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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  Lemon, Lemon, Lemon - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jmnjr - June 16 - 4:06 pm

  Chevrolet has no quality in this truck. Intermediate shaft changed 3 times. Gear assembly changed 5 times, power steering pump changed twice. Front end sounds like it is getting ready to fall off. Tires had to replaced at 15,000 miles due to terrible front end.

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  Top-of-the Line - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Manitouchuck - June 16 - 8:36 am

  Drove a 93 Toyota 4x4 Ext. cab I bought new for 15 years (200k) & loved it. Was planning on a new Tundra, researched all the 1500s & Silverado is hands down the best. 5600 miles since 4/7/08, runs like a fine watch, quiet and smooth. If I take it easy 17-18 mpg in city with some freeway, 20-22 on the hwy on the DIC. You can drop 1-1.5 mpg off the DIC mileage & be close. If you get into the torque, goodbye mileage. You can be a hyper-miler if you watch the DIC, learn when to coast on your daily drives, and save your brakes & dollars. I dont have any major complaints, it is as reviewed by many here. I have Z71, wanted Z85 w/6-spd tran. but they ship mostly Z71 on lot. Ill drive it 15+ & like it!

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  WHAT A GENERAL MOTORS LEMON.... - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By M WITKOWSKI - June 16 - 2:00 am

  HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR.AVERAGE HIGHWAY MILE.3.4 LITER MOTOR HEAD BOLTS BROKE,WITH NO LOW COOLANT ALARM/INDICATION.MOTOR COOKED FROM INSIDE OUT.G.M HAS SOME SERIOUS ENG.ISSUES WITH THIS 60 DEGREE 1sT GEN.V 6 MOTOR.1sT AND LAST G.M PRODUCT I WILL BUY.

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  Never own another Blazer - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Blind sided - June 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Blazer used,with only 34,000 miles on it. I have had nothing but trouble with it from the very start. At 75,000 miles, my transmission went out,Cost to replace $1,600. My wipers front and rear quit working.Cost to fix $300.00. The front wipers quit working during a storm, almost causeing an accident, as I could not see. Most recently, my catoletic converter went out, causing me to be stranded on the turnpike with a small child in the dark. Cost $800.00. I have replace the front wheel bearings every year since Ive owned the Blazer.My A/C quit working, as the compressor has a leak. Cost$600.00 to repair. 4-sale 4 what ever I can get out of it.

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  2001 Chevy Tahoe Z71 - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bpgerl - June 16 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a vehicle that I have wanted for a while and now that I own it I am more than satisfied with it. It is a very comfortable ride and exterior look of the vehicle are very sharp. I like the Z71 package because it makes it a more sporty looking SUV than the regular Tahoe LS/LT. Mechanically this vehicle is very sound and its performance is top of the line. I plan on going off roading a little bit and I know this will be the right vehicle for me. So I recommend a Tahoe, but I prefer the Z71 over the others with all the options. I love this vehicle and plan on keeping it for a very long time.

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  Trailblazer has Blind Spots - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By karenfromde - June 16 - 2:00 am

  I love driving my Trailblazer. It is very comfortable. However, it has a definite blind spot at the rear. If you turn off the radio, the noise level from the outside is noticeable. I have had to replace rear brake/taillights repeatedly and now the a/c fan isnt working unless I put it on #4. Little things, but annoying nonetheless. Gas guzzler at times. Thinking about selling it at this point.

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  i love it - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Walter Knadler - June 15 - 9:55 pm

  I got it new in 2005, changed all fluids after 5 years, had new brakes because of lack of use......its my 3rd vehicle but I love it.....45,000 miles on it....... wont hold a big load....but the ride is great........... towing is ok..........but its really just a great riding all around vehicle...............only real complaint is the the brakes a very soft pedal action......I asked the dealer and they said that was they way it is.........they work good but I think soft.......this is my 3 avalanche and hope to keep it forever.....i am 70 years old.....its just a great all around vehicle.....

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  Steady as she goes... - 1995 Chevrolet Corsica
  By ValrieAnnie - June 15 - 2:00 am

  this car was a rental before I bought it with 29,000 miles. it now has 133,000+ miles. I have the 4 liter and agree that it is a "dog". i have had some repairs, but the car keeps going. I change the oil every 3,000 miles. It sits outside all winter and only has a small area of rust by the front passenger door. And it starts every time. Hopefully I will get a couple more years out of it. I like it and would buy another if they still made Corsicas.

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  TAKES A LICKIN - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By autotek - June 15 - 2:00 am

  Loved this van when it first came out. I work on them at work{rent-a-car} and they are very reliable and can take a ton of beating. If you have a family this is the vehicle for you.

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  Watch the gas gage - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By jhenry - June 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought a used Impala after driving one for my company car. Both the company car and my car had gas gage problems after 50,000 miles. It is a great car (very reliable) except for the gage.