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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  TANEYTOWN TRUCKIN! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By CHRIS COOL - May 14 - 10:00 am

  VERY POWERFUL,RELIABLE TRUCK! LOTS OF ROOM GOOD LOOKS TOO!

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  Great Family Truck - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By S. Adler - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun truck to drive. I have found it to be reliable, roomy and dependable. My family and grandkids love it. Great to take fishing, camping and on long trips.Contrary to test reports I have found the steering and handling to be very good.

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  Grreat - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lupe Vela - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Very good and reliable

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  First Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By bellterp - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This is my first truck. Looked at Ford and Dodge went with the Chevy. Best pick I ever made. Rids like a car. Gas mileage is poor but that is what you get with a 5.3 V8.

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  blazing glory - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By christie - May 14 - 2:00 am

  this is the best vehicle investment i have made its fun reliable and great for the whole family.I actually look forward to driving to work now.

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  Best I ve ever had or ever seen - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Barnwell Bruiser - May 13 - 9:36 am

  Saw this truck on dealers lot is a white diamonds special edition that pearly white paint job looks just fantastic . 20 inch chrome rims just the total overall package is unlike anything else out there . Some fellow had it 3 months and traded it in on ,well wont mention but his loss was my gain the 4 cylinders dont near kick in enuff supposedly giving the better gas mileage but perhaps I drive it like it was meant to be driven and not doddlin around Love the layout inside and out .

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  2001 4.8 LS regular Cab short bed 2WD - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By sliqnaugahyde - May 13 - 7:26 am

  I bought my 2001 Pewter LS Silverado new and have 97,000 original miles on it. It has never been garage kept. I live in NJ and there is not a spot of rust on the truck and the paint still shines. I run it through the car wash 1 to 2 times a month and get the wax treatment that is included. I have only replaced the fuel pump and recently the thermostat besides the norm. I continually get offers for the truck and complements from other pickup owners. The truck has no rattles and runs great. the door speakers have just started buzzing, but Im sure its because of age and banging of the doors for 13 years. My only complaint has been tires. Im on my 3rd set of Bridgestones that are 16/60/ 275s

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  My Prizm rides well! - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By vtowns - May 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in March of 2000, and love the style, the way it handles, and the gas mileage is great! However, it could be more comfortable, the seats are not at all comfortable, and there could be more leg room in the back seat, and it could take dings a little better too. Overall, its a great car!

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  Having second thoughts - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By luckydog1 - May 13 - 2:00 am

  Truck has MANY fit a finish problems. Seals and moldings around doors and windows are crooked, or have chunks missing. Im having a MAJOR problem right now with the Passkey security system. After a month of running fine, the security system keeps shutting off the gas to the engine and sometimes it takes me over an hour to get the truck to start. I just took it in last night for the dealers 2nd chance on taking care of that problem. I think that they will have it awhile, but they provided me with a nice loaner car. Up until the starting problem, I really LOVED the Truck. Now Im having second thoughts about buying it..

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  crap! - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By lbs - May 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car to take back and forth to college. Every time i get in it i get a headache from the wind noise. The car is not well insulated and every little noise is heard. I have to keep the radio loud to even hear it over the noise. i have had to replace the alternator and the starter and a few batteries. I also had major problems with the AC like five times. All around it is more trouble than it is worth.