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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  Love my Cavalier - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jennybear - March 31 - 1:36 pm

  This is my second cavalier. The first one I had was a 91 and Chevy had made major improvements by 2000. I bought my vehicle second hand at 30,000 miles, and have loved the drive ever since. She is good in the snow. (as good as you can get without 4 wheel drive) She is dependable. The only part that I have had to repeatedly replace is a chip in the dash for the heat. I have only had to replace this 2 times in 10 years so that is not bad. Plus its a cheap part to replace, like 10 dollars. Otherwise a little cramped in the back seat, but as a driver comfortable seats, fun to drive, dependable, durable, and I think Ill try to keep it for another 10 years.

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  376,000 miles and still running perfect - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Curtis - March 30 - 11:09 pm

  My 04 Colorado Z71 crew cab has 376,000 as of yesterday and looks like it did when I got it except for the cracks in the windshield. The rear end wore out and had all the stuff inside it replaced at 360,000 for $1800.00. Engine does not use any oil I use Amsoil in the engine transmission and rear end. I am going to replace the tires soon this will be the 3rd set this set of tires has almost 160,000 miles on them. If you want to stop cupping on the inside of your front tires have them align the front tires straight up and down and keep air pressure about 40-42 pounds.

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  Beautiful Beast - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By AlexL - March 30 - 8:17 pm

  Bought my Camaro last August under the Cash for Clunkers program with GM employee discount, needless to say it was a great deal. Car has exceeded expectations when it comes to ride, performance and body structure rigidity. I have always owned smaller cars so the size of this car took some getting used to at first. Word of advice if you are considering this car: this car handles well and sticks like glue in corners, but it is not a nimble sports car (i.e. a Subaru Impreza WRX is a nimble sports car). You feel the weight even in the V6, although I hear the V8 feels even heavier. In the end, this car was obviously designed to be eye candy first, functionality second.

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  Rust bucket - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By sandy smith - March 30 - 8:07 pm

  My neighbor and I both bought aveo hatchback not long after buying it the back was replaced 2 times rusting inside to out. Now all the doors are rusting on inside under the rubber on top of doors. They said they got parts from Korea and they rust during shipment. So much for new cars rust bucket. I only have 23,500 miles on mine but now have to get rid of it before Im only left with engine. Roof rusting as well hers and mine. I had mine rust proofed as soon as I bought it

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  Just cant let it go - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Andy - March 29 - 10:14 pm

  Ive had this truck since 2006. It was an intentionally sought out buy, and overall, Im glad I bought it. I think the more people/weight/cargo, the better it drives and handles (minus the very weak braking). It is extremely comfortable, quick enough in its own right, and handles well. Economically, MPG are less than desirable (mine are about 10/11 and around 13 highway). Little did I know at the time of purchase, but this was a fleet vehicle that was very poorly maintained. It was beaten up pretty badly, but with some TLC, a new transmission, and routine maintenance, its a fine riding, good looking truck.

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  Nothing but praise! - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By JB - March 29 - 5:05 pm

  Purchased vehicle new for hauling the family and a utility trailer. After 217,000 miles of use that has expanded to include long road trips loaded to the max, towing an enclosed snowmobile trailer in Maine, many off road excursions in Maine and Colorado, and now towing a 23 travel trailer in the Rockies this truck has performed flawlessly. Besides general maintenance I have replaced a water pump, fuel pump, alternator, and rotors, once. The engine has never been opened except to replace an intake gasket. It is just now starting to burn some oil when pressed hard. Every single function on this vehicle still works. The transmission and brake issues have been resolved. This vehicle is awesome

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  Best Bang For My 31K - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By shortround - March 29 - 4:41 pm

  Lt1, jewel coat, 2nd row captains chairs, towing pkg. Hard fought battle down to the cx-9 / traverse. 2mos of digging, reading forums, comparing. Arcadia, enclave, pilot, Veracruz out (between 3-10k higher for the same 3rd row, awd features). Had I more money to spend, I may have considered 1 of the others. Fit and finish was very good. Interior was good, but with power port to close to cup holder on console. Exceptional ride and responsive handling. Mileage hwy den-cheye @70-78, as advertised. 6 on exterior design, front clip has to much drag. Cheesy top rail design, good for collecting debris, dirt, and pine needles. If youre going to design such a rail, do so with a top cap! Otherwise ++++

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  This is one of the best cars ever had - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By campbell - March 29 - 12:21 am

  If you only could find an ltz 2003 trail Blazer you would be more than happy with it have one and would never think of getting rid of it best car in many ways for the money havent had to put a dime in it other than the fuel and oil changes friends have blazers that are at 300,000 miles and still going strong if some one says its bad they probably dont have one

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  BigD1276s 2010 Camaro 2LT - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bigd1276 - March 28 - 5:18 pm

  I have had my 2010 Camaro for almost a year now. It is still fun to climb in the cockpit and take her out for a drive. The V-6 engine has 304 horsepower which is plenty enough to get you where you are going. The leather seats are comfortable and easily adjusted. 6 speed manual transmission is smooth with short throws. I love my 2010 Camaro and cant wait to drive it again.

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  Snow White - 1990 Chevrolet Suburban
  By tractornuts - March 28 - 4:15 pm

  I traded for this Suburban 2years ago and since then we drove it about 30.000 miles with a bad knock in the motor and it never used a drop of oil or smoked, nor did it let us down once, it now has a new crate motor, and a new life, I have owned, a lot of cars and now, I wish, I would have just bought one of these first, and saved myself a lot of disappointment, you could not find, a more dependable, comfortable, good looking rig! I will take, mine to my grave, Sorry for anyone who has not discovered their quality.