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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  AWESOME TRUCK - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By ROCK - November 28 - 2:39 pm

  Awesome truck, a real head-turner!

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  Like a knock, it was loud as it could be - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By The knocker - November 28 - 9:38 am

  Ive been bitten by the piston slap GM engine at less than 25k miles. The dealership is hesitant to do anything other than give me the "carbon-top runaround." Id be wary to ever own another GM product. The warranty isnt worth the paper it was written on. At this point the dealers refuse to look at the truck when I tell them that the engine is making noise. Sadly, my next vehicle purchase (Jan 05) will be affected by this unfortunate situation.

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  Two thumbs up! - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tom Welds - November 28 - 8:14 am

  Excellent ride.. tough on fuel..

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  small problems big money - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Alex - November 28 - 7:13 am

  I have owned my 2500HD for 2 and a half years now and it has been a great truck with great power but it has nickel and dimed me to death with little repairs here and there. It gets used and now has 92,000 miles on it. The 6.0 is awesome but I think Ill go with something else next go around

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  Chevy for show - Ford for go - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By oulenz - November 28 - 6:38 am

  Great performance and looks. Poor quality and reliability. Had to replace alternator, timing belt, and battery just days after the warranty expired. While under warranty, had to have oil leak repaired, weather stripping replaced, drivers window scratches when open and closed. Five years later it again needed the same things fixed. Replaced all tires after only 26000 miles (about $370.00 each)! I had to buy a new battery eight years after buying my 1991 Ford... thats the only thing that has failed on it!

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  Blazer - 2005 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Howard Chevy - November 28 - 1:06 am

  I have a 2004 Chevy Blazer 2DR 2WD LS Manual. This thing is a mutant. It is a loaded out standard. The only thing I can say to Chevy about this pile of junk is : why are they making 2005s? I practically have to get out and push the thing up a hill. It goes from 0-60 in about 45 minuetes. There is just NO power behind it. Instead of miles per gallon the Chevy Blazer gets feet per gallon. It costs me aprox. $45.00 to go 250 miles. As for safety I give it 2 thumbs way way down. The windshield wipers dont go fast enough. I have almost lost control several times on the highway when i get hit by a crosswind. Dont get me wrong the Blazer is fun to drive.

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  Most bang for the buck - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Gerf - November 28 - 12:06 am

  Owned the car for about a year so far. No problems. Every option on my car makes this vehicle a joy. Put aftermarket exhaust and intake on about three months ago. World of difference in power. This car is an auto and still will pin your ears back. I love It! Definitely would recommend to future buyers. Only people who want to own sports cars would dislike this car. Incredible fun for an inexpensive car 25-30K. Have fun and drive hard!!!!!!!

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  BEST TRUCK/SUV I HAVE OWEND - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By JIMBO.SS454 - November 27 - 11:26 pm

  I HAVE ALLWAYS BEEN A GM FAN/NUT WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO CALL ME. I HAVE A 1970 2500 CAMPER SPECIAL FOR THE HARD WORK AND THE AVALANCHE IS MY DAILY WORK HORSE. I LOVE BOTH OF MY TRUCKS.

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  7 yrs of good exper. w/ 97 Chev Vent Ext - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Chevowner - November 27 - 10:00 pm

  We bought our 97 Chev Venture Ext LS minivan (2 sliding doors) new and have had an overall very good experience. The 2 problems so far are a check engine light at 75K miles that the dealer reset for $80 (has not come back on yet), and the drivers window switch went out recently & cost $65 to replace. We have 88K miles. It was the quietest and best driving vehicle I have owned so far.

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  Impressive Ride - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By DHayes - November 27 - 5:50 pm

  So far, I love this car! It has classy style, power, and safety features rolled into one fantastic dream car. Everything you could want in a car, except for DVD or navigation system, but OnStar and hands-free phone is cool.