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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  Z-85 - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dale - January 1 - 8:53 pm

  What a truck - the Z-85 with 20" chrome wheels really sets off the dark maroon color.

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  My big beast - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Ginoclock - January 1 - 8:13 am

  Bought new to tow 5th wheel. 6.0 liter gas engine/auto tranny/cloth interior. Getting 14mpg around town (speeds range from 60mph to 30 mph, stop and go) Have not had an unladen trip on the highway yet so I dont know the mileage there but will by the end of July - Im hoping for 18mpg. Paint is thin and scratches very easily - a big disappointment for me. Interior is dated; exterior is boxy, reliability has been good but I only have 6k on the the beast. Build quality is average. Ride is stiff even at 50psi in the tires. It does have power! Lookout boys, its gonna unwind!

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  Truck/Car - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By the wolf - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I am very happy with my truck, it is a fine looking vehicle, truck/car. I can haul the items that I couldnt in my other car. I have plenty of room to take up to 4-large people with me.It has plenty of power, with 4-wd. Check it out at your local Chevy dealer.

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  Chevy start over - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By greeneyes - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I like the look of the Chevy Blazer. It handle well. My problems with it is gas performance and get up and go power. Its lacking.

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  My 1st Chevy Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By G. Montes - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Just want to say how pleased I am with my 2003 Chevy Tahoe. I purchased it used with 4800 miles on it. It looked brand new though. Its a pleasure to drive and the kids love it. My wife is afraid to drive it coz its just so big... Guess its all mine. Living in California where driving anywhere can take hours, now I dont mind the wait!

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  Z85 LS Chevy 4x4 5 cylinder 5 speed 3.73 Gears - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Josh - December 31 - 10:10 pm

  I traded in an 2002 TRD off road 4x4 V6 5 speed extended cab Toyota Tacoma for my Chevy Colorado last year. I must say that Im satisfied with this truck. I get better miles to the gallon than the V6 Tacoma did, plus my turning radius is much tighter than before because Im running a regular cab now, instead of extended cab. I replaced the stock factory tires that came with the truck for some 31x10.50-15 mudsters. Doing the tire switch solved most of the ground clearance problems I was having when off roading in the forest. My only problems with the truck so far have been: a rough idle engine miss for a few minutes during cold starts. This happened about 3 times during the cold winter months.

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  Love It! - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Leah - December 31 - 9:56 pm

  I like this sleekness of this car. the interior of the car is very spacious. it handles very well and it is good in the snow.

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  THE STRAIGHT DOPE - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By andrew mascia - December 31 - 4:07 am

  Check with Edmunds first_ visit 3 dealers if possible_test drive on different types of roads_walk out if price is not right.

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  Great priced midsized SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By speedracer54410 - December 31 - 2:00 am

  the blazer is a relyable suv that wont breat your wallet also

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  Loving My Nox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By LuvMyNox - December 30 - 8:53 pm

  I traded in my Blazer for the Equinox. Havent had any problems whatsoever. Its so much fun to drive, and it has great features for the price I paid. Im always getting stopped to ask how I like my Equinox., and I always say, its the best car Ive ever had.