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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  Versatility - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Sudskis - September 29 - 2:00 am

  Love the versatility of being able to use the bed for several differnt types of uses. I like to be able to lock the tailgate. Is very convenient for loading ski gear, golf clubs or whatever & know that it is secure in the bed.

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  I LOVE THIS TRUCK! - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By JEFF DAVIS - September 29 - 2:00 am

  LOOKS & FEELS LIKE A FULL SIZE TRUCK. GREAT STYLING. SPACIOUS INTERIOR WITH VERY COMFORTABLE SEATS. GREAT BRAKES. AWSOME CD SOUND, RACK & PINION STEERING. 5SPEED TRANNY SHIFTS LIKE A SPORTS CAR. I-4 ENG IS QUITE POWERFUL (175HP). FANTASTIC GAS MILEAGE (I"M GETTING BETWEEN 26 & 27 MPG). I RECENTLY HAULED 10 SHEETS OF PLYWOOD ACROSS THE STATE & FOUND THE TAILGATE 55 DEGREE SELECTION WORKS QUITE WELL. YOU CAN PLACE FULL SHEETS OF PLYWOOD DOWN FLAT INSIDE OF BED.

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  4,000 miles - 5 times in shop - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Steve Beavers - September 29 - 2:00 am

  Today I get pulled over for no brake lights, I dont know now if they ever worked? Very poor fit and finish, doors dont close properly, just all around cheap material and construction. I will never buy a GM product again, nor let a family member.

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  best of the big ones - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By taxi mommy - September 29 - 2:00 am

  after riding in a few i went with the suburban and love it, will buy another within 2 years! gas mileage is 19 on trips, what more could you ask for

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  Long live the C5 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dart2board - September 29 - 2:00 am

  Simply Great !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Best Vette Yet - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Stancel - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This is my 5th Corvette and it is the best one yet! The ride is great compared to the others without sacrificing handeling. Performance is upthere with the 60s muscle cars!

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  SUV Chevelote - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Wende Adkins - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Having been a Ford person for the Last 30 yrs. I am well pleased with my Chevelot SUV, my husband purchase for my birthday in 03.

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  Just What a Light Duty Truck Should Be - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Sheldon - September 27 - 6:26 am

  My wife picked this Z71 4x4 out for my while I was in Afghanistan. I love her choice. Great interior and exterior design. I’ve been hauling stuff since I got back home. Hauled 1,600 of lumber to the dump last month in the bed – slightly more than recommended, but the truck handled it like a champ both in and out of two/haul mode without a lot of sagging in the back, etc. The 18” wheels greatly improve the appearance. Remote start is great on hot days as it automatically turns on the A/C full blast (heat the same in winter). Highly recommend.

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  This ones a keeper - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jo Momma - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Im not rich, so I looked for something reasonable. The S-10 has satisfied me in all aspects save for one. Its smooth lines give it a sporty look, and with a few minor engine adjustments give it a rumble and growl that lead many to believe it is a V-8. The black interior glistens in the sun when I give it its weekly Armor All treatment (the only for the interior complaint is that in california heat you need breathable seats. Finally my truck may sound like a V-8 but really it is a V-4, the only thing keeping me here is the fact that it is a stick shift otherwise this vehicle would be way too slow.

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  Great Gas Mileage/Reliable Car - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Mike Steidemann - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I have owned two Chevy Prizms. One was a 1998 automatic and the one I own now is the 1999 5 speed LSI. I liked both cars, but I found that the automatic only averaged about 30 MPG while the stickshift averaged about 32.5 miles per gallon. Both cars were very reliable for me. I would suggest either version for a budget tight driver. The Prizm was also built on the same line as the Toyota Corolla and they are basically the same car.