatchback closing. You have to excert force to make sure it is latched. The computerize display is really good, but the back lighting could be improved, not very bright. All in all I consider it one of the better cars I have owned.

• 

  The best car going - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Very Happy - August 27 - 1:53 am

  I have owned two Montes, still driving my 1980 around. This 1999 is great I have done Trips to PG and down to Oregon from Vancouver sometimes driving a straight 12 hours never a problem Great engine great P/u and go, Very dependable. I have over 220,000 and still running strong very little maintenance, way to go Chevy!

• 

  Life in the Rod lane - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Willy D - August 27 - 12:08 am

  We have had many performance vehicles, and none received the attention like the SSR. I first saw them at the 50th birthday party for Corvette in Nashville. As my high school vehicle was a 51 chev. pickup, I was impressed with the design. Now that we have a SSR we are not disappointed. I describe it as a Corvette that you can use everyday. With the cockpit feel of the Corvette, chopped top and wide body its got the Look. The LS2 is a sweet engine. The power and handling is amazing for such a heavy vehicle.(its about 1400lbs more than the C5)Cost seems to be the main concern, but a street rod is not for everyone. No way could you build one with this much content and reliability FOR 45K

• 

  The Burb - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Burber - August 26 - 6:12 pm

  Its been great with the exception of having to replace the catalytic converter which cost a few bucks! Sufficient power, drives smaller than it is, very quiet.

• 

  I love my car - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jbodyfreak8802 - August 26 - 6:03 pm

  My car is a 99 cavalier LS 4 door. Its a great little car, and its pretty quick for stock. I havent had any trouble out of it motor wise. But the front tires kinda need to be swaped out. The little 2.4 is really spunky for lack of a better word. Its 155 hp can get you down the road just fine at cruise or passing. I love the car. Its a good all around car.The handling could be tightened up. It tends to understeer but I guess thats what hapens when you need front tires. All and all its a great little car.

• 

  Hidden Corolla - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By stephen hill - August 26 - 2:04 pm

  Excellent value for a run-about/commuter. It is like other Toyotas, reliable, but hardly inspiring. Going with a 5 speed manual helps, some.

• 

  Great Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Cliff - August 26 - 4:10 am

  After having two Z71 Suburbans, I gave in and purchased a truck that could pull my 30ft. RV and still be driver in the city. This is a great truck, quality is tops. I have almost 4000 miles and have not had any problems. I have also noticed that once the truck warms up, the mileage is not bad for a big gasoline engine. I have averaged 16 on the road and around 13 in town. Considering the size, power etc. this is not bad. The six speed transmission is great for pulling. My RV weighs in at about 7500lbs and you cant even tell its there. I have driven in North Carolina pulling the trailer in the mountains with no issues. I havent missed my Suburban.

• 

  Trail Blazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mike - August 25 - 10:40 pm

  Very powerful engine for a V-6, sleek exterior, very roomy interior, great suspension, feels like you are riding on glass.

• 

  Better gas mileage - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By toad61 - August 25 - 7:58 pm

  Very impressed with the mileage. I have gotten 32 going 78mph. I also have gotten near 37 going 61mph. Excellent with the cost of gas. Very roomy and has nice pickup. have 11000 mile so far and no problems.

• 

  You can do so much better - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Ron - August 25 - 7:37 pm

  I so regret buying this car. Im stuck with it. I bought the vehicle in July 2001 for $22000. About 7 mos later I decided I really didnt like the vehicle and decided to trade it in. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the trade-in value was about $8000. It had depreciated $13000 in just 7 mos. I recently tried to trade it in again. The trade-in value is $5800. I owe more than the car is worth. There are many things I dont like about this vehicle. Visibility is terrible. Its hard to see out the rear view mirror. For a smaller SUV, its a major gas hog. Im getting about 18mpg. My insurance is high because the vehicle has low safety ratings. There are so many quality vehilcles around