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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  Best Silverado yet - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
  By Joe DE - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my 2008 2500HD Silverado for the 2011, 3500HD,LTZ, 6.6 Duramax with allison, dually, 4X4. Love it! think Im driving a luxury car! I was able to get 20 mpg on 95 at 64 mpg. No kidding.

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  Absolutely THE BEST - 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Maranda - July 2 - 8:22 pm

  This car is AWESOME. FUN TO DRIVE SUPER SAFE AND RELIABLE I HIGHLY RECCOMEND IT!!

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  Had this car for over 3 years and still LOVE it! - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By danimarie4 - July 2 - 9:58 am

  I bought this car brand new in July 2008 and I still absolutely love it. Not many issues, other than a recent engine light on for an emissions issue. Its a very reliable car, mileage is CONSISTENTLY 20-21 no matter where or how I am driving. Wonderful family car. Highly recommend after 50,000 miles!

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  Next Time,Ill buy FORD - 1996 Chevrolet Express
  By PERK - July 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van used.At 50,000 miles,the fuel pump went bad.I have spent over $1000.00 on the air conditioning.Now the computer is bad.I expected better performance from a GM product.Fit and finish is poor,at best.The outside rear view mirrors vibrate excessively.

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  Busch96Astrovan - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By Kustov - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Since 1996, we used van for 8 trips of ~3200 miles from Edmonton Alberta to Las Vegas. W/ two exceptions we took the van off the road in the U.S., using it for normal city driving only in Canada. Nearly 50% of the mileage comes from eight return trips on expressways. The vans maintenance record is available: Tires ~8900 miles brakes replaced ~3 years ago, air-conditioning, rear hydraulic lift, front end alignment and other completed 2001. The windshield has a crack, and there are several scratches and dimples on its "autumn brown" rust-free exterior.

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  MY THIRD BURB SINCE 1996 - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By SLA - July 2 - 2:00 am

  THIRD SUBURBAN SINCE 96. TRADE AT 65K EVERY TWO YEARS. LIKED THE 1996 AND 1999, BUT THE 2000 PLATFORM WAS A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN RIDE AND WIND NOISE. THE SECOND ROW BUCKET SEAT IS NOW A VERY "CIVILIZED" PLACE TO TRAVEL VIS A VIS THE OLD BENCH STYLE SEAT, PLUS BETTER ACCESS TO THE THIRD ROW. MINOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRIC WINDOW ACTUATORS. APPARENTLY GM GOT A BAD BATCH. IVE GOT ALMOST 63K MILES ON THIS ONE AND IT IS AS TIGHT AND PLEASING TO DRIVE AS WHEN IT WAS NEW. THE GENERAL HAS IT JUST ABOUT RIGHT WITH THIS PLATFORM.

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  Fun first car - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By houstonbabe - July 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new as my first car. I really love the exterior, and I am small so I can handle the cramped interior. I have driven it almost 36,000 miles in two years and have had no major problems. If only the dashboard werent noisy or cracking I would be completely satisfied.

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  Not Satisfied at All - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By matamc2 - July 2 - 2:00 am

  i have not been satisfied with my blazer at all. I have a constant wind noise on the passenger front window (only on this side) that is quite annoying and distracting. I have only 3,000 miles on it and have had to take it in 3 times for 3 different malfunctions. In order to try and fix the wind noise, the door was bent when the dealership was trying to adjust it. What can I do about this vehicle?

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  What is this? - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dbruce - July 1 - 10:43 pm

  I am or was a loyal Chevrolet customer. Well im sad to say that this truck has changed my mind. I have had multiple problems with it. From tail light to water pump. The quality of my 91 was way better. The worst part of it was when the warrenty ran out ( it had 36200 miles and they wanted to charge me for fixing a problem the hadnt fixed in the past) Chevrolet decided not to stand by their product. Really disapointing, well Toyota here I come.

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  I love my cams! - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Spongeytim - July 1 - 2:00 am

  I own 2 camaros. I have an 85 and a 91. They both have the 305cid V8 in them. I love them both and wouldnt trade them for any car in the world.