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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  Long Live Blazer - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By BGNK - July 3 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1992 Chevy S-10 Blazer with a Tahoe package and I love it. This vehicle has 165000 miles on it and refuses to die. t burns very little oil at first start up after it has been sitting but other than that its fine.I have the high performance engine which has 200 horses and 260 torque and it pulls a 4100 pound boat at 70 with very little trouble.That is in overdrive.The only trouble I had with it was when I had to have the transfer case rebuilt, but it was worth it.It gets between 16 and 19 mpg in town and 17 to 24 on the highway depending on how you drive.

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  2002 Camaro Convertible - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By C. Brady - July 3 - 2:00 am

  35th anniversary Convertible, sad to see it go. Well built sporty car, very easy maintence, very fun to drive, nice little rumble from the dual exhaust. We are extremely happy with the Camaro.

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  Quality Issues - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 08ltxafret - July 2 - 10:56 pm

  08 LTZ, 48K miles dash is cracked, door lock actuators working intermitently, interior chrome handles chipping, exterior door handle paint pealing off, interior paint chipping from steering wheel and a/c instrument panel. Under warrenty both d/p window channels replaced due to window squeaking (4 trips to dealer), rear tail light assembly replaced due to moisture (2 trips), carpet under brake/gas pedal comming loose (5 trips), p door lock actuator bad (2 trips). Exterior paint is scracthed with the most minor rub.

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  Nice Car - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Jack - July 2 - 8:40 am

  This car was and still is my first car. It is extremely reliable and gets great gas mileage, especially for its age. The interior has a great feel to it and is very comfortable. It is a good looking car especially with added touches. Handles nicely but is nothing close to s ports car. Great first car as it was meant to keep me and my lead foot out of trouble. Steering wheel radio controls nice although it needs a CD player. Only problem is the car seems sluggish of the line and especially up hills, however compared to all the good that is no major problem.

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  Nice car - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By zees - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Intake manifold gaskets went at 66000. Apparantley the Chevy and others now use plastics gaskets for v6 and v8s. Maybe they will get it right in another ten years. Also fuel sendign unit broke, cost $880 at dealer to fix. Only good news is next time Chevy pays for the parts (lifetime warranty on replacement parts) But the car has been more reliable than my previous Accord.

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  41,000 Miles - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Dweezil - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Have owned for 4 years no problem. Still on the 1st set of tires.Avg mileage on long trips over 30 mpg at 70 75 mph. Rides like a much heavier car. Very underrated. Was a bargain fully equipped. Dealer is sensational. Open 7 days a week. M-F till MIDNIGHT!!!

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  Off to work - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By oribhabor - July 2 - 12:00 am

  I find the Aveo a very fun car to drive. Its interior is extremely large for the size of car it is. It’s not nearly a boxy as the Mini Cooper. My friends tell me that I have a new toy. I agree. I have named it Mighty Mouse. It gets pretty good mileage; maybe 28 mpg. If you need a car to commute with, it’s the one.

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  The Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dochoad - July 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is absolutely the best truck I have driven. Chevrolet hit a homerun. There is no substitute.

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  Amazing Toy - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ampm - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Superb suspension for a truck; fuel economy on the hi-way.. reasonable fuel consumption in city driving

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  First new Chevy - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By R.Scott - July 1 - 10:00 am

  2003 Trailblazer LS 4x4 w/option pkg 1 Love the truck!! Great power and very smooth. I have been researching suvs for a while for use as a commuter and frequent summer towing of a boat and camping trailer, this is the only mid- sized suv that fills the bill. rides and handles better than most suvs I have driven.This is the first of three new vehicles that has not gone back to the dealer for service or problems within the first 5000 miles.I have not had any problems, avg 19 mpg. Excellent dealer experience. suspension is a little light to be a real off-road contender.