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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  My 2005 Z71 - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By dammitjim1 - December 8 - 11:08 am

  I have always admired the look of the Z71 Tahoe, particularly in black. IMO, no Tahoe and not many other SUVs look better than this. When I was notified by GMAC that I could "Pull Ahead" 9 months early on my 02 Trailblazer lease, and they gave me some other incentives as well,I jumped at the chance. The comfort, ride and handling of the Z71 is outstanding - equal to or better than any car Ive ever driven. At 75 MPH, the ride is smooth and quiet, with the engine positively loafing at less than 2K RPM I am very pleased after nearly 1 month of ownership. If the reliability holds up over the 48 month Smartbuy, Ill probably be driving a new Tahoe off the lot at Bast Chevy in 2008

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  Need to list options - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Thomas sheridan - December 8 - 4:59 am

  Its a Lt1 with all wheel drive has auto sunroof and panoromaic rear sunroof

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  2008 Chevy Cobalt - Great Value - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Andy - December 8 - 2:50 am

  I chose the 2008 Cobalt LT based on its standard features, fuel economy, and low price. The Cobalt has nice sleek lines and a very simple aesthetic appeal. Its super peppy for a 2.2 liter and has an awesome turning radius. Highway noise is minimal and has a very smooth ride. Im getting 34 MPG highway and about 26 MPG city.

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  THE 2003 ARE BETTER THAN THEN 2002 - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By STEVO - December 8 - 12:13 am

  I LIVE IN UPPER NORTHERN WISCONSIN, AND I HAVE DRIVEN A LOT OF SUVS AND TRUCKS IN MY TIME. IVE OWN GMC, CHEVYS & FORDS. I LOVE MY 2003 TRAILBLAZER. I KNOW THEY HAD ALOT OF PROBELMS WITH THE 2002, BUT MY 2003, I HAVED NO TROUBLE WITH IT EXCEPT FOR A RATTLE THAT I HAD FIXED. THE 2003 HANDLE GREAT. I LOVE DRIVING IN THE SNOW WITH MY TRAILBLAZER. THE ONLY PROBELM I GOT WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THAT THE RESALE VALUE IS CRAP. BUT YOU GET THAT WHEN YOU BUY AMERICAN. MY RECOMMENDATION FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO BUY A SUV. BUY THE 2003 TRAILBLAZER, NOT THE 2002

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  First Time Truck Owner - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Arthur Russell - December 7 - 7:41 pm

  The avalanche has plenty of power and handles very well for a large vehicle. The only problems so far was a knocking sound that was later diagnosed as a loose cross member. The vehicle has been a real pleasure to own so far.

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  1500 Z71 - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By hiteq - December 7 - 6:48 pm

  I bought this Suburban w/ the Z71 option for my wife. I believe it has everything except for the Nav System. It is an exceptional truck. We have a little less than 2000 miles in 5 weeks. The ride quality is sound, the power good, and features excellent. This is a VERY nice vehicle. Its comfort levels are excellent, and the kids love it. My teenage son can sit in the 3rd road seat while his little sisted occupy the middle row. He can work on his PC, listen to his music, etc. w/o being bothered. The girls can be in the middle and watch a DVD on the entertainment system (wireless earphones.) Mom and/or Dad can be in the front and listen to CDs or the XM radio (wife loves this feature).

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  It does the job - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Peoplemover - December 7 - 5:04 pm

  We have had our van for almost three years now and it has served us well. Getting the three seats in the middle has come in handy sometimes as you can fit eight people comfortably. The automatic leveling system has been a fine feature when we pack it for a vacation. Compared to any other van it gets some of the best gas mileage. Unless you do towing, the horsepower is very adequate. We have the two electric sliding doors and I have been amazed at their durability. I used to actually joke to my friends that the door motors would only last three years, but so far so good. My only issue would be that it could use bigger front brakes as it takes much longer to stop with 7 people in the van.

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  Heap of junk - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By marko - December 7 - 10:00 am

  You get what you pay for. Broke down 3 time in 6 months. Major electrical problems.

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  The Best Vehicle Out There - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jo - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I thought the Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 edition was one of the most fun vehicles to drive.

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  Quite Satisfied - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By BJ Mahoney - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Replacing Caravan, needed 7 seating,but not all the time.Pro- reviewers talk of leaning in corners,so dont drive like a teenager in a Miata.Drive normal and the ride is great,engine quiet,and the suspension fine.I am hoping to get sticker mileage,and was very careful to buy one that came with the standard axle ratio,as other ratios will get worse mileage. My wife likes the 4 wheel drive,for snowy weather.Hopefully we wont miss the cargo space of the Van.Great standard towing apacity,comes pre-wired.We like this thing,it is the first new Chevrolet we have owned.Our last 2 were Chrysler products.