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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  Tahoe Z71 - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By fkwalter - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Like Z71 very much. Had a Ford explorer and this is larger and towing has been great. Have 3500 lbs. camper and you do not you are towing the camper. Great towing power in mountains. Only have 3000 miles on vehicle so cannot commet on reliability yet!

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  So proud of myself for this buy !!! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Furdog - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Bought an EXT LS Trailblazer with a V-8 in June 2004. I could not be happier with the purchase. I never thought Id get into a 7 seat SUV for under 30 grand. With Chevys rebates and incentives, I was well under 30 grand including interest on financing. For the price, Chevrolet comes with the most standard features of any midsize SUV. The Trailblazer is better looking than the Tahoe, and costs a lot less. I get decent gas mileage (15 MPG) and the kids love our new vehicle. I cant wait to take a long road trip. The standard features alone make the Explorer look sick. Compare the two and you will see what I mean.

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  Malibu Maxx - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Sharon Roush - December 7 - 10:00 am

  It took a lot for me to convince my husband to get a car vs. another SUV or truck. But when he got into this car, he loved it and still does. So much better on gas mileage and very fun to drive.

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  Gods Gift to Men - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By KXR - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Ihave owned Vettes in the past. This is the most fun any man can have with his pants on. Its faster all through the RPM range than I expected. Its remarkabely quiet and has a much smoother ride. The six speed short shifter is great. The top rattles a alittle when it is detached and in the rear holder. But its not a problem at all. The car is very forgiving to drive and the Heads Up display is fantastic. The Nav system and the XM radio operate easily from a simple to understand touch screen.

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  Gotta love this truck! - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jwheeler - December 7 - 10:00 am

  They just keep getting better and better. Rides like a car, power like a pickup.

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  love my car still - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Lisa - December 7 - 10:00 am

  i love me car I have had it for three months now and fun to drive. i also had a rubbing noise in front suspension they said there is a recall on struts mine have been orded has anyone had the same issue? I also had to replace my front speaker when i picked it up 3 days latter it was vibrating. But remember this is a new model and we are the guiny pigs

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  2003 Silverado - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By silverado - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a reliable fullsize pickup that would get good gas mileage. Turns out, I should have just gone for the V-8. Overall, this is a very nice pickup, and I have had no problems so far. But, for a V-6 2wd pickup, I was expecting better than 17 mpg. The truck is comfortable, and is large enough to use as a family vehicle. It has some really nice features for a base model, like the dual zone climate control, cruise, and CD player. Everything is well laid out and easy to use. The V- 6 has adequate power to get around, but is nothing to brag about. Overall, I would recommend this truck, but would suggest one of the bigger engines.

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  outstanding suv - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By superd - December 7 - 2:00 am

  i have been extremely pleased with this suv. i bought it for my family of 7 and have found it to comfortably accomadate. we take it for 1500 mile summer vacations and have had outstanding results. it is comfortable, reliable, and economical.

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  1996 LT - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ED KOZICKI - December 7 - 2:00 am

  BETTER THAN AVERAGE GAS MILAGE FOR THE ENGINE & HP. PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1987 BLAZER AND FIND MY 1996 LT PROVIDES A MORE COMFORTABLE RIDE. HANDLES MORE LIKE A MID-SIZE CAR THAN A TRUCK. THE NEGATIVE SIDE IS THAT THERE WERE 4 RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE WHICH INCLUDED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND ABS BRAKES.

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  Z06 corvette - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By eric schnabel - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a great and fast car.