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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  Solid Performer - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By onychomycosis - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought my first one as soon as they came out here in FL. Liked it a lot and liked a black one with all the new 03 toys and traded for it. This is luxury and truck combined. Just wish it ran on hydrogen instead of gas.

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  Ryan - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ryan B - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I think that the 95 s-10 is an awsome truck with much power i will admit i race mine and if you want something that gets up and goes here it is

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  99 Silver Corvette Convt. - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By coutchem - February 25 - 2:00 am

  6 speed transmission had to be rebuilt at 30,000 miles. Fog lights burn out. Couple of recall problems. Smooth ride and goes like a rocket when you want to. Can do 120 +++, but still get 30 mpg on the highway. Drove over 12,000 in two months and enjoyed the ride and performance. Great sports car and turns heads.

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  ZR2 is Ok - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By TJR - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I wanted something for daily, in-town commute and occasional 4WD for snow days in Michigan. The ZR2 Tracker has been great! I was a Toyota owner, but opted for the Tracker after failing to find a comparably priced RAV. Very reliable minimal maintenance expenses. Rear end collision repair reasonable and damage resistant. Cons are low end gas mileage, no intermittent rear wiper, and no arm rest. Not bad! And I bought my used as a lease return.

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  2004 blazer - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Justen - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Blazer has owned up to my expectation in a suv,However the backseats are very uncomfortable.

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  Malibu gives you excellent value - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By gpa - February 25 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent value. Reliable "appliance" -- starts-goes-stops, on demand, all the time, safely. Just what we need...

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  Versatility&Comfort! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By GullieZ71 - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Z71 leather package when they first came to the market. 30,000 miles later I have to say that the more I drive it the more I like it. Wife loves the comfy heated seats more than her Mercedes. I love the smooth ride and the fact that I can pull a horse trailer, put hay, feed, tack in the back but still feel like i am driving a Caddy.

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  MY Review - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Max - February 24 - 10:50 pm

  Transmission has unusual shifts when compromising steep graded hills. Horsepower lacks muscle. Nice car for a Sunday drive on a flat road. Good looking exterior and comfort inside is also good.

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  Happy Driver/Twice Metro Owner - 2000 Chevrolet Metro
  By soybock - February 24 - 2:00 am

  1st metro was a 97 w/ 49k. Drove it to 100k, NEVER a problem, not one! A lady smashed into the side of me at full speed, outside driver side door was completely mangled and buckled in, but the inside looked like nothing had happened (great car construction). I was amazed, walked away without a scratch. Car even still ran! Once insurance co settled purchased a 2000 w/ 34k. Have been driving it for 8 months, love these cars!

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  never again - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By dave 1 - February 24 - 2:00 am

  just replace manifold gaskets again.$1100. did it last year too.$834. Thank god for the Hertz extended warranty. Problem after problem. The ignition key "chip" went bad last year...towing and electrical investigation...$379 turn signal shot $201 Im buying a Honda Civic next.