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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  Just traded for an Evoy - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Pics - June 11 - 2:00 am

  I loved to drive my trailblazer more than my car . At first I had problems with the four wheel drive ,it would try to go into four low going down the road .also had a lot of electrical problems,Doors would lock by themselves,security horn would blow when you unlocked the door. I got decent gas milage 17 to 20 . Just traded for a 2003 GMC Envoy , it has 2;73 gearing only getting 14 to 15 mpg on GMC.The tailgate handle molding ate into the paint, noticed GMC has a rubber seal around it.

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  paid 15000 not 21000 - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gleemontague - June 11 - 2:00 am

  The discounts available on these cars bring the actual price down to the economy car level. I would not have bought this car for 21000. At 15 you are talking about one of the least expensive 6 passenger cars in the world. The 3.4 litre motor is not over stressed in the configuration provided here. interior is very good for large people who have long legs. And the available bench seat brings me back to the good old days. Some of those old fashioned features are still good today. I also like the trunk design. I work in an auto plant and have repaired many trunk mechanisms. This is an amazingly simple hinge that works well.

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  Work truck. - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By J Weinstein - June 11 - 1:29 am

  Bought this a month ago and just love it. I am very impressed by the power of the V6 engine. I dragged a 1600 pound empty trailer at 75 mph from Texas to California, loaded 2200 pounds (my gvw was about 9000 lbs. at this point) on it and dragged it back at 75mph bucking a strong headwind with no problems and getting 17.8 mpg roundtrip! That V6 has the power of an old school 350, and Im not sure when Id need the power of the 5.3 V8. Empty and driven conservatively around town Im getting 21mpg. Really like this truck! UPDATE: Still a great truck after 8 months, of course! Mileage is down a bit, probably because I dont drive quite as conservatively as when new.

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  Great car - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By jamie - June 10 - 10:16 am

  This car is one everyone should test drive. During the time Ive had this car weve made 2 long highway trips and the mileage averaged 28.5. Around town we average about 23-24. Im 63" tall and this car has plenty of room for me in the front or back. Great car if you have a couple kids. Im pleased with the performance and driveability of this car. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a roomy car.

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  Fun lil mini SUV - 1999 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Amanda-Lou - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I just bought one today and Man! I love it! Its amazing how much head room and rear room is in that little thing. Great stereo sound and wonderful panoramic view of the road. Overall, Great first SUV for young hip drivers! (like myself!)

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  Camaros are Great.... - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Justin Barnes - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I just got my car and its great, besides some little things that need to be tuned up on it. It has a new exaust system which makes this beast sound great with the V8. I LOVE IT.

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  Sweet Truck - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Tex - June 10 - 2:00 am

  ZR2 is the best light duty 4x4 available

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  Decent overall - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By Marc B - June 10 - 2:00 am

  Take this van for what it is - roomy, practical, relatively inexpensive, no-frills transportation. Van has had its share of minor problems, most of them related to fit and finish items, but no problems with any major component (engine, transmission, electrical, etc.). Very good for towing light trailers and for long-distance hauling with a full load of kids and goodies. Decent gas mileage for its capabilities (16.0 - 21 mpg).

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  Be careful - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By noone - June 10 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought the 2000 WB Venture after downsizing from a Chevy Astro. The only reason for getting rid of the Astro was convience of taking sleeping kids out of car seats in the back. Although we love the dual doors, and power driver side door (when it worked), we found ourselves quite frequently back at the dealership for the power sliding door. When the door didnt work, it would open manually either... Make sure you check that van has had the recalls done. I just traded my Venture for An AWD Astro 2002....Good By Venture....

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  Poor long term performance - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Roxbyrose - June 10 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy Blazer is a staple of the SUV industry whose body style has not changed for a number of years I have figured out why. Chevy does not want the consumer to know the number of old (7+ years) Blazers still remain on the road in running condition. I have had consistant problems with the A/C, radiator and oil system. The oil lines leak requiring replacement every 2 years ($1200 expense). The engine light comes on like a movie theater marque. My average oil change costs at least $150. If someone must have a Blazer, my suggestion is to LEASE it. Do not buy this vehicle. In the long run, the cost to own it out weighs the value of the vehicle.