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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  03 4x4 4.8L - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BCKNBLK - October 7 - 2:00 am

  When the 03s first came out I hated the new design but it grew on me. I added a billet aluminum grille and it looks like a whole new truck now. The power of just the 4.8L impressed me so much that I thought it was a 5.3L at first. I had two Dodge Rams previously and the vortech motor would just walk all over the 5.2L and 5.9Ls I had in my Rams. Overall its a AWESOME truck and Chevy got back my loyalty with this truck!

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  Dont buy this truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By optimus1013 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck in Aug. I have had problems with lugging and am told it is normal by the dealership. Shift points are off. Dimmer lights have stopped working.I have had it in two times they still have yet to fix problem. If you want reliabilty and something you can be happy and proud of dont buy this truck. It is really junk.

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  Real everyday driving experience - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Luke Pryor - October 6 - 4:14 pm

  Here is the Good; Very quite ride and smooth ride, very nice steering wheel, leather wrap is great quality, has lots of wide space in the interior of the cabin, Great step up in the back bumper to get into the bed of the truck, great for what is was built for which is hauling, exterior is very handsome, good looking truck. Here is the Bad; electronic steering always going out, vibrates at about 50mph, the side view mirrors are too small, back seat feels cheap and are like sitting on cardboard, not enough leg room, the whole cabin feels cheap, feels claustrophobic inside, I think the dash board and the instrument panel looks like a cartoon character design it, the whole dash looks dated and its a new interior, front seats are not that comfortable on long distance, only 18" wheels on an off road vehicle really , gas sucks on this truck I am only averaging 13.7mpg and I dont have a heavy foot, I think the doors where you rest your arm is too narrow and the center arm rest has that useless plastic thing down the center of it where you rest your arm is just stupid, no vents for the back seat, the roof in the inside cabin slopes down into your visual site which makes the truck look cramped poor design, it does not feel like a truck, it feels like a short in height car, they need to make the truck more tall than wide. not enough ground clearance sits to low to the ground, the windshield needs to be 2-3 inches more in height. I am sorry but the new design does not save on fuel like the claim, Ford and Ram do a much better job on the interior and more user friendly and more ergonomic for driver and passengers, the back tail gate does not lock when you use keyless entry system, this is just stupid, in the center of the dash where you touch screen is they have 115volt down at the bottom and you cannot see it, they door handles are lit up, but not enough to make any difference, this is a miss. and a few recalls already and I have not had it a year yet. I will be trade this in for something else (Ram or Ford or Jeep).

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  Solid Car - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By theBartman - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I was surprised to read some of the negative remarks about brakes with the 2000 Malibu. I bought one new in Oct. 99 and am just having my first brake work done today (rotors and pads) at approx. 44,000 miles. The only complaint I have with the car, which I saw someone else mention, is that the heat/AC directional dial doesnt work as advertised. Im happy when I can at least get partial air headed in the desired direction.

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  Best vehicle I ever owned - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By corngator - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I have owned forty new vehicles in the last thirty-seven years and this one has the power, 8.1 (496) engine with 37.5 gas tank and 3.73 rear end to give me about fifteen MPG. Since 1976 when they made cars smaller and I am a large person, the Avalanche has the right fit and ride.

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  Great Ride!!! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Shuba - October 6 - 10:00 am

  On road and off, this vehicle has performed wonderfully. 21K miles without any mechanical problems and much better gas mileage than previous explorer.

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  2002 Silverado R.C./S.B. 5.3L 2WD - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By A.L. - October 6 - 10:00 am

  Traded my 1993 Chevy which I had for 9 years never had a problem but lacking a little power. This is why I bought another Chevy( 2002 ) This puppy with the reg. cab and short bed will get up and move. It does have the 5.3L which will move it with no problem. I have add a cat-back system, better shocks, and a bed hard matching cover.

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  Best vehicle ever - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Karen Finch - October 6 - 8:05 am

  We were so happy with our 2012 Equinox that we bought another one in 2015.

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  98SSman - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SSman - October 6 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is very enjoyable to especially when you have the T-top model like my self.If they go back to making the camaro I hope Chevy works more on the interior and try to get an engine sold off the lot that runs on regular gas

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  Astro - 2005 Chevrolet Astro
  By Edward Weessies - October 6 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle I am reviewing was purchased used in 2001. I now have 96000 miles on it and it has never failed me. We have useed it to travel on trips in excess of 5000 miles at a time. I am 61" and 250 pounds and I find the unit most comfortable.