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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  Best vehicle I ever had - 1993 Chevrolet Suburban
  By martinez - February 18 - 1:26 am

  Lots of room, and a beautiful exterior. Its great for any kind of weather. An all around great car. I totally regret not getting one any sooner.

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  2005 Tahoe Z71 - Only drawbacks - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Steven - Detroit - February 17 - 12:09 pm

  My new 2005 Tahoe Z71 came with a faulty tire pressure sensor. Already have to take in for service. Driver side window sprayer plugged - I repaired. Noticeable height variance to brake pedal over gas pedal. May prove to be a safety issue. Watch for recalls to close the variance in height in future months.

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  Loving the fuel efficiency! - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By TreeHugger - February 17 - 10:23 am

  Ive gotta say for the fuel efficiency, hands down, the best. Traded my old Range Rover for it & Im super happy about my gas mileage but it is BIG. Bigger than any other vehicle Ive had. The rear camera needs improvement (the angle and range are off). The rear sensors are not as sensitive as they should be (minor fender bender backed into a small car) But I get 30+ on the highway easy. Trust me, Im always checking. They were very modest with the mpg. So whenever Im in Atl or DC traffic, Im laughing at the suckers who are burning up their money lol. Took the 3rd row seats out, theres no room for storage with them in.

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  I love my Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Terri Hoff - February 17 - 1:46 am

  After having paid my dues since my last two vehicles were green minivans, I decided to take the plunge and go for another SUV. Id had a Ford Explorer before I had that third child! Ive already told my husband that I am ruined. Until I get the kids raised, Im a Suburban driver for life! It is reliable,and the "little touches", such as carpeting all the way up into the control panel, yummy leather, a control panel both for the stereo and the climate for the rear passengers, go above and beyond expectations. The cargo space has no peer. Its huge, carpeted, of course, and there are little "secret compartments" here and there. I could go on and on, but Im out of space!

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  Good Truck - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By bweb - February 16 - 7:09 pm

  Have had the truck about 8 months.

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  Very Sweet - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Imharley1 - February 16 - 10:41 am

  This truck is just as cool as my 48 pickup. Im glad I waited for the bigger motor. It is very comfortable to drive, great gas mileage, fun on short trips, and looks like it would be easy to modify.

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  Time to Get Rid of It - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Smokey - February 15 - 3:51 pm

  My experience with my 99 Malibu 3.1L hasnt been a good one. I bought it used at 94,000 miles which was probably my first mistake. At first the car was fine and enjoyable to drive. However, over time the car showed its weaknesses. The first problem I had was with the ignition and a leak in the intake manifold gasket. The ignition froze up, had to have it replaced as well as the gasket. Months later I am dealing with a "fix or die" problem, three problems actually. The first two are the head gasket and intake manifold gasket, theyre both leaking, again. Worst of all the torque converter is going. I want to rid myself of this car and hopefully get an Impala.

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  Second guessing - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bryan2006 - February 15 - 2:26 pm

  I really liked my car for the first 3000 miles or so but it suddenly became sluggish, I now find myself competing with 4 cylinder engines with a slight tapping sound under the hood while at a stand still. Also a quart of oil has been burned now at 3500 miles. I am really aggravated by how much a car can change over so few miles. Reminds me of that freind that stabbed you in the back. My 2001 Acura was much more potent than this vehicle with less horsepower and displacement and more weight. Please explain this one. Gas mileage also stinks on this new car. I went from a 2004 Chevy Colorado with the 3.5 litre 5cyl to this one. Truly disappointed and thought it would be better!

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  I like it - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tom K - February 15 - 2:26 pm

  Drives and rides nice. Like the back seat room and ease of entering and exiting the rear seat. The electric assist power steering is nice. Overall a nice vehicle to have.

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  TrailBlazer Review - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By dtjump - February 15 - 4:00 am

  Excellent handling, power, towing and off road capability. Superior to any import, because The Trail Blazer LT can do it all. It also has more than adequate seating room and cargo room. The top of the line leather interial is equal or better than the import competition. Quality of workmanship is clearly evident throughout the vehicle. I dont think that the automotive press gives this or anyother American made vehicle an honest appraisal, given the difference between the editors (they arent experts) and consumers (they are experts) ratings. The lack of fake wood does not equate to inferior materials. This is one of the most capable vehicles on the road or off road.