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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  Almost Perfect - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By nonebad - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Its great off-road, it tows my utility trailer loaded with firewood, it has ample room with the rear seats folded down, and it NEVER breaks. Its even comfortable on long trips.

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  great car!! - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By dogloverMom and five - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Just recently sold to my best friends mother, so it would stay in the family. Very good car, always started right up even sitting in frigid Indiana winters outside all night. Never had any problems besides very minor issues.Hate to get rid of it, but got a new SUV.This car got us back and forth on several vacations, and drove great on ice and snow.

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  JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS......... - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By miranda - February 16 - 2:00 am

  VEHICAL, IS GREAT!!! HANDLES AND RIDES WELL.THE ONLY THING I WOULD COMMENT ON IS THE QUALITY OF INTERIOR FEATURES. CENTER CONSOLE CAVED IN WHEN IT WAS LEANED ON.CARPETING UNDER DRIVERS FEET ERODED.......THEY REALLY NEED TO RECONSIDER THAT. ITS A TRUCK!I EXPECT TOUGHER QUALITY.......

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  Glad to be rid of it. - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jh98 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Not much good to say about this vehicle. Had to replace the seat recliner handles (twice), thermostat, and wiper motor. Brakes are terrible and lock up for no reason. Radiator and oil leaks have also been a problem. By far the cheapest interior Ive seen in any vehicle. Traded it in before having to spend more cash on repairs.

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  Venture Adventure - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Mel Meyers - February 16 - 2:00 am

  This 2004 Vent is my 2nd Venture. 1999 was the first. Traded at 73K miles I found it to be a secure, dependable mini with economy and reasonably reliable. I used the 99 for both business and pleasure and it performed well. Now 5years later, with Onstar and DVD, and leather we lookforeward to enjoying this one in our real retirement years. It has earned its way.

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  Enjoying my Blazer! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Dove - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I am totally enjoying this SUV. Its a little rougher ride than my Toyota Avalon XLS, but rides more like a true truck. Fun to drive! Just enough room for two growing kids. GREAT IN THE SNOW!! A little noisy on the freeways. Not overwhelming for a first time SUV owner. Overall, very please with the Blazer.

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  Good Vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By AZBiker - February 16 - 2:00 am

  So far, so good. No major issues and only a couple of minor ones. The Goodyear tires dont do it justice. Been through a couple already. Passenger tires on an off-road machine?

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  Need a few things - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Ken - February 15 - 12:03 pm

  Saw a few reviews and my 09 2500HD Z71 Duramax came with the running boards, but a spray in Box Liner would have been great. Had a 01 2500HD with the duramax and loved the truck, had lots of power, hated the problem with the injectors. (3 sets in 200,000 Km) at $5400 a set it really is a ripoff. (why I traded it in was a toss up between a dodge and the Chevy) At least on the 09 injectors are easier to get at on the new Chevy. would have liked more power, the 01 seemed to have more get up and go. The only problem that I have heard from a friend that has a 09 is the air filter sucking in moisture and freezing in cold weather, will wait to see of this one does the same thing.

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  Good look, horrible car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By xsnrg - February 15 - 6:56 am

  I have to say that I love the look of this car and have received numerous compliments on it. Unfortunately the cost and hassle of all the problems outweigh the look. Horrible car in terms of service standards. Have had nothing but continual problems, so much so that I will never buy GM again.

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  who needs an import - 1994 Chevrolet Beretta
  By zacky_p - February 15 - 2:00 am

  This car has given me no problems yet and has gone above and beyond what i expected of it. This is quick little car that is a lot of fun to drive around curvy and twisty road.