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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  Well Done GM! - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Kevin Palmer - July 15 - 8:53 pm

  Great handling, quiet interior. Navigation is a plus. The third row seat is pointless since it gives you almost zero storage behind them. Fuel economy is fair at 16mpg avg after 10,000 miles .Drives great on a long trip and feels just as at home on the beach. LTZ pkg is the way to go. Just do some homework before you buy! You can search local GM dealers inventory online and then request a price via internet. Right off the bat youll save 10% off MSRP.This car is not your old Suburban. Its been completely redone!

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  I love my Collector Edition - 1996 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Terrence - July 15 - 8:31 pm

  This is a very fun car. The performance is great, the suspension is nice, and the brakes are adequate. What I like most about it, is the cockpit feeling of the interior, and the C4 body styling.

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  Like it! - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dale - July 15 - 2:58 pm

  Bought the basic vehicle with only the Z66 package. it has all I need. I love the ride and versatility. I use the midgate at least twice a week for something. The look without the body molding but with the wheel flairs is great. I usually get tired of a vehicle within a year, but Ill be keeping this one for a number of years.

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  A GREAT VEHICLE! - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Diane - July 15 - 11:30 am

  The Warner Bros. minivan is a great vehicle. I drive a great deal and am very comfortable with the vans handling and maneuverability. I have had this van 4-1/2 years, and the reliability has been great! I would highly recommend this vehicle. I love this van so much that I intend on keeping it for many, many years to come.

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  Love my Car! Its tight..... - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By nancy scherba - July 15 - 9:53 am

  It feels really good, great ride. Just sold my Chevy Blazer for a smaller SUV and it feels good. Better millage and I like the safety features as well. Perfect for my gardening and groceries at the same time.

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  love my Car!!! Its tight..... - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By nancy scherba - July 15 - 9:36 am

  It feels really good, great ride....just sold my Chevy Blazer for a smaller SUV and it feels good. Better millage and I like the safety features as well. Perfect for my gardening and groceries at the same time.....

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  More Than I Expected - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Pasta Boy - July 14 - 10:19 pm

  I was extremely surprised by the quality and comfort of the Trailblazer. The gas mileage is a respectable 18.5 in the city and 21mpg on the highway. It has very durable hardware inside and out. I am very pleased and will buy another.

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  Great Truck - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Matt - July 14 - 8:33 pm

  This truck is amazing. I just drove cross country and was amazed that my body was not all tired and fatigued after completing 1,500+ miles in 3 days. The truck was also able to sit five full sized adults comfortably. I was constantly amazed at the power this truck has and what a true joy it was to drive.

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  Silveraldo 1500 WT 4x4 crew cab 4.8L - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jake - July 14 - 7:10 pm

  Driving experience has been great so far. And the complete control of the truck is second to none. Have had many praises on the looks and size of cockpit. Reliability thus far has been good. Good work and family vehicle with comfort. Chevy has a nice product here for the price.

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  2002 z24 and the mew 2003 model - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ryan V. - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought the 2002 z24 that came with the Ecotec in Canada. Although it lost 10 hp from the previous 2.4L engine, the car still has respectable power from 150 ft lbs of torque. Im pretty sure this model is identical to the new 2003 design; the only differences being the design and some interior bits. The build quality is below average and the materials used is also below par. The tweaked suspension gives it a grippy handle on the road; thats a plus. This car gives you what you paid for. If it was 5,000-7,000 more I wouldnt have bought it.