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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  Take a Closer Look at Impala! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Happy In Mass - June 28 - 10:00 am

  My first thought of the Impala in 2000 was Dull. I test drove one a year ago, and changed my mind. My second look at the styling. Differant! Then came the fuel economy. Wow 30mpg. highway, and 20mpg around town! Then I took a ride. Powerful 200hp V-6. Tight handling, and quiet cabin! And all the creatures of a much more expensive car. I had a chance to ride in the back seat this week, a 30 minute ride.I was very impressed. I have had Town Cars, Crown Vics, and Grand Marquiss. Just as nice a ride, and just as much room, and the rear theater seating was nice. I am 61" plenty of leg room. Over 18 Cubic feet of trunk space, (I cant reach the back seat)

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  Love our Extended Trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By extended-trailblazer - June 28 - 10:00 am

  We wanted to step down from our full size conversion van, but didnt want a mini-van family mobile. the extended trailblazer fits the perfectly for us. We have tons of cargo space even with the second row seats in use. Performance is excellent and Chevy hardly missed a bell or whistle in the LTZ.

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  2002 Silverado 2wd ext - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By elljayvee - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Just 3 weeks old as of this writing. Very quiet interior for a truck.Pleasantly surprised the 5.3 V8 gave 15.6 mpg 1st tank, and 17.8 second tank. Tow package w/ Lim slp. Ride is a little bouncy but acceptable.

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  Great Truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Tim - June 28 - 6:26 am

  I purchased my truck with 9000 miles it now has 80000 miles. It has been a great truck, comfortable to drive, decent fuel mileage (16-17 mpg average) for a full sized truck. The only major problems with it are the rear differental & ring and pinion self destructing around 40000 miles and the sending unit for the fuel guage, just reset the trip odometer. I intend on keeping this truck untill it nickel and dimes me to death. Gets washed once a week, waxed once a month, oil changed every 3000-4000 miles. Looks and runs mint for a 8 yr old truck. Has the 4.8liter v8 automatic transmission and the locker rear end.

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  Good solid value - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mark - June 28 - 5:33 am

  The Impala LTZ is a solid value with good performance with the 3.9 V6, which comes from its older brother the rock solid 3.8. Styling is nice inside and out, but I would think for the price Chevy would offer climate control, a coin holder and better outside mirrors. I opted for the LTZ over the SS, due in part to the tires are cheaper to replace, the V6 runs good enough for any need I will ever have.

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  Tons of Towing! - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Jimmy James - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Our Burban has the turbo diesel engine and is a K2500 LT. We love the towing power and fuel economy!!! We tow our Sea Ray 290 Sundancer 6500lbs plus all over the east coast in 100 plus summer heat, with a/c on full blast. The burban never skips a beat!

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  Just one opinion - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By buggy - June 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used, it now has 73,000 miles on it. I have had the fuel pump replaced and now the "crank sensor"? ($25.00 part, $165.00 labor) The passenger side carpet gets wet when the a/c runs. Paint chips. Other than that, the car is a good car...(so far, I have only had it 2 years)

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  economical for the long time owner - 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rmecone - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought this at auction when it was 2 years old. Had 66k on it. Now has 148k. Had to have flywheel replaced shortly after we got it, but only because previous owner had installed the wrong starter. No major problems in over 10 years! Just a battery and tires. No engine work ever. Still runs great! Uses no oil. Tape player is wearing out, but stereo is fine.

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  One of my best - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By kshaes - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive loved everything about this car. My original tires lasted the full 80,000 miles! No mechanical problems. This is definitely one of my all time favorite cars.

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  Venture is a bargain! - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Illinois_Steven - June 28 - 2:00 am

  I narrowed my choices to this vehicle and the Honda. The Honda dealer was arrogant, and let me know that there was absolutely no room to negotiate. The Chevy people were very courteous, and rated about an 8/10. We have enjoyed the Venture, especially some of the features we really didnt expect.