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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  Excellent Puchace - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Joshua Graham - April 1 - 10:00 am

  The Silverado Work Truck is an ideal purchase for a working man who wants a truck that he can use for a reasonable price. The manual transmission, vinyl flooring and seats, long bed, and 4WD are ideal features, and in the WT package you can purchase this at an excellent price. This is my second truck like this in 4 years and I couldnt be any happier. My last truck was the most reliable vehicle Ive ever owned and I put it through many situations in the woods and on the highway. I would drive the same truck even if I was a millionare.

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  Too light for long trips - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Thomas - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I have found that on open highway travel, that this vehicle is too light in high winds it is easily pushed around and I have even been pushed off the road due to high winds.

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  Cavalier - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ChazH - April 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is small and quicker than I expected. It is a five speed, which makes the fuel economy even higher. I usually get 480mpg. There is alot of aftermarket items avaliable which makes it easy to up the performance. I would highly recomend this car to anyone.

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  ZR-1 After 10 years of driving - 1990 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Ken M. - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Just a thrill and fun car to drive. I thought that the "muscle" cars like from the 60s would never come back. I was wrong. I bought mine with 12500 miles on it, was just broken in and ready to really go!

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  Price vs performance - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Ed Krohn - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Best in class in value of a high performance production vehicle

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  Great vehicle for the family - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Gerb - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the suburb in Green Bay at Broadway. All the people we delt with were great and very helpful. My wife picked black for the color and I picked the 1500 LS 4x4 with trailer package, lift gate and premium tires. All the other features that we were looking for were standard on the LS. Including four wheel anti-lock disc brakes, 3rd row seat, power everything and much more.

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  love my tahoe - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By dardson1 - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought mine during the $2002 rebate and for invoice less the rebate. The only options on mine is the 285hp engine, rear liftgate, and raised letter tires. At exactly $28k plus TT&L this truck is a bargain. Im getting right at 15mpg city (with fairly conservative driving.) It is quiet, smooth, and very well done. I had a 96 Tahoe. Almost loved it but the brakes were terrible and the design was sloppy. GM has nailed these new SUVs, and I am very pleased. If reliability proves good, Ill call it just about perfect.

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  fuel mileage - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By sandiegoco - March 31 - 5:18 pm

  I have owned my Silverado for four years. I have the 4.8 V8 and 3.73 gears. I have found over the years that Chevy gears their vehicles too tall, thus the low gearing. Fuel mileage is sub par. I get 13 mpg in the city, 14 to 15 with a little suburbia thrown in, and 17 - 19 on the freeway. Only got 20 mpg once on the Olympic Penninsila--flat at 55 mpg. Reliability has been outstanding--only a fuel guage relay (?) that went out. I have towed a Honda Civic from Southern California to Portland Or. and back with no problems and got 14 mpg. The truck is extremely comfortable, but the fuzzy seats collect lint like crazy--whats with that? I recommend this truck, but with the 5.3 and 6 speed.

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  Excellent Car. 240 HP - 28 MPG - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Michael - March 31 - 3:13 am

  Half the miles I drive are on the highway. This car is a quiet ride on the highway. Im averaging 28 MPG. The seats are big are comfortable. The steering wheel mounted controls allow you to control the radio function and cruise control. Overall it has been a great car for me. I highly recomend this car. It definitely has enough horsepower as well. Its fun to turn of fthe traction control and smoke the front tires.

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  S-10 Extreme - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By Zelmo - March 31 - 2:00 am

  The S-10 extreme has been an exceptional vehicle for its price range. I have put 34000 miles on it since buying it used in 2000. It has only had to have new front brake pads and noting else other than oil changes and filters. It is loaded with accessories and has been great for the price range it is in. It looks great and the interior has held up well. The only problem at all with the vehicle is that it has a 4 cyl. motor that is some what under powered for all the othe features of the vehicle.