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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  Nice Truck - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Patrick Sowers - July 6 - 5:23 am

  This is a really good truck. I got a good deal on a 2009 with the GM loyalty program and I am very happy with this truck. It is a work truck extended cab, but it has carpet and cruise control in it. The seats are very nice for a WT. The radio is the CD MP3 version, plus the truck has tilt steering. For the price I paid for a 3/4 ton and what other companies are asking for one, what a deal.

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  First Impressions - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By RedDawg - July 6 - 4:49 am

  I love this truck, car, whatever. Thats the key for me its the sports car I always wanted, the truck I seem to need periodically, and a convertable to boot. It probably doesnt do any of these things as well as a respective dedicated vehicle, but, it does all-3, and it does it well! It has class, style, performance and ride, but most of all its a blast to drive. I will use it daily. Fit and finish are better than most, and the Blue Blur is a beautiful, green under flourescent lights. The chrome wheels look killer with little Chevy emblems.

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  New Uplander- Great New Vehicle! - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Mike C. - July 6 - 4:37 am

  We purchased this vehicle after having two Astro vans and two Chevy station wagons. This van has all the features anyone could want! We recently took it across country, and got 23 miles per gallon while averaging 85 miles per hour! The van handles like a luxury car! By the way, we compared it to our Aunts Honda Odyssey and it had more features, better gas mileage and better overall performance for a better price! We highly recommend this vehicle, and suggest people consider it now, as General Motors is having its greatest sale ever!

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  Got it right GM! - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Happy in P-Town - July 6 - 3:33 am

  GM has their trucks dialed. Yes, I have a "ticking" engine, but hey, so what? After 10 seconds the sound is gone. The engine is strong and sturdy. I love the torque. Smooth, quiet, but there when you need it. Interior finishes are sub-par. Reliability is much better than my BMW X5, which is in the shop every month.

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  A sweet ride - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By btmec - July 6 - 1:17 am

  I have had my Avalanche for a month. So far I have not been dissapointed. I cant find one thing to dislike. It tows my boat with no problem. The ride is beautiful for a 4WD vehicle. I took it off road the other day up some step and rough hills and it handled them with no problems at all. I was riding in comfort with my XM radio playing and the air conditioner on. It was a blast. This is honestly the best vehicle I have ever owned.

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  Salesman Sedan - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Turbo XL - July 5 - 8:46 pm

  I travel a large 8 state area of the Midwest. My average week is 1,200 to 1,500 miles per week. The fuel mileage is a steady 29 - 30 mpg, which helps with the high fuel prices. I wish I would have purchased the XM/ On Star option. Im 62" & fit comfortable. But I dislike the seat due to it already sagging out, & would like it to have more lumbar support. Also, I prefer a tighter suspension, however I realize that I prefer a stiffer ride, & that is not what the public wants. I will be replacing my car in the spring & will consider buying an other Impala.

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  Awesomelanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By AvsFan33 - July 5 - 7:28 pm

  After a few weeks and 1200 miles, along with a long camping trip, I am happy as can be with my new Avalanche. It is a pleasure to drive and very functional. I was able to load everything I needed in the back as well as a dog and kid in back seat with 1/2 the seat down for additional food and pillows, etc. I love the way it looks and the way it performs. I drove several trucks before buying this one and I know now I made the right choice. Even the highway gas mileage was better than I hoped. Yes the mileage suffers in heavy city traffic but then thats usually during shorter distances anyway. I rate this vehicle a 10.

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  This Avalache has it all! - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Pete - July 5 - 4:04 pm

  I purchased this unit about three months ago and since then it has been used for almost everything. Its a very versatile unit, in that in most cases it is really a full size 4-door pick up. Its very comfortable as it rides better than most full size automobles, but you then have the ability to haul almost anything with it up to items which are eight feet in length, all at the flip of a couple of switches.

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  Nothing Great - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By miller - July 5 - 3:40 pm

  This van is not exceptional. However it does a lot of things well for a good price. 8 passenger seating, ample storage space, roof racks, aftermarket hitch and good gas mileage too. Reliability has not been great, but everything except the AC condenser at 45K was covered under warranty and the servicing dealer (not the one we bought it at) has been great.

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  Happy man - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By NY suburbanite - July 5 - 1:49 pm

  This is a great truck. I read reviews about "bad fuel economy". Remember this is a big truck and for its engine and vehicle size, its good on gas. I had an Explorer which was a lot worse. Over all this is a great vehicle. Its very comfortable, and handles great. Im a Suburban man for life.