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:

• 

  Not bad GM - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By chevy1567892 - February 24 - 2:00 am

  After reading the other reviews, my Tahoe looks like a Toyota. I was woried about GM quality but had to have a V8 SUV for towing which meant Expedition or Tahoe. At 100k mile, the only real problem was the front suspension (Pitman and A arms had to be replaced to keep the truck in alignment). New altenator, battery, a few sensors, cap and rotor have also been replaced. This SUV still has the most confortable seats of any SUV, tows exceptionally, is just the right size, and has classic SUV styling. Didnt think I would get used to the mushy brakes, but they do stop ok if you remember what youre driving. MPG has been about 16.5 in city/highway mix.

• 

  You made a mistake - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By GMC - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Sorry to tell you this, but your Jimmy/Blazier will cause you nothing but headaches.. My wife has a 98 Jimmy with endless problems and has already rolled it due to its narrow design. I am sorry you spent alot of money on this SUV. We did too! and the resale value has dropped or dumped from $33000 new to 13000 in just 5 years! Lots of problems that the dealer refused to fix under warrenty. Had to threaten to sue to get it fixed... I hope you GMC works out better for you then ours did.. Bought a Honda Pilot... Best desision we ever made. and resale is going to be great too.. goodluck

• 

  98 Blazer review - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By gmorris - February 24 - 2:00 am

  The car has been very reliable, starting emediately. I had to have to 4 wheel drive worked on because I did not use for over a year. I now try to put it into 4 wheel drive at least 2 times a month. It has been working well. It still feels "tight" after over 88,000 miles and uses no oil. Im using Amsoil 10-30 and changing oil yearly. Oil still looks almost new after 15000 miles.

• 

  Be Thankful for what you buy - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Sandy_B - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1990 Chevy Lumina,that had ALOT of miles. My parents had purchased a loaded Impala,I loved it!! Well I am glad to report that I have one. Its a month old. I read alot of reviews on this,to have a car, one must put money into one. I LOVE my Impala. It has great gas mileage,roomy,and handles very well. I have four children and we sit very well in the Impala. People say it should have this and have that well you get what you pay for.I personally after being able to afford a good car after so many years of hard work am not going to complain. Unless you are a teenager wanting to go around with the radio wide open I think the stereo is just fine.

• 

  GO CHEVY--Awesome Car - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Danny_G - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Chevy has always been my choice in cars--WHY?!?! They are awesome cars to own. The Impala is the best car I have ever owned and I love it. It is fully loaded and a joy to own. Very resonably priced and great options.

• 

  2002 Tahoe - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By likeit - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Very pleased with this vehicle

• 

  LOVE THE EXTERIOR...UPGRADE THE INTERIOR - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By MIKEYC - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE HAD MY 2002 TAHOE FOR 11 MONTHS, AND 11000 MILES. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PERFORMANCE THAT THE CHEVY V-8 IS UNSURPASSED, BUT THE INTERIOR NEEDS SOME UPGRADING. LEATHER SEATS ARE COMFORTABLE AND APPEALING BUT WAY TOO MUCH PLASTIC IN DASHBOARD AND DOOR PANELS. PUT A IMPORT INTERIOR WITH THIS DOMESTIC EXTERIOR, AND YOU WOULD HAVE S.U.V. EUPHORIA.

• 

  Awsome Ride - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By cbs2669 - February 23 - 10:33 pm

  I purchased the 2WD LTZ approx 2 weeks ago. This is the first Tahoe I have ever owned. I frequently trade cars and have had several SUVs. In the past 6yrs I have had a Yukon, Yukon XL, and a Denali. This vehicle is light years ahead of any I have ever owned. It makes the inside of a Denali look like it came out of the 70s. The interior is roomy, seats are very comfortable. Handling is great for such a large vehicle, and the ride is very smooth. The fuel management feature of shutting down half the engine is an excellent idea. Cant even feel when it happens. I wish I could drive it more, but I cant seem to get my wife out of it. Wont be trading this one anytime soon, its a keeper.

• 

  My new Car - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Meredith Webb - February 23 - 10:03 pm

  Like the power and response. Radio is difficult, but not important. Cup holder in front cannot be used with emergency brake up, doesnt fit. Also, windshield is lower than the moulding around it, so when you are trying to clean the windshield with the wipers, it can only push(snow) so far and then it piles up so you cannot see, especially on the drivers side. Seats are manual, which doesnt really matter except you can only go front and back, whereas a short person like myself needs it to go up.

• 

  Love Hate Relationship - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By JoeG610 - February 23 - 10:00 am

  Fell in love with this car the day we test drove it. The style, and the power were what we were looking for, but, unfortunately we outgrew it quick, having to put 2 children in the back. Bought the car with 60,000 miles on it. Needed a tune-up at about 100,000 miles and it WAS NOT CHEAP! Alternator went shortly after... but guess where it is located... on the bottom of the engine behind all of the steering components! We are looking into getting a more practical car for the family, but, we are having a hard time parting with this car. Very fun to drive. All of the other reviews hit the nail on the head.