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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  03 Vette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Perry Hood - December 23 - 2:00 am

  The New Corvette is everything i thought it would be and more! It is powerful beyond belief yet refined. It is Sporty yet Stylish. It is a true sports car yet Luxurious. Plus it gets almost 20 mpg! Bravo Chevrolet! You done good, real good!

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  Work Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Swine - December 23 - 2:00 am

  My vehicle is a work truck assigned to me by the California State Parks. As an Archaeologist, I have found that the off-road capability and passenger/cargo capabilities have made it a good vehicle. Since about 80% of my mileage is off-road, I have shredded the cheap Firestone tires, and have constant emissions problems (the air intake box is not nearly heavy duty enough). Also, the air conditioner filter is inadequate. Finally, the build quality is slightly cheap, and pieces (molding, lights, etc..)routinely fall off (the snap back on though).

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  GREAT TRUCK! 2001 Z71 327 (5.3) - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ken Jensen - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck new. It has been a wonderful truck with great performance! I tested Dodge and Ford but the Chevy handled better and had more power. I get 16 miles to the gallon with 285 HP. This truck will get up and move. I owned a 2000 Z71 3 door with the same engine and since it did not have the limited slip rear axel it spun in the rain badly without 4x4 selected. My 2001 now has the limited slip. Get a Pewter colored truck. It never looks dirty until deer season!

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  Trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Gnarley - December 23 - 2:00 am

  No extensions on sun visor nor adjustment to second row seats!! it stands straight up!!

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  Overrated Mileage!!!! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mileagesux - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Sticker posts 15/21 MPG, I have never hit anything higher than 17 on the interstate, 13 in the city. Dealer and GM cust service claims its "normal" and may improve "once broken in" (i.e. once its too late to return.) Asked about the extreme difference between sticker mileage and actual, I was told "I dont know, I dont write the stickers". Interior cheap looking with roughly moulded plastic. Seat doesnt go back far enough. Uncomfortable for a 6 ft man. Nice ride, lots of space and power. if you buy, expect no more than 13-15 MPG!!

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  Z71 Package - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jason - December 22 - 1:10 am

  The current rebates and GM Employee incentive pricing brought me back to the Chevy dealership. I brought the Z71 for about $2,000 below invoice. The power is good since I purchased the power package and the exterior trim is great. The majority of the features are great and there are numerous electronic gadets more than the other brand trucks. The satellite radio is nice extra, which GM does own XM (Great self promotion). In most reviews, the quality of the interior is lacking, which I found to be true in my case. GM needs to upgrade the interior quality and design. It was not much different than my 2000 Silverado interior. At the current price it was a worthwhile buy.

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  Blew away all Expectations - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lenny - December 20 - 10:46 pm

  Ive been driving for over 35 years and have owned more new cars than I care to count. I bought the Cobalt after shopping around for a month or so. It was way ahead of anything in its price range. I have over 5,000 miles on it and have yet had to return to the dealer for anything but an oil change. Its solid with one of the best build qualities Ive seen. I love this car. I bought the LT-2 in Ultra Silver and black leather interior. Everyone compliments me on how sporty she looks. It has every otption but power seats and all for under 19000 out the door. The electronic steering is a dream. The stereo blows away anything Ive heard. I highly recommend this car.

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  Good Gas Mileage! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Lightfoot - December 20 - 3:50 pm

  Just checked my mileage for "city driving" and I get 20 mpg. I drive up and down a mountain twice a day - and I am thrilled with the mileage. I cant believe the leg room front and rear. The radio and window controls are user friendly - especially like the radio controls on the steering wheel. Rides and handles with comfort and ease of a sedan - not like most SUVs.

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  3500 Silverado Dually - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Fred Thomas - December 20 - 12:36 pm

  I recently purchased a Silverado 3500 Vortex Diesel 6.6. I find this vehicle to be responsive and a pure pleasure to drive. The interior of this truck fits a person of my stature. My wife enjoys the heated seats, the OnStar feature, the leather interior and the DVD player. My future endeavor with my vehicle will be to see how a 39 foot Montana fifth wheel trailer is pulled. Cant wait. I recently took it out of town about 300 miles pulling through the grapevine, was a dream while leaving the other vehicles in my rear view mirror. Looking forward to taking it to the snow in Nevada. I looked at the rest and this is the best.

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  Chevy Z71 1500 Silverado - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chris Dauterman - December 19 - 12:03 pm

  The truck really is built well! The center console is setup perfectly for a work truck, with more storage than any truck on the market. However, the seating is more luxurious and far more comfy than the Titan. The Z71 package offers up everything you would want to add-on after the purchase. This is my first new Chevy, although I had driven an 83 for awhile. Great price - Out the door for 27K, 3.99% financing, and 3K cash rebate. Super dealership with great people and a knack for customer service.