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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  Eh, just ok - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jack - June 17 - 11:06 am

  I have owned the vehicle for almost three years. No crazy stories to tell, been a good vehicle. I have the 4.8 which really is fine if you dont want to pull anything. My complaint is the constant upshift for hills. In fact driving across Missouri in a snowstorm, the wind was enough to make it downshift. My brother who has the 5.3 states his is worse because you have to lay on the pedal to make it downshift causing loss of speed at every hill. Good solid truck, few rattles, but solid. The factory American general tires are worthless though, they got me about 28k and were shot-mpg is about 15 hwy/city but about 13 pulling a jet ski. I will probably upgrade in near future.

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  Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mspie - June 17 - 10:00 am

  Driving the vehicle is nice. It picks up speed good. The steering is not stiff. Car accessories are in easy to reach places.

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  05 Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By plyerhtr99 - June 17 - 10:00 am

  good overall. i wish the fuel economy was a little better. i dont get the mileage that it says its suppose to have!

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  Disappointed with GM - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rdmuri - June 17 - 10:00 am

  Have taken two extended trips and average 17mpg. Engine performance is acceptable, except to pull any grades must keep in trailering mode to keep trans from downshifting and over- reving. Have 12000 miles now and at 5000 developed clunk in the trans/driveline that is getting worse. GM says "normal" and refuses to fix. Cab roof is flimsy--buckles if windows rolled down at 60mph.

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  Back to American - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Charlie Crosby - June 17 - 7:23 am

  Very nice SUV. Great paint job. Wife likes as much as her BMW. Only complaint I have are the front brakes, in 36000 miles we have had to have the brakes done twice. I have never had brake problem with any other vehicle that we have owned.

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  Not as good as they used to be - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By mtimmer - June 15 - 8:03 pm

  I bought this car because I have a 97 Prizm that I have really liked and been impressed with. While most aspects of the 01 model are better, the reliability has decreased in my opinion. Ive had multiple problems with it within the first 6 months of ownership- most of them fairly minor, but a couple fairly expensive. The dealer replaced several sensors under warranty, but several other things have gone wrong since the warranty expired. Most alarmingly, the engine seems to be burning a lot of oil (about 1 quart every 1000 miles), especially considering that it only has 63,000 miles on it. If only was as reliable as my bullet-proof 97 Prizm.

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  Job Well Done - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jdsax85 - June 14 - 11:55 pm

  In the past year, I have commuted 100 miles a day to school, 5,000 miles in three months of training, and have turned my Tahoe into my rolling office. Ride quality on the highway is superb, an estimated gas mileage of 18 mpg. If head gaskets, air conditioning sensors, and factory CD player havent been replaced yet, expect to do so. The seats are incredibly comfortable and there is was enough room for four adult males and their gear during our three months of training. Several people have commented on the ride quality and feel it is better than their Z71 pick-ups or even 2004 F-150 with the suspension outside the frame. Well-built vehicle and would highly reccomend.

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  02 Trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Sterk0414 - June 14 - 6:23 pm

  Once you get past the fact that you will only get a max of 16 miles per gallon youll love this truck. Its got plenty and good pick up for the size of the SUV. This was my first SUV purchase after driving only little sports cars and im not sure if I can switch back.

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  Z71 - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Chevydude - June 14 - 2:00 am

  I got my Z71 Suburbon in January 2002 and drove it 18,000 miles with no maintence needed. Its been a great car. Absolutly no complaints

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  Youg Opinion - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Coonass - June 14 - 2:00 am

  This truck is fun and comfortable. It has lots of buttons to play with, and lots of power to keep me happy.