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:

• 

  Solid Vehicle (so far) - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By calljunior - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this vehicle for 2 year and other than corrosion on the + battery cable it has been a champ inside and out. Now at 60k miles its developed a "whine" that appears to be coming from somewhere in the engine compartment so Im holding my breath a bit...wondering. Ive run across some vehicles Id like to own but I just cant justify letting go of what has been such a reliable SUV. Im crossing my fingers for another good 60k miles.

• 

  Good, but still not a Japanese car...... - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By speedingticket2004 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Had this car one month and have a love/hate relationship with this car. Car has a defective transmission that GM is aware of but has no idea how to fix. Car moans on acceleration which is annoying and shows that the workmanship issues at GM are still there. The other day the chevy logo fell off the car on my driveway!!!! The looks are great but the front end is just plain ugly. The drivers seat has many adjustments except tilt (the one that I need) I am very uncomfortable driving this car. I am sure this car was meant to go up against Camry and Accord but I am afraid when it comes to quality, GM loses again.

• 

  cool truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By solof - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I liked Avalanche before I bought it, but I love it now since Ive used it.

• 

  Not too much to worry about - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By COPEMAN - July 24 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I recently purchased a 2002 Suburban with 300 miles from a dealership. Excellent customer service and an all around great vehicle. If you can get over the 12 MPG factor you wont have to much to worry about with this vehicle.

• 

  Great SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Navyblueteach - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Very roomy! Vehicle rides well and is great to have when you have children.

• 

  Awsome Sport Ute - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mossieoak - July 24 - 2:00 am

  This is the best sport utility on the market. I have driven 8 different manufacturers (Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler, ect) and this vehicle beats them hands down. The Chevrolet Tahoe was great but I opted for more room.

• 

  Freds Review - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Hofmeier - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Great truck! Its the 2nd one weve bought in four years...still have the one we purchased in 2000! Love them both!

• 

  Good by chevy - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tso - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, good size, good styling, roomy 3rd row that can fit adults. Many AC problems over two years. VERY disappointed over residual value. A $37000 car is now worth $12000 after two years on a trade. Chevy has lost a customer forever.

• 

  POJ - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rod munch - July 24 - 12:06 am

  Real bad build quality. The brakes are horrible - expect to replace all rotors and pads especially the back every 20,000 miles. Items replaced under warrenty: Steering column (twice); passenger window motor + track; heater element. Here is what went after warrenty: anti-lock brake sensor (40,000 miles) ~ $250; water pump (48,000 miles) ~ $450; the steering column that was replaced twice is cluncking again. Numerous other defects too small to mention. This truck is literally garbage.

• 

  Breathtaking - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By robert - July 23 - 2:47 pm

  Here it is people a super car that is simply awesome. The looks of the vert with the top down is stunning. The performance is world class. The quality of fit and finish will satisfy the most discerning consumer. You cant go wrong. Enjoy