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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  Awesome - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By pestamistic - February 19 - 2:00 am

  A fast sporty elegant piece of machinery that will amaze you every chance it can. Go ahead and push it it will let you know what you are in for.

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  Unsafe - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By AgMan - February 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is not safe. Rolled it when I hit a slick place in the road. Speed was only 35 MPH. Didnt get hurt, but could have.

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  Good SUV - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By JBL44 - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought this Tahoe used in 2001 with about 40K miles on it. Solid body. Great from hauling boats and trailers with its 5.7L V8. Very comfortable on the long trip. Capible of way over 100K miles. Only problems are the random times it doesnt start- 3 times. Had to replace batteries, brakes, and alternators many times.

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  Super Silverado! - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lung doc - February 18 - 12:46 pm

  Traded in my 03 Honda Pilot. Great vehicle but wanted more capability for hunting, fishing, outdoor stuff. Considered F150. Test drove my LT Z71 and was hooked. Comfortable ride on road and great so far doing some light off-road (I plan to challenge it more later). Powerful engine with great low end torque and high end horsepower. At 80 mph only 2,000 RPM. Rated for 21 MPG on highway which is actually higher than my Pilot. So far I am averaging 17 MPG in mixed driving. I anticipate this will improve some with time.

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  Outstanding - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By deputydoug - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Its a great vehicle.. long overdue

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  I like it - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gtc - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I was driving a vic for work and i liked that car, but then i got the cevy and i love it. And talk about fast! The only problem with the car was the headlights, but thats due to it being a police car and having all the goodies in it. Im so happy i get to take it home with me every night. And best thing about it is no one knows its a police car. Forget ford, im stickin with the cevy.

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  a good truck - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By mr. robinson - February 18 - 2:00 am

  i have had a few problems but i like the truck . and it does a good job moving my gear. i play music for a living. the van works well for me. i can move people or gear to a job.

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  Lostlarge - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By not chevy - February 18 - 2:00 am

  after 18 months the entire front and rear suspension needed replaced. We took a month to decide to get rid of it and that month cost us $900 trade in value. Who can efford to run one of these?

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  Cool SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Organist - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for only a month, but it is a pleasure to drive. I traded a Cadillac in on it and Im STILL satisfied 100%. The paint is candy-apple red, the same as my Cad and is a beautiful car!

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  CHEVY........MAYBE - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Annette Carey - February 18 - 2:00 am

  1999 - Had problems in the beginning....new brakes, new suspension and problems with the fuel pump. Had the extended warranty so no problem. Got fixed no charge. The paint job is one to be improved. Brush up against and scratch. Over all, since all problems were fixed runs like a champ. Had for 5 years and now giving to my teenage son. Always kept maintenace up....a good thing. Hopefully...things have improved and would purchase again if so.