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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  Sneroll - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By sneroll - December 16 - 2:00 am

  An extremely reliable car, with lots of space for both passanges and cargo. Very versatile and easy to drive despite size.

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  2001 Blazer 4WD LT - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RDTMBA - December 16 - 2:00 am

  2nd Blazer owned, have had problems w/ air conditioning losing coolant, dealer fixed it 3 times still hasnt found leak but has always done it for free since problem 1st occurred 1 month after buying. No other problems to report. Would buy again but seems as if it is being phased out. Really like the fact that back seats fold down flat. No other SUVs seem to have this feature.

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  My Best Car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Sheryl White - December 15 - 4:46 pm

  I have never driven a better vehicle. It is easy to handle and takes curves great. It looks fantastic and makes me feel young again. The intel center provides great information, especially the oil sensor. No more need for sticker reminders on my windsheild.

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  mixed review - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jim1243567 - December 15 - 2:00 am

  overall truck has been dependable. Looks good, body has held up well. v-6 has plenty of power. However, 4wd not working right out of showroom. I found out in snow storm. Trans went at 36437 miles, thats right 437 miles out of warranty. Caused by faulty switch for 4wd. Turning radius is very poor for such a small truck. Stepside box is too narrow, you cant fit a sheet of plywood in it. 3rd door rattles. Jump seat is useless.

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  WB edition - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By mjlong - December 15 - 2:00 am

  We have been very please with our Warner Bros. edition. This is our second Chevrolet venture purchase. It has been very reliable and fun to drive!

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  Much better than Explorer - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Mikey1477 - December 15 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a 1997 Explorer LTD that was absolutely loaded. I didnt get as many options on the Tahoe, but what a difference in ride, acceleration, handling, etc. I always felt out of control in the Explorer, but the Tahoe sticks to the road like glue. I wish Chevy would stop putting cheap parts into $40,000 vehicles though. The interior really leaves something to be desired, and I have had 2 window motors go out in 2 1/2 years. They do a great job on engines/transmissions, but seem to treat everything else as an afterthought.

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  i love vettes - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By srvlives90 - December 15 - 2:00 am

  after owning the corvette z06 for a little over a year now, i have come to realize why so many people flock to this car. to say it is high performance would be underestimating the cars potential. to say it is only over the top would be a joke and an insult to the car itself. i love this car, it accellerates, handles, and brakes luike a dream. buy one if you get a chance.

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  Very Impressed - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By riftboy - December 14 - 4:30 pm

  Ive only had it about a week now, but I am very impressed by the performance and handling of this car. It is well worth the price at only $13,500.

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  Comfort and Joy - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By RHart - December 14 - 10:36 am

  The Corvette design team has outdone themselves again! This machine is a technological marvel and work of art. Sitting inside my C6 Z51 6-Spd beast makes me feel like a king. This is my second vette, the first was a 2000 C5 Z51 6-Spd. The power is considerably stronger, partly due to the lower bottom gears for off-the-line torque. I find I need to re-learn accelerator control to keep the wheels from breaking free in both 1st and 2nd. The engine remains quiet until pouring on the power and then exhibits a more refined growl than the C5. The car is much quieter, they solved the window wind noise problem at highway speeds. Ran out of words so suffice it to say: Corvette Rules!

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  Stay Away From This Vehicle!!! - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ssiga - December 14 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is possessed! The windows open, the lumbar in the seats change, and the clock changes time at will. We rarely drive this vehicle due to its unreliability, but since its leased, were stuck with it. The dealership has done numerous repairs, but now that our 3 year warranty is over, were on our own with the same issues, even though the vehicle only has about 32,000. Look at the Tahoes as you drive down the highway notice how many new vehicles have light bulbs burned out? Not a well made vehicle Chevy should be ashamed!