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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  Perrys Trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By perry - March 13 - 1:04 pm

  this has been the best vehicle I have ever owned. You get a lot of bang for the buck with this SUV. Performance is great and it has a smooth, car-like ride. When this vehicle first came out it had a lot of advancements that were firsts on an SUV, like steel reinforced hydraformed side rails for safety, and a smooth powerful european inline 6 cylinder. Besides normal wear and tear maintanance costs and some dealer recalls, the vehicle has been very reliable.

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  Tough, Dependable, Workhorse - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By bwat - March 13 - 4:46 am

  Purchased in 2005 with 90k, now over 130k. I have never had a problem beyond standard maintenance with it. Ride height and feel is just right, power is adequate, steering is a little sloppy, but its a truck not a Porsche. I drive it daily and it sees use both as a driver and a workhorse for my construction business, I average about 15-17mpg loaded in mixed city/hwy conditions. It tows incredably well even with the 4.8L V8 and after being abused by me for two years is running better than when I purchased it.

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  BEST VEHICLE IVE EVER OWNED - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By DDT - March 13 - 2:00 am

  I,ve owned many luxury cars and several types of trucks. My avalanche rides as smooth as cadillac without the annoying bottoming out on the dips in many city. streets.It is very quiet and hauls my cargo completely weather tight.I cannot say enough good things about this truck. It is truly the ultimate vehicle.

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  Still Smiling - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By VeryBlessed - March 13 - 1:02 am

  My wife and I have had this car for 5 years now. We actually bought it in Jan. of 2000 for a steal, $17,700 and the car is fully loaded! I have seen a lot of negative feedback on this car but mine has been a pleasure. We have been truly blessed to have such a dependable car. We have only had small problems such as the hazard light/turn light problem, air conditioning blower not working on 1 or 2, and the window motor broke down. All problems were fixed inexpensively after warranty expired. The car has close to 107,000 miles on it and we have only replaced the brake pads 3 times and no rotor damage at all!! God truly blessed us with this, from the price all the way to the reliabilty.

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  I drive it like I stole it - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ed - March 12 - 7:26 pm

  Im a contractor in Northern Vermont and this is my work truck. Cost 21k new w/ auto 4wd and air. 185,000 miles of merciless beating and still running hard. Work cap full of tools and ladders weigh enough to need helper springs just to get it to ride normal, and I keep this kind of weight in it 24/7. I regularly tow my dual axle dump trailer full of construction debris, and the 4.8 liter does fine. The thing eats brakes, but Chevy does make a 3/4 ton. The paint is peeling a little where there are dents or scrapes, but no real rust-the galvanize is holding up well. The steering clunk was fixed under warranty and Ive spent about $3k on repairs and maintenance

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  Great Horsepower lousy gas mileage - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By CarReviewer7 - March 12 - 5:03 pm

  I have owned my Silverado for about 3 years, it is an extended cab. I absolutley love everything about it except the gas mileage. It is horrible. As a person who works in the construction field I have to drive it all over California. But all in all it is a really great truck. Reliable

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  Great truck - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By NC driver - March 11 - 10:06 pm

  Owned minivans for 7 years prior to purchasing our first SUV. We needed something large enough for our 2 kids, dog and all our luggage. The Suburban was the logical choice. Plesantly surprised by the engine power and comfort. This truck can really get going when you punch the accelerator. Fuel economy is the only flaw, but you know that going in to the purchase. I think I will always have a Suburban. I wish my wife would let me get my own but we dont need two.

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  Whata rush! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Boz - March 11 - 7:46 pm

  This car is a blast to drive, gas mileage is acceptable, and if you dont have Flowmasters on it, youre missing out. Great rumble, great performance, great looks. I love this car!

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  Drive - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By scott fuoco - March 11 - 4:23 pm

  Great fun car! Dogs comfortable riding in back. Problem w fuse box, then speed control sensor in front wheel. Both problems were addressed and taken care of very fast. Both times car did not break down. This car is always a conversation peice! Great handling car, top 10 saftey rated. Very fast, great for long trips, and plenty of space inside.

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  Highly Reliable - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Vinod - March 11 - 3:21 pm

  Great Vehicle. It has been very reliable with no major problems reported. Great gas mileage and dependability. For someone who is 5 6", this is perfect for me. Mostly City driving, occasional highway. For a compact car, it appears to have more room than you think.