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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  2007 Silverado 2500 HD - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By 66elcamino - January 9 - 6:33 pm

  Very poor performance, Everytime brakes applied, transmission shifted into neutral, truck would then rev up and jerk when you accelerated. Drivers side power window made terrible squealing sound as it went up or down. The speed control was disgusting. Couldnt adjust from downhill to uphill fast enough and would kick-out. Ive had chevy trucks for 40+ years and lots of good ones, but this one was terrible. Chevy and the dealers didnt seem to care. Considering the cost of these trucks, they should be better

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  I saw a Dodge SRT10 in the Ditch! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Stunts - January 9 - 2:13 pm

  This is a great truck. I hope they continue to make it because I want a new one every 3 years. I chose the SS because of the All Wheel Drive and Extended Cab. Sure a Dodge SRT10 maybe faster at the top end but not off the line. My AWD hooks up and Im out of there while the Dodge sits and spins. And lets see the Dodge forge snow and ice! Not gonna happen. And after I beat the snow storm and make it to town, I can throw plenty of food and beer behind the seats (Extended Cab!) and still get up to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The exhaust note is phenomenal. The transmission shifts as smooth as the one in my Mercedes E420. This truck rocks!

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  I LOVE my Maxx! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By HeatherJ - January 9 - 7:20 am

  I bought my Maxx LT used with almost 90,000 miles on it. I knew I wanted this car, & I researched it & found a great deal at a local car lot. Since buying it I have had very little trouble. Replaced the thermostat within the first few months & I had to replace something with the AC & it was over $500, but that is it! Sometimes the hatch wont open, but I have figured out a few tricks to get it to work. I take my car camping, it is used for road trips, I drive in the snow- I can do anything! Everyone always loves my car once they have been it. My best friend went & bought a Maxx too- but hers is newer than mine and a LS. She likes my 04 LT Maxx better!

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  This truck is the worst! - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By ozonewht - January 9 - 2:00 am

  I drive the 4cyl. version. I bought this truck brand new. I have had nothing but problems. The CD player has been replaced twice, the radiator replaced, windshield wipers were defective, the seatbelts were defective, Im on my 3rd AC compressor, the alarm was defective,the door handle fell out of the door-had to replaced, battery has had to be replaced 4 times- truck wouldnt start when I had to go to work, the gas gauge broke after 3 years, rearview mirror fell off. 3rd door rattles. Seats wore out after 2 years.I bought a extended warranty up 75000 miles, but things really needed to be replaced after 80000 miles.

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  Nice little mini-bus - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Daddylope - January 9 - 2:00 am

  Much quieter ride than my Chrysler Mini- Van. I drove it from coast to coast and experienced no problems great fuel economy. Definitely like the load leveling suspension when loaded down.

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  SSR lovers - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By hotdhs - January 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought a Tundra pickup 2 months ago and I bought a SSR today. Not because I need another car but because I need a SSR. Driving home 120 miles after purchase probably cured all my adult onset ds. Not for everyone, may be great for business promotional campaign. Wait patiently until you find a dealer who will sell it to you for MSRP or less. Too many gouging dealers out there.

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  My ZR2 - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By nnaylor - January 9 - 2:00 am

  Great looking, strong engine, and I love the fact that its not a grocery- getter urban SUV. Its the real deal. Real 4x4, ground clearence, 2 door, 5 speed manual...not a family vehicle, but a perfect vehicle for the 20-something single outdoor enthusiast. Good performance on and off road. HOWEVER...atrocious interior build quality, possibly the worst Ive ever seen. No wonder so many people buy Japanese

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  Learned My Lesson - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MaggieMae - January 9 - 2:00 am

  After owning it for less than a year the a/c switch would not stay on. Luckily that was covered by the warranty. May2003- the head gasket seal blew - goodbye $900! July 2003- the turn signals quit working and the fan would only blow on settings 3, 4, and 5. Bye, bye another $300. January 2004-the radiator cracked and leaked onto the belt, ADIOS to a grand! This doesnt even include the 3 sets of brakes and new rotors that Ive put on the car. I cant afford to live this way! $2200 is seven months is too much to pay for a car that is only worth twice that. Next time Im buying a Honda!

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  avalanche strong truck - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By alaskan - January 9 - 2:00 am

  good truck. Dependability on all terrain.good looking truck with nice style. for me itsthe best that chev. Truck I ever drove.

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  my z06 - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Judy & Lorenzo - January 9 - 2:00 am

  everything a sports car should be! when a car with a cost of less than 50K out performs 100K + cars it is truly satisfying! 400HP+ & 22/28 mpg & no gas guzzler tax, even the green community has little to complain about.I use this car to compete on a club level & out of the box its outstanding A++ Chevrolet!!!!