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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  Most Exciting Vehicle for under $30K - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By NJFred - February 21 - 3:53 am

  For $409/mo (no money down lease) you will not find a better value. Ive had many cars; American, Japanese, and European. My Porsche 928 was a little nicer, but not nearly as practical or reliable. The SS is like a 4 door Vette that you can take the kids to school with. Its my daily drive, and I get 22+ mpg, squeeked out 28 on all highway @70mph, Comfortable for 5 people, huge trunk, Bose Sound-system.

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  towing with Chevy 2500 - 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By kentsw - February 20 - 2:45 pm

  Here is my experience with towing my 33ft Travel Trailer (9500 lbs) with this truck. It tows easily at whatever speed you set the cruise at, what I never thought thru was where the torque band is on this truck. It will select whatever gear is needed to pull the load, this sometimes results in driving in third gear up hills at 4200 rpm. It rarely would shift up into 6th gear and would not stay there long even on the slightest uphill. This all resulted in an average MPG of 6.9 on my 1300 mile trip to Florida. Encountering a strong headwind coming home it would still pull no problem at 66 mph but it got 5.8 mpg into the wind. Around town it gets 11.6 MPG driving very easy. disappointed MPG.

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  Used 99 Tahoe 4WD LT - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By afdsjr - February 20 - 1:17 pm

  I purchased the vehicle used with 38,000 miles. I have taken the Tahoe on a couple of trips and have enjoyed having the V8 and the space. I had the dealership perform the 45,000 mile service on the car. I have noticed only one thing out of the ordinary with my Tahoe. The lights both interior and exterior flicker with the car running. I am not sure what the problem is ,because I have a new battery. Any ideas?

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  Very nice, top marks - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By idanot thinkso - February 19 - 9:10 pm

  I love this vehicle. I only wish I would have gotten the LT3 for the 12 way power seat and the power lift gate. But he LT2 is more then I expected. Mileage leaves a bit to be desired, but I noticed as it breaks in it is getting a bit better.

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  Solid ride - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Glen conlon - February 19 - 2:01 am

  Needs some work, a good mechanic can bring this truck up to a great condition and get another 100k out of it.

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  yellow is HOT - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By lettuce47 - February 18 - 10:00 am

  Was the first yellow Monte in Pa. Love the car and the performance off the line for a V-6. Sleek body design, and the gas mileage is outstanding. Have 22k on Monte now, with absolutely no problems. Love this car...

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  new owner, replacing Geo Metro - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By mld - February 18 - 10:00 am

  more power then Geo, but not as good mileage

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  My Favorite Car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ShortieMeggie - February 18 - 10:00 am

  This is the first car that i have ever bought for myself and i could not be happier with my decision. My mom cosigned with me and I can make the payments by myself. It is a wonderful brand new car with a warenty that i can afford as a 19 year old. i am completly satisfied with my purchase. For the money i spent on the car i am so happy with the look of the car and how it drives. This is a wonderful starter car for me and i am so happy that i bought it.

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  Colorado Z71 EXT. I5 - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By caf - February 18 - 10:00 am

  GM did a great job with this truck. I was a little skeptical about the 5 cylindar idea, but this truck just blew me away. It climbs hills without any hesitation, it handles very car-like and it looks tough! And Im talking about the extended cab Z71 4x4. On a bumpy road, its a bit rough, but for normal driving, it terrific.

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  Trailblazers rule!! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By laurenLTtb20034x4 - February 18 - 10:00 am

  the trailblazer was the first suv we have ever purchased, we used to have a car then we moved to the country and we needed a 4x4 and the trailblazer is so reliable, it works great in the snow. the feul economy needs a little work but also we have to keep in mind that suvs do eat a lot of gas. overall i would reccomend this vehicle to anyone,trailblazers are very popular we have 6 in our neighborhood. trailblazers shouldnt get the bad review for the cheap inside look because its not a luxury vehicle its a down to earth vehice.