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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  love my avalanche - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By rollin on 20s - March 31 - 2:00 am

  this is a great truck for traveling very comfortable and smooth. it turns heads wherever we go. i would recommened it to everyone. i will definitly buy another one!!

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  Love Being a Suburban Owner! - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By page - March 31 - 2:00 am

  If you have big kids and travel a lot, you must purchase a Suburban! Me and my husband love the OnStar and XM Radio. It has an excellent ride! We have only had our Suburban 1 month, but we have put over 3,000 miles on it! It makes us just want to travel every chance we get.

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  gave up an Expedition and good choice - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dc chief - March 31 - 2:00 am

  I gave up a Expedition and I think I made a wise choice.

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  One of the best Chevys ever. - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Jim Cox - March 31 - 1:10 am

  The only thing I would add is all wheel drive and maybe a convertible top.This is one of the best Chevys Ive ever owned. Fit and finish is spectacular. Mileage is mid to high twenties.Fold down back seat and hatch back offfers room like a wagon. Really a great car.

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  have had very little problems. - 1992 Chevrolet Lumina
  By kenya - March 30 - 2:00 am

  have had very little problems with. except for the brakes and rotors and abs. runs well. a few dings

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  2004 s10 - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jimbo C. - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this 2004 s10 Crew Cab and i love it i test drove the new Colorado and they are nice but i dont think they compare to the s10. The s10 is much more comfortable and has a lot more torque. I dont know why Chevy is getting rid of it. All i buy is Chevy vehicles i think they are the best and nothing else even can come close.

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  2000hd2500extlb - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By bob 360 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  25004x4 ext cab 4door 6000 motor

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  Beware the Blazer - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By bill mydo - March 30 - 2:00 am

  In my effort to "Buy American" I got a brand new blazer - and been regretting it ever since. At only 70k has never gone more than several months without having to be in shop. Replaced a side mirror, alternator, two batteries, the front tri-boot, repairs for a turn signal switch that went on and off, leaking oil (hose), leaking coolant (pump) and leaking transmission fluid (various lines). Now the "service engine" light is on. Worst part is, Ive totally babied this vehicle - Ive taken it "off road" twice, park it in a garage at home and work, and followed manufacturers scheduled service/maintenance recommendations religiously. Vehicle is a piece of junk.

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  Horrible - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By brandil1973@aol.com - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This van has been one problem after another & I will never buy a CHEVY vehicle again. The company (based on three dealerships)has the worst customer service imagineable. The body integrity of this van is terrible. We have had problems with the doors, headliner and outside trim. It has had electrical problems. We have taken it back to Chevy numerous times and the work is terrible, even when the general manager promises that he will personally "take care of it." All I know is that I do not want this van 1 minute after the warranty runs out.

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  never again - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By arula219 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  My blazer was fine for a year except for bad gas mileage (expected due to being SUV). Then at 53000 miles my transmission went out and I had a recall on some electrical stuff (blinkers, etc.).