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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  A BIG truck in a SMALL body....... win win - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By simcha - March 13 - 10:14 am

  Firstly, do your self a favor and get the beefier V6 3.6 engine and tow package. Its only a couple hundred dollars more and it brings the truck from being a mild mannered "daily commuter" with some capability, to a truck that that will give many half-ton pickups a run for their money. There is nothing more embarrassing than when I smoke these fully loaded $35,000+ Z71 Chevy Colorados on highway with my $25,000+ work truck because I got the V6 and they dont. The extended cab versions are good for fitting extra passengers in a pinch but your friends will thank you for getting the crew cab option especially if your friends are large. This truck was engineered almost perfectly. The interior is tough and durable. There are a lot of hard plastics inside (at least in my truck) but they do not lend themselves to a cheap feeling, rather more of a durable feeling. Everything inside the truck feels hard and durable with no delicate nobs or buttons which is a huge plus for me. Everything feels sturdy as it should. The cabins interior has a water resistant quality with rubber buttons and nobs that gives one the impression that the trucks electronics would be fine even if the inside got wet. The acceleration for the truck is quite quick but the automatic transmission is a little....lazy. It doesnt seem to want to kick the tranny into high gear unless you really put you foot through it. This truck is most at home cruising on the highway and it is not interested in beating other motorists off the line; even though it certainly can. This is partially a good thing because it encourages the aggressive driver to ease up a little and saves on MPG. The trick to going fast (and then some) with this truck is to shift into manual mode and down shift. Getting in and out of traffic with this truck is a breeze. This truck can tow with the best of them but it can also (dare I say it) weave in and out of traffic in ways that larger trucks wouldnt dare. Every 3.6L Chevy Colorado truck owner knows that they are own something very special. The small attention to detail is what makes this truck an outstanding choice for mid-sized truck buyers. This truck brings legitimacy to the mid-sized truck segment and has set the bar for what a Mid sized truck means. Midsized trucks will no longer be known as trucks whose sole purpose is to haul tools and ladders,they are now a serious option for truck drivers looking to do real work. Whats great about this truck is its versatility. It can be used to tow an RV, plow snow, climb a hill, haul cement, go on a date, and race another truck all in one day! The Chevy Colorado really can do it all. This truck also gives you a great deal of confidence when you ride it and when you use it. Its hard to feel Whether you want a truck for a daily commuter or to do serous work this truck is really the best of both worlds.

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  98 S-10 Ext Cab Pickup - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By hoch2820 - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Original truck was 1.06 inches lower on left side. After much stalling, and finally arbitration, GM replaced w/truck that was 0.8 inches lower! Performance OK. Engine much smoother than 92. Brake problems persist. Had to replace pads & turn front rotors at 19,400 miles, at my own expense. Construction somewhat shoddy (poor fitup in sheet metal on roof).

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  What A Ride - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Twelve_v_man - March 13 - 2:00 am

  I just picked up my Slingshot Yellow SSR today and have already driven over 100 miles. I cant wait to get thru the break in period so I can drive it the way it is meant to be driven

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  solid chevy - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By leec - March 13 - 2:00 am

  it is a very reliable car but for big men like me it a little small overall it is super

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  I love my truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By allan - March 12 - 7:16 pm

  Had my calorado for 2 months now. Excellent little truck with plenty of power. Rides a little stiff. Sharp looking ride though. Interior is cheap looking, but otherwise an all around nice truck. No regrets, yet!! Try one, I think you,ll like it!

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  5.0 Litre Eater - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By roddiekarate - March 12 - 6:33 pm

  This is my second Monte Carlo. My first was a 1999 Z-34 with a Series II 3800 engine. At the time it was a very quick car, but increasing the horsepower by over 100 was quite a change to say the least. The torque off the line is startling, but when you learn to control it (or upgrade your tires), a new 5.0 Litre Mustang has a scrap on his hands. Pairing two drivers of similar skill, it can go either way. I love getting a red light next to a teenager in his/her sports car. I live in calgary so that usually means a Beamer, an Audi, or a Mustang. On dry pavement, enjoy my exhaust. Also, Challengers and Chargers should take notice pretty quickly.

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  S 10 are too avg. - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By Saint79 - March 12 - 2:00 am

  The truck is extremely boring! The engine lacked power, the stereo lacked umph, and I just dont like the way the look.

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  Built well, but Beware... - 1990 Chevrolet Caprice
  By 87classic - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car off an older uncle in my family who pampered this car and rarely drove it. As of this date it has only 180000KMs and the problems with it are increasing by the day. BEWARE! i have the 307 W/OD engine in this car, it gets a mere 12MPG (THATS RIGHT!) and sucks down oil like you wouldnt believe. I take VERY good care of this car and the engine just seems to want to quit on me. We think its the valve guide seals, or the carburetor float is letting in too much gas and diluting the oil, or possible the piston rings are gone...however its not worth my $$ to get it fixed ($700-1200 job)

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  Great Car - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By guff - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Good safety record.

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  wish Id bought a Toyota - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dissapointed dave - March 12 - 2:00 am

  One of the poorest vehicle buys I have made: Brakes are terrible, replaced engine due to remote oil filter failure. Electrical problems plauge it. 15 mpg is nothing to write home about. Sways side to side too much. Interior rattles due to poor fit & finish. Plastic trim on exterior falling apart, door hinges broke on driver and passenger side. CD player died. Would not recommend to others.