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:

• 

  Bang for your buck - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gerald Del Sasso - May 19 - 6:59 pm

  I read reviews about the impala and I was couldnt help to notice Cheverolet advertised this large car was best in class gas mileage. So I took it for a test drive and I have been smiling ever since. I am so happy I bought this car and its alot more than I thought I could afford. The 200 HP 3.8L has some giddy-up and around town and I am still averaging over 28mpg according to the trip computer it came with. The XM package coupled with the 200W stereo make this car a must have for anyone who has drives 15000 a year. Dont take my word for it, you wont believe how far you dollar will stretch.

• 

  Mixed Feelings - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Gordon - May 19 - 4:24 pm

  This was my first brand new vehicle and I have mixed feelings. It HAS lasted almost five years straight. I have driven it repeatedly off road and pulled little bush stumps with it. On the OTHER hand, with less than 1000 miles on it a coolant leak developed behind the dash, turning that new car smell into that rotting corpse smell. Its also extremely underpowered. I have actually considered turning off the A/C when merging onto a fast highway. And I have to replace a blown A/C fuse about twice a year. As it nears 90K miles, most of the engine seals are leaking. In the end, it is just what I paid for: a cheap little truck that will take care of you if you take care of it.

• 

  Great High Speeds or Slow - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Dean C Kaul - May 19 - 12:25 pm

  We bought the car for winter use and for long trips. It is the best road car we have ever had. It is quiet and comfortable. We get to our destination far more rested than with our previous SUVs from another manufacturer. The commanding height of the driver always lets you know whats ahead. For the passenger, it is like watching from the window of a passenger train.

• 

  Best I have owned! - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By John Wasserman - May 19 - 11:06 am

  This car has everything style, performance, reliability, and power. A word of caution, warn your passenger before you put the pedal to the metal!

• 

  Exceptional car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By kaisere - May 19 - 2:21 am

  Its a rush to drive. Take your pick, every day car - or - bat out of hell...its both. For a sports car, this thing gets incredible gas mileage - over 30 on the highway. Not bad for a car that easily blows most others off the road.

• 

  Never get tired of driving it - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bryan Mills - May 18 - 7:13 pm

  If you dont like a sports car, dont get this car. You will hate it due to the low ride and poor visibility compared to a commuter car. I ordered my car from dealer new because I wanted all options except for T-tops (no truck room due to holders), chrome wheels (trows weights with hard driving) and upgraded stereo (put in aftermarket unit). Almost all dealer ordered cars have T-tops. My roomate bought the exact same car but he went with the V8. So I can also rate his as well. Mine now has 35,000 miles, his has 145,000. I drive this car real hard on occasion. Roomate babies his ride. Both cars are driven in NH winters with no traction problems thanks to the limited slip differential.

• 

  Disappointed - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By disappointed cunsum - May 18 - 6:40 pm

  When we bought ours, it had 52000 miles on it. It was great for a little while, then the transmission went bad (reverse). At 76,000miles, the radiator needed to be backflushed. The front wheel bearings went at 80,000 miles. A rear axle noise started at 81,000. The axle seals were bad when we got it. The rear u-joint was replaced at 60,000. Also had some other minor problems. I would probably never buy another one. I love Chevy, but dont care for the Blazer at all. At least not this one!

• 

  Love it - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bergman - May 18 - 3:06 pm

  I love this vehicle. So smooth, and rides like youre on clouds. The Bose stereo system is excellent. I cant believe Im doing 65 mph. It feels like it 25mph, thats how smooth it is. I love this vehicle. If I trade it in later on, it will be for another one.

• 

  Still Crusin - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Kman - May 18 - 1:07 pm

  I bought the car used in 2000. The BOSE was blown but a new custom sound system has me rockin. I like to put on my reflector sunglasses and drive around slowly. It still gets looks and comments. It corners like its on rails and the 3.8 has plenty of power for the light body. I love the car. My girlfriend thinks its too low. Mechanically its been good but interior quality is kind of iffy. Overall, I love the car. At 118,000 I expect to drive her for a while longer.

• 

  My 00 Z28 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Gregg1LE - May 17 - 1:24 am

  This is my first LS1 car. I have owned both a V6 and an LT1 4th gen car. This is by far the best one in terms of looks, style, and performance.