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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  Great family truck - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dwkkmk2 - October 16 - 2:00 am

  I had looked at the Ford Expidition, as well as the Excursion. The ride and creature comforts on the GM won hands down. The Autoride rides like a Cadillac Limo, The DVD is great for the back seat crew, and the bose speakers w/xm is spectacular sounding. Onstar assures quick emergancy response where ever you are.

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  1998 Chevy Malibu base model - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Rodney Gipson - October 15 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I purchased this car 6 years ago with much research and a visit to the auto show. Weve had some problems here and there, master cylinder, engine computer system replacement, alternator. These repairs were spread out over the six years.We originally wanted a Camry but it would have cost $24,000 compared to 18,500 we paid for the Malibu. Even with the above mentioned repairs, this car has been excellent considering its been our only car. Both my wife and I drive this car everyday and it gets driven quite a bit every day. The gas milage is still great, and highway performance is excellent. Had we had a second car this car would be in mint condition. Still happy with this car.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By penrose - October 15 - 2:00 am

  First week with about 200 miles on it. Sold my 2003 Dodge for a 2004 Z66 and this is quite an upgrade as far as ride and comfort. Taking $10,000 off the sticker didnt hurt either.

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  Family Ride - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Miller4 - October 15 - 2:00 am

  We replaced a GM Family Minivan with Suburban. Comfort, room, performance and ride exceptional. Safety of Family offsets the decrease in Fuel Economy. Wife and Kids love it, Dad wishes he could drive it more.

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  Do more than a 5 minute test drive! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mike & Sharon - October 14 - 5:10 pm

  We have always been Chevy fans, but learned the hard way that a 5 minute test drive doesnt always give a clear picture of a vehicles space, comfort, or ride. The seats are so hard they are terrible for any drive longer than 1 hour. There is no place to put anything, even your purse, except for at your feet, which is a small enough space as it is. The ride in the back seats is like a truck-bumpy. The gas mileage is terrible! Our bigger, roomier mini van gets better mileage than the Nox. This averages 19--and the gas tank is far too small for this mileage, you have to fill up every 230 miles or so. It is overall so bad, we are going to take it in the shorts and trade it in!

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  HHR in the country - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By dairyaire - October 14 - 12:33 pm

  I really enjoy driving my HHR. My son, on the other hand, likes the car, but at 61", he is almost too tall to comfortably drive it.

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  very good - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By mmk - October 14 - 2:00 am

  this is a very good used litte truck i found it in exelant condition

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  2 1/2 happy years - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By jstebell - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Good vehicle, perfit for going to Home Depot. My wife loves it, she would rather drive the truck verses our Honda minivan.

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  NO GOOD - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jp - October 14 - 2:00 am

  The same day that we bought this BLAZER we had to bring it back to the dealer because it was shaking. Wheels were balanced but it was still unstable. After bringing it to the dealer several times, about a year later the dealer did find out a rim was not round. It was replaced and for a while driving it was more stable, but not for too long. Now the dealer is saying the tires are out of spec & worn out. I went to Tires Plus & at least two other mechanics and the tires have threads for at least 20k more miles. The dealer fixed problems with the A/C & 4x4. I’m thinking about taken court action for the wheels.

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  Chevy Subruban a Big Winner in our home. - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mr_zuzu - October 14 - 2:00 am

  This is our second suburban...first weve purchased "new." The internet manager at the dealer was great and we love the new 2004 suburban. We got the LT package with Onstar and XM radio. In addition, we added the DVD/sunroof package as well as the locking diff and skid plates. I got to drive the vehicle for about 300 miles from the dealership to our home both in traffic, 4 lane highway, and twisty-turny northern california mountain roads. it handles beautifully. This 04 drives much better than our 02. All the "gadget stuff" is awesome...but for over 40k one would expect it to be. Great ride, room for all our kids, pleanty of power, and all the gizmos that make driving fun!