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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  Not Bad, Could be better... - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By EKP - November 27 - 6:26 am

  As a former Ford owner, I am a little disappointed. My Z71 has already been in the shop for over a week with misfiring issues in three seperate cylinders. Chevy has repaired, although they didnt give me a good explaination of what caused the problems. I LOVE the truck (ride, styling, 18MPG+, Power), but the reliability is clouding my mind. Only time will tell...

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  Perspective from a sporty car lover. - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Kenjan - November 26 - 10:00 am

  First of all I must confess, I used to hate trucks and SUVs. After my purchase of the Avalanche, I must confess I really fell in love with it. A lot of people complain about the fuel economy and the exterior styling, but I love the styling and buying the truck knowing the fuel economy, so that should not be the consideration factor. The ride is excellent even with the z71, the usefulness is amazing with the convert-a-cab, and most importantly, it is such a fun vehicle to drive. I would recommend this truck to anyone without reservation.

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  Awesome - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Tim - November 25 - 11:11 pm

  First Vette, hated previous generations. The C6 made me a believer. The C6 is awesome from a thank god six cogger tranny to a really nice interior. It is no Porsche but it no longer a fancy or more powerful mustang or camaro either. Try it you will love it. I sold my E500 for this I am am thrilled with it the new 6.2 is breathtaking and the optional exhaust cant be described must be heard. Also windows crack open when door opens a la BMW for an airtight seal. Way to go GM.

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  Perfect for a Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Joe! - November 22 - 9:30 am

  I have had this truck for 4 years and have put 71000 miles on it so far. I have yet to have any major problems with this truck. Also most of the minor problems were covered with in the 36000 mile warranty. The most recent and most annoying problems have been with the electrical system. It seems the truck has developed a short some where that no one can find. It keeps blowing the fuse for the driver seat and passenger window. I also have a tail light and running head light that goes on and off.

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  bills hatch - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By oldcoot - November 22 - 5:36 am

  Rock solid,so far. Good mileage,ride and handling. Good buy.

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  1992 Chevy S-10 Blazer saved life - 1992 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Anna - November 21 - 5:22 pm

  I bought this car in April 2007 owned it until it was totalled on October 28th 2007. This SUV saved my daughters life. She was cut off on the freeway and She veered to the left to avoid a collision. Consequently when she turned to avoid the collision. The Blazer went in an extreme arc to hit the center divider with most of the force of impact on the right front end of the truck. That impact then sent the car careening end over end, slightly kiddy corner completing at least a total of three revolutions then bouncing into the weeds on the exact opposite of the freeway with the truck coming to rest on its wheels, and still running, , facing oncoming traffic. She only sustained a concussion.

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  17 year old Corvette, still fun - 1990 Chevrolet Corvette
  By inaband - November 19 - 11:43 pm

  I have a C5, and I had a chance to buy this 1990, for cheap, could not turn it down, new clutch, great sound, needs detailing, but any C4 is a bargain these days, if you find one buy it. These are still simple enough to work on, except for the electrical issues that are hard to figure out...lucky for me, my car is fine.

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  Expected more from Chevy flagship pickup - 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tone11 - November 19 - 9:50 pm

  I have been a Bowie fan for sometime.Resently purchased a 2012 LTZ. Overall pleased with the truck other than the compleat lack of thought and enginering put into the interior.Too many small items are lacking that one would expect in a $46,000 vehicle.The center console is just 1 big box no pen holders,coin holders,tissue nothing my 2001 gmc had all these,my 2006 malibue has all these( hardly a top of the lineup for gm), No underwood light(although the bracket is there). the Eagle LS2 tires r pretty much a lowend tire for Goodyear.Even my owners Manuel and paperwork was given in pretty much a sandwich bag.Overall I like the truck, but GM needs to stop pinching pennies on a top tier truck.

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  Most fun inexpensive coupe you can get! - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Brian - November 19 - 11:38 am

  Bought my Z24 for $3000 in Dec. 2006, and I have loved every minute of driving it. It has more horsepower and torque than any available new car less then $20,000. I get 30 mpg driving in city highway traffic to work. Takes corners very well. Seats are pretty well designed except maybe a little too firm. The plastic upholstry cracks pretty. Had to replace quite a few standard wear and tear parts after I bought it but no water pump yet. I couldnt ask for more from a $3000 car.

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  Solid Transportation (but also generic) - 1995 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Ben - November 18 - 2:06 am

  Overall, a solid car. Got the car at 95k miles, now at 150k. Great fuel mileage (~30MPG). Big repairs: alternator, heater coil. Then the normal stuff--brakes, tires, oil changes. All in all, a very solid car. Tends to start hard in the rain (probably needs plugs and wires), but it gets from A to B with no major hassles. Not a big fan of the interior--the round knobs on the sides of the dash are okay, but power window controls are mounted on the front of the center console! Beware the high beam switch my turn signal lever snapped off trying to get the switch to work. Paint is peeling, and all four wheels have rusted out now, meaning a trip to the junk yard for "new" rims.