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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  I love my 2003 blazer - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By mountainchick - August 20 - 7:00 pm

  Wow I was really shocked at some of the comments Ive seen on here. First off I really believe that the way a truck works depends on how you drive it and maintain it! I am not saying that the people arent taking care of it but the owners beforehand didnt. As for the worst gas milage I did agree untill I changed my fuel pump omg It saved me a lot of money and I didnt even change it because it was broke! If you drive like an idiot and go 55mph from stop sign to stop sign you will waste so much gas in anything. I go out the mountain every weekend and I have and always will buy Chevys! The one and only thing I hate is changing the spark plugs because it is soooo tight in there!

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  Great & Dependable - 1990 Chevrolet Celebrity
  By Chevy Lover - August 19 - 12:30 pm

  This is the second Celebrity Eurosport wagon that I owned. I purchased it used with 109,000 miles and now at 120,000 miles, still runs and drives excellent. Starts up in any weather and it very dependable. Great for the family. We have driven with eight comfortably. A great car all-around

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  What Minivan??? - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By RipNGo - August 19 - 8:29 am

  I had been a Minivan Mom for 7 years. I have three kids and each with two sports/activities. Loved my minivan but wanted something different. I looked at the Mazda Cx-9, Toyota Highlander, and the Honda Pilot. NOTHING compared with the Traverse!! It fits eight passengers with comfort, It is easy to drive (although I was somewhat intimidated at first), and handles like a car and much better than my Minivan. Attn: Soccer Moms out there looking to move into a Crossover. This is the SUV. Kids love it. PS I saved money by getting the LT1 model and had the dealership wrap the seats in leather and install the DVD. Came out beautiful!!!!

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  I LOVE MY TRUCK ? - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By curtis crockett - August 18 - 11:23 am

  I purchased my chevy on base from owning previously a chevy truck A 2000 three quarter ton. My idea was good luck once, good luck twice and was not disappointed. Driving my truck i felt empowered good on the road and safe knowing i was driving a chevy and the way it drove. Problems minimal only wear and tare issues. It seemed when problems come it was never with the engine or transmission just suspension type issues. My truck has run for two lifetimes and was only made, type and model at the end of 2003 for issue on the floor for 2004!!. Mind you me that is something worth.

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  Something Different - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By d8933 - August 18 - 10:00 am

  After driving it for a week, the Maxx has proven once again that Chevy is trying to compete with other hatchbacks in the market. The drive is smooth and quiet. The comfort level is good and sound system is nice. Fuel economy is yet to be determined for me.

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  Happy Z71 Owner - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By DMP - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned the vehicle for almost a month and our first test was a trip down to South Carolina. My family felt safe and comfortable all the way down, mind you we had 7 passengers. The OnStar was a tremendous help for directions. Ive never owned a Chevrolet before but, I will be a Chevrolet fan for the rest of my driving days!! Thanks for a great made vehicle!! DMP

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  Im happy with the overall performance - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By hockytwn02 - August 18 - 9:20 am

  This truck rides so darn smooth, and has power. I am unhappy with the gas mileage, craftmanship, and engineering. However I do understand w/ the 5.3 it will consume more fuel, but at 13.8 mpg I am forced to buy aftermarket products for the truck. Not everyone can keep a tonneu cover on constantly. The tailights got broken when pulling out plywood, the carpet was not tucked in around the doors, the seatbelt cover was not screwed down, and biggest one of all is The box was very off centered. Had to take back to dealer and get a loner for 2 days. No handle for passengers to hold on to, only the bar for the front passenger.

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  2004 Intimidator SS - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Jeff - August 18 - 12:06 am

  Got 42K to date on my Intimidator. I am its only owner. Seen my 1st one at Daytona 04 after watching Dale Jr win the 500. Flew home the following wednesday, was online saturday, at the dealership on sunday, drove her home on Monday....Isnt that was NASCAR WAS ABOUT??? Always wanted one since 86, took me a while but I got her. Love the car and the way it looks. She still turns heads today!!! My father eventually traded his LS for a SS and we love em.

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  Chevy equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Camille - August 17 - 11:49 am

  When I got the suv I was so excited could not wait to take it home. The only problem it was having was when it started it was making some kind of noise after 2 years then battery did go out on me and I did have to replace it the front tires have to be replace. I am not going to complain. But over all I love it.

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  Our Impala gets 28 mpg - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jayne - August 17 - 8:17 am

  I was afraid of buying another American car. Last Pontiac gave us loads of trouble. We bought the 2006 Impala sedan new and have been pleasantly surprised. Thus far, it has been as reliable as the Honda Accord I drove in the past. I dont understand why they are giving this car such low fuel mileage ratings. Our car has the V6 engine and is 4- door sedan. We average 28 mpg. Recently someone backed out of parking lot same time as me and our bumpers hit. It just scratched a little paint on my bumper. All things considered, I would buy another American car, especially the Impala.