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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  Awsome, Awsome, Awsome - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By AZ Carol - February 22 - 2:00 am

  This truck is fun to drive, has great power, and turns heads as you go down the road. Its not practical as a truck, but I dont think anyone who buys one is going to use it for hauling equipment. Its fun just like the corvette. The back has plenty of room for golf clubs and groceries. Its worth every penny. Chevy has a winner in the SSR.

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  stupidest car i ever bought - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By spc - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I ourchased a red SSR about three weeks ago and it has tot be one of the most regrettable things I have ever done. NASCAR truck series styling has drawn many smirks on the road, with a few people (probably rightfully so) calling me "redneck" and "hoosier". I am actually emabarassed to drive the car and have it up for sale. Luggage room is marginal and the ride is purely marginal. the styling is fleeting, at best!. DONT BUY

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  Satisfied - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Ron Myler - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive drove it over 5000 miles already & I really like it. Its comfortable & a lot of fun.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned. - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By ssrowner - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my T-Bird for the SSR. Not a truck, but more versatile than any other 2 seater. Great looks and performance. Its a blast! Take your time to shop around. Many dealers were asking 5K to 10K over MSRP. Just wait it out. Dont let try to sell you the "integrated side saddle storage". The top already locks.

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  No more Blazers for me - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By No More Blazers - February 22 - 2:00 am

  This SUV has been nothing but trouble. In addition to lots of small things (three horn relays, transmission seals bad at 40,000 miles, etc.) I just foudn out that I need a new transmission and oil coolant lines. I trading in this piece of junk for a foreign car. Ill never buy another Chevrolet again and will be sure to tell everyone I know about the poor quality and even poorer service that I received from Chevy.

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  When youre in-between cars - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Gutz Man - February 22 - 2:00 am

  If you buy this car with basic features inside and outside, but you surprisingly get 33 MPG on the highway, you overlook some of the small discomforts you experience in the ride. This has been the most reliable and inexpensive car Ive ever owned.

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  cav review - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By wow!!!cav - February 22 - 2:00 am

  ITs is just awesome

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  Love this truck - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Paul Watters - February 22 - 2:00 am

  This truck does alot for your money. Quiet ride, and great information center. Bose radio and on star Lay the back seat and haul long things.

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  One Word - WOW - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By fatrat - February 21 - 2:00 am

  There is Only one word to describe the SSR.... WOW. it is so fun to drive and forget about all the looks that you get while driving it. everyone looks and points. Once the dealer let me take it for a test ride i was hooked. i called and said i was coming and he had it outside with the top down and he threw the keys at me and said let go. that was all it took. i love it. its like driving a corvette pick up truck. i.ve never had so much fun driving a car in a long time. down here in florida im sure the top will always be down.

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  what a hoot - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By rockhopper - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Im sick of professional reviewers knocking the Tracker. The ZR2 is a GREAT vehicle. With its good ground clearance, low-range transfer case, skid plates, and tight turning radius, the ZR2 is fully off-road capable. Its also nimble and zippy around town and on the highway. Body lean is very slight for its high ground clearance and high profile (love that head room and great visibility!), and the ride is taut and firm. Noise levels are fine. The V-6 offers plenty of power, and gas mileage is decent (aboout 22 mpg). The Tracker is built well and is very reliable.