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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  2004 Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By chancy - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Great power and ride. After compareing the big three it was evident that there was no compare. It was the winner by far. Ford looks so plain and out dated compared and Dodge could not hold there resale value if they had to. It was very easy for me to go with the Chevy.

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  First Chevrolet...Happy Customer - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By litework - April 19 - 2:00 am

  The truck has a powerful engine with just enough noise to let you know youre driving a truck. Suspension and interior features provides the driver and passenger with a cozy ride. The Silverado has a lot of options that are fun and functional. All in all, a great truck.

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  Very nice - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Scortch - April 19 - 12:26 am

  After the HHR, this thing is like 100 times better. It rides smooth as silk. The shifting is really smooth. It has a really nice pickup and just plain comfortable to drive around in. One of the best cars I have had.

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  Low Power Poor Fuel Mileage - 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By blue1966 - April 18 - 5:00 pm

  I love this truck except for the low end power and fuel mileage.This truck has 305 hp,but it has a torque management system on it.It does not let you have any low end power.After 30 mph it runs great.Dont take any chances and pull out in front of anyone or pull a boat up a steep boat ramp,it want pull it.I only get 13 mpg it is suppose to get 17 to 23 mph.This truck only has 7500 miles on it.Really if i new about the lack of power and bad mileage i would have bought a ford.I dont appreciate gm dictating the power i use on take off.

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  91 green corsica - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Green91 - April 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought my corsica used in 1992. My mechanic has put on new oil seal, maniforld gasket, rear brake cylindar, new water pump, and a few minor things. I have had this car maintenanced on a regular basis oil, coolant, plugs etc. It has been a good car. But it is old and I just bought a new minivan. If you need a good used car try this one. I think I will sell mine out right because I did not trade it in.

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  Chers toy - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By cherbear - April 18 - 2:00 am

  I love my Tracker! Its fun to drive and the 4x4 is great in the New York snow.Its design makes seeing everything easy.The Tracker is also very reasonably priced.Im very happy with my Tracker!

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  Built Like a Crock - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By LuigiGiovanni - April 18 - 2:00 am

  I had a 96 Blazer. The truck ran fine until the warranty ran out. Don’t purchase this vehicle if you’re the kind of consumer that wish to keep this truck for more than 5 years. You better off trading it in after that, than faced with all the repair bills you can expect.

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  2003 "Silver Star" - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Janet L. Kraus - April 18 - 2:00 am

  My van is "trailer towing" equipped and Ive found its performance to be exceptional. Highway mileage without my boat is 23+ mpg with my boat its 21+ mpg. Its tops for comfort, reliability and just plain fun to drive.

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  01 suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By bugs - April 18 - 2:00 am

  We love it we have a 99 tahoe also and like it but this drives abit smoother and the styling is more modern.We feel very safe and have not problems. We will by another when decide it is time to trade it in!!

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  Word to the wise, buy something else! - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Spock2001 - April 18 - 2:00 am

  This is the second Chevy Blazer Ive owned, and, most definitely, the last. The quality of this product leaves much to be desired. Fortunately, I have not had to have in for too many repairs - one bad switch, which was a recall, and leaky oil cooling lines. Why does it seem that all Chevys of the same make and model have the same issues over and over again? It does not seem stable or safe. The interior components are cheap and flimsy. The engine, although powerful, is extremely inefficient! They say it gets 17 MPG average, 21 MPG highway. That is an outright lie! Im lucky if I get 14 AVG! This will definitely be the LAST American car I purchase.