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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  Like a rock - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Joe Harper - January 6 - 7:13 pm

  Bought this truck two years ago. This is a fun, powerful, mean, attention grabbing truck. It is not quick or nimble but has incredible highway manners. The 6.0 engine is sublime on cruise at 80 mph and at idle. Only had two problems in that time, the instrument cluster (replaced by the dealer under a recall) and a steering wheel shaft bearing. After thinking I was hearing a knock in the engine, I read about using 89 octane and the knocking stopped and I got 10% better mileage. The stock tires were 245/65/16 or about 29 inches, theyre just too puny for this truck. 265/75/16 is pretty standard on these, and Load Range E is a must, I see 15-16 mpg highway. Do yourself a favor, get a Chevy.

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  Tight and Quiet - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jville1 - January 6 - 1:44 am

  Just passed the 1k mark and everything is go, except the bluetooth links to my Iphone about 80% of the time. Been to the dealer. Reflashed but still problem persists. I give up and have just learned to live with it. I have a regular cab 2014 Silverado WT2 4.3 that I love for its more compact size. Doesnt create a hazard when parking at the local Publix. When in the shop for the bluetooth problem, I was provided a 2014 5.3 extended cab. Think the 4.3 is actually peppier and slightly more economical. Save your money and opt for the 4.3 for everyday use. Taken back by the rude treatment I received from the dealer service writer. Not treated with loyalty as I am at the VW dealership.

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  My Malibu is great - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Leslie - January 5 - 10:03 pm

  This car is much nicer than I thought. Ive always liked Malibus, but the new body and nice angle on dash is great. It drives great, and its great on gas. Love my new Chevy!

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  Overall Satisfaction - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By 04 Impala LS - January 5 - 12:11 pm

  Very satisfied. Gas mileage not as much as I thought would be about 24 mpg. A few warranty issues with brakes and rotors, speedometer, steering column, paint chipping on volume button for steering wheel. Luckily everything covered under warranty. Very nice car otherwise

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  A Chevy disappointment - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Johnny B - January 5 - 9:56 am

  Ecstatic was my state for the first 4 months of ownership. No accidents. But In the 2 yrs of ownership, Tahoe was shop ridden 3 times for steering column lubrication and twice for electronics defects. Chevy and GMC know about the poorly designed steering column. however, they refuse to replace it instead only temporarily fix with lubrication package and it is underwarranty. So now I am stuck with a $40K quazi-lemon worth only $22k bc of the poorly held value of Chevy. I have grown up a Chevy guy, and still love the power and drive of the 05 Tahoe, but the mechanical problems of this brand new vehicle are a huge dissapointment. Sorry Chevy, but I am going to look at Toyotas.

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  A Keeper! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Chris - January 5 - 8:45 am

  As a first time truck owner, I was a little unsure of what to truly expect after driving it off of the lot. After driving the truck for about 2 months now, I can say that I made a good decision! The truck responds quickly to driver input, with very little delay at highway speed. The only negative I have is the response off of the line. Low end torque needs to be adjusted. Other than that, the Colorado is a versatile little horse. Its a keeper!

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  Good truck, but noTacoma - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By DT Colorado - January 3 - 6:36 pm

  I bought my 04 Colorado Crewcab Z71 4WD used with 20,000 miles. I think its the best US build compact crewcab truck. Overall I like the truck. GM did a good job with the design and its a good driving truck. So for Ive had to replace a headlight assembly, front axle seal and CV shaft, and the auto dimming/compass rear view mirror. All were warranty repairs but it seems odd given the low mileage. I really wanted a Tacoma. I guess should expect a few problems since I saved approx. $6000-$7000.

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  From Suburban and Jeep - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By OUTERBANK5 - January 3 - 3:59 pm

  Front end probs fixed twice. First front weheel drive vehicle in a while.

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  World Class - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By J. CASTILLON - January 2 - 5:50 pm

  Best vehicle Ive ever purchased. Weve taken 3 vacation trips 2 to Florida, 1 to our nations capitol just after 9/11. The interior creature comforts in ours made every trip enjoyable. We felt confident on the mechanial reliablity, and have had no problems. With over 88,000 miles traveled, to countless soccer, baseball, and footbal practices, and games. My wife thought it was too big at first. Now she has claimed as her own. The kids, and dog love it too. Some of her friends prefer it to their vehicle because of the heated seats, and cargo space (etc.) when they go shopping. We have others who are amazed at the ride, and condition for a vehicle. Someday I hope to claim it as mine own again.

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  2000 ZR2 crumbling away - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By MrGNMan - January 2 - 11:05 am

  Purchased new and maintained religiously by dealer and me. All highway mileage with 75000 on original tires. Got brakes had to replace all 4 rotors? Couldnt even cut them once! Dealer replaced intake gasket with a better design from GM. I have to pay! Transmission had corroded sensors and actuaters $1000 just for parts! Last 6 months $3200. in repairs which should not have been necessary! Had an 89 S10 4x4 that had 275k on it and still was running strong when I sold it for a newer, "better" truck. Im sure that truck is still going strong. The dealer wants to sell me another truck as a solution! Not!