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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  Avalanche,a good choise. - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Loren Guinn - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Siyle, comfort, useability, size and all around good looks. I chose not to include the add-on plastic, it looks tackey and has no use. I have been delighted with the ride and power. I purchased the 66 towing package and the best seats. I am one happy camper.

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  Love It! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Sunlinerdude - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I have always been a truck consumer. I had overlooked the Avelanche in the past thinking it was a gimick vehicle. After driving it and really looking at all it has to offer, I am hoping that in three years when I need to replace this vehicle there will still be another one available. I love this truck and all of its features.

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  Do It All Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By btec75 - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Gutsy SUV combo, many uses. Will fit in most gargages at home. Solves trade off of long length with midgate.Owned my 03 Z71 Avalanche since December 2002, equiping with Convenience and Personal Security Packages, Sunroof, Leather and HD Tow Pkg. Best vehicle Ive even owned in over 30 years of driving. Solid and rugged. Chevy did something unique with the Avalanche. If youre not accustom to larger SUVs or pickups this may not be the vehicle for you. However, if you want something tough but comfortable and can climb into the vehicle, you found it. "Like A Rock" -- I love my Avalance.

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  Not bad - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By gwstevenson - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Not a bad truck. I had a K1500, and this is nicer than that truck, but still isnt as good as I could (should) be, especially considering the price. Workmanship/quality isnt nearly as good as it should be. I have upholstery coming unstitched, rattles and vibrations that cant be diagnosed, etc. Overall it isnt too bad though.

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  Love it - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jo Jo - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Love it Love it Love it

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  No bad--but not perfect - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Chris - July 23 - 12:03 am

  I bought this vehicle for commercial use and it has been pretty good. Problem areas have been the fuel injectors (replaced under warranty), and faulty gauges. After almost 3 years of ownership, the truck still looks good and drives very carlike. I chose a Duramax for its smoothness over the Ford and Dodge diesels. My truck has the 12,000 GVW package and I have not been able to bottom out the suspension, in spite of my best efforts!

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  Buy a Silverado instead - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Junior K - July 22 - 9:54 am

  I traded my 2014 Silverado for the 2015 Colorado based on the size. I had broken my ankle and it was a little more difficult to get into the Silverado because of its height so I buckled down and bought the Colorado with a Crew Cab. Beautiful looking truck that seemed to ride nice on the Test Drive. The next day I had this weird feeling that I shouldnt have traded, but I really didnt know why. My first trip to my dads house which is an hour and a half from me on hills and winding turns, it handled really great but it wasnt shifting right. The dealer didnt know why at first but was willing to try to find out why. I was going to try to keep it awhile to get it paid down but then several recalls later and many visits to the dealership, it just cost me money. The dealership was 30 minutes away so even with the warrantys I still spent a lot in gas going back and forth from the dealership. The gas Mileage wasnt as good as it should have been compared to the Silverado. I got almost the same gas mileage. I was missing my Silverado more and more every day. I was leaving my job one day after a hard days work and I threw the truck in Reverse to back out of my spot and then I went into drive and thats when the Gearshift just fell off, I mean completely off. I had no gears but that, so I had to go straight to the dealership, I couldnt back up or anything. They fixed it and gave me a car to drive, and then later I had to have my dash and cameras replaced. The shifting seem to get worse the longer I had it and then it started using oil. The oil was 2 quarts low at time of change. The straw that broke the camels back was the AC. It worked great but the line that goes from the AC Pump to the vents was corroded and ended up causing mold to form behind the dash which smelled so bad that I almost vomited the day I decided enough is enough. I have always been a Chevy fan and I still am but I have not had a good experience with this truck. I went out on June 30th and traded it in for a 2017 Silverado. I must say that I believe Im going to be happy again. I didnt have that feeling the next day like I did with the Colorado. I didnt know why I had that feeling but I think there was something to it. Would I recommend this truck?...If you want a smaller truck that looks good and has a good stereo then yes I would, but if you want quite in the cab as well as smooth shifting and more comfort and reliability, then no I would not. The only thing about this truck I liked was the Color and the Bose Sound System. That is it.

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  Amazing Car for the Money!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By PeteyPete - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my mint condition 99 hardtop last year and couldnt be any more happy. Its been a reliable and fun Sunday car that turns heads, and is a pleasure to drive. Im impressed w/ the mileage i get, averaging 20 mpg driving in a mix of city and highway driving. The interior couldve been a bit more refined, but the car makes up for it in performance and style.

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  Nice little SUV - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By merlin - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Nice body style, but looks roomier than it is. Front seats have tons of space, and excellent headroom for tall folks, but back seats are cramped for anyone over 57" (great for carseats, though). Surprisingly good fuel economy for a 4X4. 4 wheel drive is easy to use, trouble-free. Outstanding in deep snow! Periodic irritating rattle from sides of dashboard - it comes and goes, not sure of the cause. Interior materials are cheap (plastic scratches easily), and the body seems to dent easily - but what do you expect for a car under 15 grand? Absolutely no mechanical problems. Excellent vehicle for the money.

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  Chevy astro - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By ksstoddard - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I like the all wheel drive in the winter time. We have heard the windshields leak frequently on these ares does. We bought into the extended warrenty. You might need it. I have also heard the fuek injectors have gone bad frequently on the this engine. If I buy another van it would still be an Astro Im not really excited about those compact mini vans and i like the V-6 engine.