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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  2003 tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By tahoe lover - June 7 - 2:00 am

  The overall experience of owning my tahoe has been great. The only problem I have had is the battery keeps going bad. It is very comfy and I love the DVD player and XM radio. I would buy another tahoe in the future.

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  my impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By richard Livingston - June 7 - 2:00 am

  great brakes fit and finish well above average

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  Awesome!! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By GSmith6204 - June 7 - 2:00 am

  My first SUV....what can I say, I love it!!

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  so-so - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By scottbelanger - June 7 - 2:00 am

  This vhicle had major electrical problems in the first six months it was in six times and about nine times to date. Fuel economy is not that great. I have one positive, It is very comfortable to drive. I wont buy another one.

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  Great car when it works - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By tkebp1333 - June 6 - 4:33 am

  I love everything about this car when it works...the USB port has an error (always say AUX out with 2 different ipods and cords, it has been in the shop 4 times (I only have 7400 miles on it) because GM didnt get all of the metallic dust out of the engine from the casting. CAM Sensors cleaned, then replaced (x2), then CAM actuators replaced. As I said it looks darn good, gets great gas mileage and is decently peppy for a 4 cylinder. I still sort of recommend it, but I am embarrassed that this car stalled and bucked at red lights (almost pushed me through a few times) as much as it did. I mean embarrassed as in this is an American made car and we need to step our game up.

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  I cant believe it is a Chevy - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Ken - June 5 - 2:13 pm

  I am amazed at the way this truck handles and the gas mileage. In city rual driving I get 18+ to the gallon. Comfort is excellent and quietness is a welcome relief for a truck. Just got out of a 2005 Tacoma and my legs and back love the Tahoe.

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  Car Awful - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By PStark - June 5 - 10:00 am

  We loved the car when we bought it. It had just 11,000 miles. We have had nothing but problems with it. Fist the check engine light comes on and nothing works. Turned it off and back on and everything was ok. Next the heater and air would work sometimes and the not. Thant quit. We sprung 2 leaks in the Power Steering line, and the transmission will stall and then lunge forward. Contacted Chevrolet and that was the biggest joke. Recall on 2006 and 2007 Monte Carlos for the Power Steering leakage, but not 2007. Technical Service Bulletin on the Transmission, which could cause a serious accident, but nothing on the 2007. Dealer said it was a crimped line. Get real.

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  Ugly but very good for an American car - 1993 Chevrolet Corsica
  By BigSAC - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car from a Rental Agency after 1 year and 25000 miles. Its always been a little loud around the manifold. This car has been solid for 200K miles. The 3.1 V6 engine is a great engine. Good combination of pick- up and gas milage. The interior is very comfortable for its size/class. The car is butt-ugly (white and square) so you wont get alot of respect amongst your peers. There were frequent break-jobs and a couple of wheel bearing problems over the 10 years, but maintenance costs were lower than most domestic cars.

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  1998 DIESEL Suburban - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By CSpectre - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Say what you want about SUVs.. Bought this 1998 Suburban Diesel.. love it.. 20mpg city 24 mpg hwy.. 6.5 turbo diesel is the way to go.. will buy another paid 1.58 for fuel 6/04

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  Gonna Drive this Until it Dies - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Derrick G - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I currently have just over 135,000 miles on this car and I bought it brand new. I have had no problems. (Just a couple of recalls that were taken care very quickly.) I still get over 30 miles per gallon. Its a little rough on the inside when compared to other vehicles, but it gets the job done.