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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  Bama Tahoe Owner - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tahoe Guy - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Overall a great vehicle. If youre looking at an Expedition reconsider. The Tahoe has much more power and a better ride. Has been to the dealer once for the power window on front passenger side, other than that no problems.

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  Luv It! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Joe Clark - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I like my Avalanche more now than when I bought it. The only thing that would be a nice addition would be backup sensors, since it is difficult to see out the rear window and you must almost totally depend on your side mirror. It is ok, but takes some getting use to. Otherwise I love it!

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  Dont be discouraged from others mishaps - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Linemon - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Finally got rid of the 99 Expedition XLT. First thing noticed is the quietness & comfort of the ride (even with the air suspension in the Ford). Strong performance with loads of ammentities. Appearance is in the eye of the beholder, so see for yourself.

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  5.3 = more go, same flow - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Foony - October 22 - 7:56 pm

  Like another revewer here, I also traded in my 05 for the 08. They are two entirely different trucks. I loved my 05 but missed it for about 3 seconds after I drove the new one off the lot. Chevy went back to the drawing board with this one. It is a serioulsy great truck. Looks great, handles great. If you plan on carying any kind of load, I would strongly recommend the 5.3 liter. (I never tried the baby 6 cylinder) With a lumber rack, Camper shell, and full of tools, I can still get upto and maintain highway speeds like it was empty. (and about the same mileage)

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  Happy Indiana Campers - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bob & Cari Palma - October 22 - 4:53 am

  Excellent overall execution. This is the first new automobile we have purchased in 33 years, preferring used. But the factory incentives made this new car impossible to pass up, so we went for it and are glad we did. Great car overall. We appreciate the level of standard equipment, even in this base LS model. We did not want ABS and Im glad it was optional on the LS so we could avoid having to pay for it one way or another. Fit and finish is excellent; no complaints or any need to return car to the dealership. The Impala is an outstanding value for the money; head & shoulders above Camrys, Accords, etc. Highly recommend that it be compared to those makes before assuming anything

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  Chevy Maxx 2005 - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By JK - October 22 - 2:56 am

  I absolutely love this car and cant believe chevy stopped making them. Cant believe the torque on this car absolutely incredible for its size. Ok, problems, the steering shaft has been fixed once already due to warranty related problems at about 20000 and now is having the same problems again at 79000 (no longer covered). The cloth seat are by far the worst I have ever had in a car, you see every single little stain, water or worse - absolutely horrible, very tough to clean, took to pro and they refused to clean the upholstery. If chevy still made them I would buy a brand new one w leather seats right away. 23 gas/city - 26 highway. CD player broke, love onboard comp and low maintanence.

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  Buy only for fuel efficiency - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By txmx - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this 4cyl truck with 102000 in 1999. It used to be a company truck. The A/C was inop and it had been in an accident prior to selling. I bought it because it was the only thing I could afford. Unless you are only going to use it for work, dont buy it. I already put another engine on it due to highway usage. I also replaced clutch, slave cylinder, master clutch cylinder, driver seat, power brake is going out...I could go on. If you want more reliability, buy a full-size truck, whether it be Chevy or Ford.

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  Strong suburban - 1991 Chevrolet Suburban
  By TRAILERMAN - October 22 - 2:00 am

  We have enjoyed our Suburban very much, the 454 engine has lots of power. I pull a trailer, 8 passengers and 8 bicycles and it flies. Regular repairs and maintenance but at 135,000 it still runs strong. I am very pleased and reccomend anyone to buy one.

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  Best off-road vehicle out the door!! - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By BADZR2 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Though my ZR2 is a 2002, I must voice my opinion. This truck ROCKS! I have taken this vehicle to the nastiest places off-roading and it performs above all other trucks in its class!! I have even towed Jeeps out of jams!! Hopefully, the Colorado will carry on the tradition of the ZR2!. To all those guys worried about the gas mileage, give it 10,000 miles and your gas mileage will increase dramatically after break-in :)

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  I love this Van - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By LMTapia - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this van with 50,000 miles and now have 184,000 miles and it still runs like new. No slipage in the transmission and no loss of power. I have replaced a few items like water pump and radiator along with 4 brake jobs but at 184,000 miles, not bad at all. This is my second Astro.