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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  Old Blue - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By basspro - May 27 - 10:08 pm

  With upgraded seats and all electric, it is very comfoprtable. Auto start is great. Power is not good, way to much noise. With upgraded suspension, traction control and stability control, handling is adequate.

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  Really nice car - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Desiree - May 27 - 8:54 pm

  I fell in love with this car the moment I saw it. It has all the room our family needs, and plenty of safety features (such as front and side impact air bags and OnStar) to help us out if we need them. It has the DVD for the kids, and that could be considered to be a safety feature in itself! It has plenty of power for passing and getting on the highway, way more than you even need. The steering controls are also very nice. The standard stereo is enough for me, but it needs rear speakers for the kids. Love can sometimes be blind though. Fuel efficiency is not one of its best features, which is a growing concern.

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  Corvette Rules - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By William Anderson - May 27 - 12:17 pm

  Having driven a C5 Corvette for over seven years, I was anxious to see if my new C6 could expand the tremendous qualities of the C5. It does in every aspect. The acceleration and handling are a huge step up (especially with the Z51 package), it is explosive. The exterior design is a nice improvement, especially the front end, and the interior is very well done. My car is a Daytona Sunset Orange color, and draws thumbs-up from all ages everywhere I go. Truly a world class peformer with comfort and everyday driving capacities. When comparing the car to the Porsche, Viper, and even Ferrari, it is truly a steal at $54,000.

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  Highly recommend the Chevy Cavalier - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Stacey - May 27 - 10:34 am

  I owned a Ford Taurus, which was one of my most favorite cars. Three years ago I was run over by a tractor trailer and my car was totaled. Since that time I havent been able to find another vehicle that I really like and Ive had a few. That is until I purchased my Chevy Cavalier. For a little car it rides so smooth and handles real nice. I also love the way it looks. This car has really good pick up and you dont have to worry about getting left behind. This car is one of my favorites.

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  Economical for todays lifestyle. - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Tara St. Cyr - May 27 - 10:16 am

  Great value. Roomy inside, with enough room for 3 children comfortably. Spacious trunk, and handles well in snow and rainy conditions.

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  Great Truck... - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Avalanchemonster - May 27 - 10:00 am

  Hated it when it first came out, test drove one and I was hooked.. The ride is unbelieveable, power is there when you need it, space is there if you need it, and the comfort is there.

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  Excellent Large Family Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By nichoman - May 27 - 10:00 am

  Weve had our Suburban for almost a year...including a 3,000 mile vacation trip. With a family of 6...we all agree it is the most comfortable vehicle weve ever driven. The back has plenty of room for storage when taking kids to/from activities and hauling gear (like attending sporting events and carrying the kids equipment). So far...weve had no problems with vehicle. Highly recommended for someone hauling lots of people and stuff. Very reasonable price for what we got.

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  Cant go wrong with the Avalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By chevy like a rock - May 26 - 6:33 pm

  I have had it for 3 weeks now, and I drive 60 miles each way to work. Great ride. Gas mileage is not bad for the highway. I have been averaging 19-21 mpg. @ 80mph. We tow our camper with it, and it handles it with no problems. Very comfortable back seat areafor our 3 kids.

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  THE ULTIMATE " VIPER EATER" - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Brett - May 26 - 1:50 pm

  NOTHING under 100k even comes close! europe beware!

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  Love/Hate relationship - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By UGA Dawg - May 26 - 2:14 am

  I have mixed feelings about this vehicle. I bought the truck used in 2000. It has been a fairly reliable vehicle, but it has put us down a few times. Positives: Its fun to drive, has enough room for me, and has good towing power. Its been through off road situations I didnt think it could manage. It has good looks. Major problems: 40,000 or earlier oil lines leak. 70,000 tranny rebuilt-dont buy a new GM tranny, it will only give the same problem, 100,000 Dextron coolant congealed in the radiator and ruined it. At 140,000 the A/C quit and axles or bearings are roaring. Minor issues: Seat levers break, door hinge bushings wear out often (doors sag). In summary, shy away from the Blazer, although I can hardly part with mine.