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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  Great Looks, Comfort, Safety and Fun - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Kori - December 12 - 12:30 am

  My wife and I have been shopping to trade our Lexus RX300 in for a full size SUV and have fallen in love with the Tahoe. We purchased a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ with all the bells and whistles. It has Navigation/Dvd/power lift gate/ and all the extras that comes with the Tahoe LTZ. We are extremely impressed with the vehicle and love it greatly! If you are looking for a full luxury vehicle with amenities, there is no need to purchase a Lexus or other, go with the Tahoe. Chevy has impressed me with the engineering of the interior as well as the smoothness of the ride.

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  Everything I hoped for - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By JH - December 11 - 10:00 am

  After many hours of research on different small SUVs, we chose the 2011 Equinox. Weve had the Nox a little over a month and its everything I hoped it would be. Mocha Steel/Brownstone Leather is a great combo. Build quality is better than I expected. Once I understood that this SUV is not a Corvette, I dont mind if its slow off the line. I dont mind the Gas filler is on the right side, same as my wifes BMW. I dont mind the door lock switch is on the dash, same as the BMW. Ive not taken it on a long highway drive yet but so far Ive gotten 27.9 in mixed driving.

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  Too Early to Die - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By rosegarden - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Problems: wipers constantly stuck in up position. Apparently this has been a recall item on other years, but GM decided not for 1999, so dealer wants lots of money to fix it. Power sliding door problems and electrical problems (remote entry), which the dealer fixed at no charge. Major problem of gasket cracking so oil and coolant leaked internally and externally (66666 miles) ($700 repair.) Dumb placement of drivers cup holders on floor. Also had some trouble with power windows, but maybe lubrication will fix them. Am investigating a Honda Odyssey as we have had good luck with Hondas in the past now that they have made them bigger.

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  I love my Blazer - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RAY RAY - December 11 - 2:00 am

  I hear alot of negative comments about the Blazer. I love it. It is American and I do believe that it is extremely comfortable. It seems that since the Trailblazer came around, it is not respected as it was. We LOVE it...would not trade it for the world!

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  This van is great! - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jackisuzu3 - December 11 - 2:00 am

  I used to own a Ford Windstar..this blows it away. The Traction control is wonderful.I have not slid once. The dvd player is a lifesaver with the kids. It is smooth and powerful. Gas mileage is great. I drove 335miles before filling up!

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  Taking it to the MAXX - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By JC - December 11 - 12:00 am

  What a vehicle. V6, remote start, the most amazing backseat function (with more cargo room then some SUVs), DVD player on a car, great driving dynamics, and cheaper than the Camry, Accord, and Altima by thousands..

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  Chevy Cobalt Lil Red - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By don shannon - December 10 - 5:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle after having driven a rental vehicle of the same type for a month.We were pleased with the way the rental drove, and have been equally pleased with the purchased vehicle. We havc a five on the floor tranny and it is a great deal of fun to drive. The gas mileage has been much better than we expected, running over 30 MPG for most of our driving which includes city, highway and rural driving.

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  My 2nd ZR2 - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jeffd74@aol.com - December 10 - 2:00 am

  This is my second ZR2, I absolutly love my truck, the exterior design is awesome, it has a very powerful look to it. I think the addition of the color yellow to the blazer line up was a very good choice as that was the color I picked and after 1 year it is still turning heads.

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  2002 CHEVY CAMARO CONVERTIBLE - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By MOVE - December 10 - 2:00 am

  IVE DRIVEN CONVERTIBLES SINCE I WAS A YOUNG GIRL BUT I WANTED TO GET AWAY FROM THE CUTSIE LITTLE DEATH TRAP AND INTO SOMETHING WITH MORE STYLE AND RELIABILITY AND THE CAMARO IS IT. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATES SMOOTHLY AND LATCHES DOWN TIGHT, THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ICE COLD AND EXTRAS LIKE LUXURY CAR. THE BODY IS SEXY AND SLEEK AND THOUGH ITS VERY SIMILAR TO THE FIREBIRD, IT DOESNT HAVE THE SAME PLASTICKY LOOK TO IT, THE MOLDING AND ACCESSORIES ARE VERY UNDERSTATED. THIS CAR IS SUPER FRISKY AND HAS AMAZING PICK-UP BUT STILL ITS QUIET AND EASY TO CONTROL. THIS IS THE BEST CAR IVE EVER OWNED!

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  An update on My Maxxy - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Sean 418 - December 9 - 5:33 pm

  People write about their car generally within the first few months of ownership. I had written about this car previously. Well and update, I have had the car 4 years and love it. The head rest is a little stiff unlike my 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix or 2000 Olds Intrigue, but I love this vehicle. It has excellent acceleration. Has held up very well. I am very pleased with my purchase, still 4 years later.