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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  C6 compared to C5 - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By William J. Tewksbury - July 30 - 4:12 pm

  I own two C5s and one C6. The 6 is far and away superior to my 2000 and 2003 C5s in every category. All magazine reviews are absolutely correct regarding comfort, quietness, and quickness. An absolute pleasure to drive.

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  No more Blazers for me! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Maureen - July 30 - 3:05 pm

  Perhaps we should have not leased this vehicle for 5 years, but the reliability as well as mechanical functions are starting to fail. The vehicle will shift itself into 4 wheel drive. We have had it in for service for this, and the dealer cannot find the reason why it is doing this. The front brakes especially are awful, and they have had to be replaced way too often. I dont drive a lot of miles to work, or drive the vehicle a lot in general. Not a lot of excess wear and tear to explain the need for the brakes to be replaced as frequently as they have been. And gas mileage is terrible. My hubbys F-150 gets better gas mileage than the Blazer does. A lot of squeaks and rattles while driving.

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  Value - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ssful - July 30 - 1:30 pm

  Ive been most pleased with my 2004 Malibu. It suits my needs, safely getting me to the grocery store, and not breaking the bank on providing transportation. I feel this is an excellent choice for a student driver, or small family, or elderly person who is not looking for all the bells and whistles, but reliable transportation with the safety of a midsize. I extensively shopped, and only the Malibu and Galant were priced within my range .I purchased a demo with low mileage fully equipped, with two years of remaining warranty and paid under $10k. My only complaint is the seat adjustment handle is of such inferior plastic, I fear that it will break off every time I have to readjust.

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  Been good to me - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By monte33 - July 30 - 12:40 pm

  I fell in love with this car and bought it when I was 7 mo pregnant. The rear seats have plenty of space and are comfy. I have tinted windows and have replaced the stock radio which greatly improved sound quality w/o getting new speakers/amp. Ibought my SS in 09/01 and about to hit 60,000 mi. and have this popping sound thats felt in the steering wheel when turning. It is bothersome and annoying. Have yet to look into the source. Rear window was replaced due to defrost not working and theres leaking in trunk ever since. Dew is in trunk and rear taillights and items in trunk are damp but theres no leak though they insist. Auto windows are slowing down now. But I still love my SS.

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  Thing break all the time - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By DonKKong - July 30 - 5:33 am

  Fuel pump, alternator, too much more to list went as soon as it was out of warranty. Last time I buy a lousy GM. Glad to see that seat lever wasnt just me.

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  2003 Monte Carlo-Great Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Staci Koetter - July 30 - 2:36 am

  Great vehicle for purchase price. Great gas mileage! No issues with performance. Graduating to higher end vehicle. Would be a good starter car for a teenage driver.

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  Best Vette ever - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ron mcArthur - July 30 - 1:40 am

  Added nav system, power top, and z51 suspension. Total combo provides best handling with comfort of luxury car with the best bang for the buck in the power and styling catagory. Have had many Vettes of the past, and from the 2000 c-4 body to this is the most improved of any in its history

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  The Most Fun on the Road - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Jenn - July 30 - 1:00 am

  This car is by far the fastest ride on the road. With the handling of a sports car, the speed of a Corvette, and style of a classic, you cant go wrong with this car. Minus the few design problems this car is by far the best out there. If youre one for fun, this car is the only choice. Caution: it is a police magnet, especially in black!

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  Super - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By harold - July 30 - 12:32 am

  This is one of the easiest SUVs to drive, even in reverse and when parking. It feels like a good expensive sedan. Not bouncy nor tight like other "large" SUVs. Except for the gas expense and the outside mirrors that do not fold by themselves, I think this is a super car.

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  Nothing compares to the Z71 2005 Tahoe - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Brenda - July 29 - 11:52 pm

  I just traded in my 2001 2 WD Tahoe for the Z71 2005 package. My Tahoe is black. Most significant things Ive noticed are visibility, power, looks, and strength. Im 53 years old, and this is the best vehicle Ive ever had the pleasure of owning. Ive had more fun in this truck....I can say even more than my 1969 Mach I and 1973 Black Charger (ss - special edition). Im in love. Thank you Chevy, and thank you for giving us a better price.