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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  Issues with the 2001 Ive had - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chevy driver - September 24 - 10:00 pm

  Ive always driven chevy trucks, they always been tanks< I make work and play hard. The 2001 has given me more issues than older models. The first was the fuel pump in the tank, very expensive to fix thru the dealer, 2nd bad knock on cold start up,Power window motor,replaced whole brake system(hard time finding the correct fuel line,didnt match dealer PN,fuel injectors,front end work and just put in a new transmission, Ive had a bad vibration which thru process of elimination I think is the driveshaft, by the time Im done I will have a new truck,but I work it hard but not trashing it, for what they cost I expect it to do the work like the older models,I am disappointed in chevy

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  Value, Fun, Good Mileage - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Rammer - September 22 - 3:57 pm

  I use my new Aveo hatch 5 speed for both work and personal use. I am getting close to my first oil change, and have been very pleased with my car. Good pick up, great mileage if you can keep from exceeding the speed limit. Design - basic, clean, and it works. Its a head turner for a small car. No long trips yet, but I know if I keep at double nickels, the mileage is great, so I sacrifice some time and get to smell some roses.

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  My Mistress - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Merrit - September 21 - 6:59 pm

  Better adjustable seats would be nice and the interior could be better compared to the Euro cars I have. Performance and fun factor is unbeatable. This car is the best bang for any dollar. Need a change holder instead of a lighter/cig tray. If you can, buy one!

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  I like em "low and wide" - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By jimmie guillory - September 21 - 4:43 pm

  This was the last year for this model. Now Chevy has gone to the tall and narrow styling which has no appeal for me. My Monte Carlo has been a reliable and comfortable piece of transportation. And the gas mileage on the hiway approches 30 mpg. Not too shabby!

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  general - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By crack007 - September 21 - 3:16 am

  Bought the truck to pull a cattle trailer 28 triple axle which it does well. I average 7 to 8 pulling and 10 to 13 local 14 to 16 hwy only. It pulls very well but the seats leave a lot to be wanted had an 05 z71 the seats were so much nicer to look at and more comfortable! I pull a load 6 hrs one way twice a month total weight of 27 to 31 kg. It pulls it well just wish it got better mpg empty. I can accept 7 pulling the dmax only gets 9 and the price diff isnt worth my two 600 mile trips twice a month for 5 yrs that I will own it. However the 6.0 pwr stroke guys do get upset whenever you pass them pulling the same load up a hill. But it is turning 4500 to 5000 rpm to pass them.

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  Great (big) SUV - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ptlytch07 - September 20 - 4:33 pm

  This is my third Suburban since 1999. I absolutely love this vehicle and there is nothing else on the market that comes close in terms of size and seating capacity. We have a very large family (6 kids) and they can all sit fairly comfortably, although the backseat is a tight fit for teenagers. The front seats are incredibly comfortable and this vehicle is great for long trips. The fuel economy is terrible, but what do you expect from something of this size and weight? My only complaint is that Chevrolet went really cheap in order to save money and took out little amenities like a glove box light and an engine light to make more profit.

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  Ugly Duckling Turns Out to be Swan - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By jwoodie - September 20 - 10:20 am

  Too bad GM made this quintessential wagon so ugly on the outside (typical of their afterthought stretch versions) and has now decided to kill it. This vehicle does everything in great comfort and reasonable economy (14-18 with V8 4wd 3.73 axle). I have The North Face edition with two-tone paint (looks much better). Dont worry about wind noise from roof rack- just move back front crossbar (like it says in the owners manual). This ones a keeper!

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  URBAN LEGEND - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By gholtz - September 20 - 10:00 am

  FOR THE PRICE, THIS IS AN EXCELLENT SUV. THE NEW QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOTEWORTHY. MOST OF ALL, THE POWERFUL INLINE 6CYL AND MULTI-STAGE TORQUE FUNCTIONS MAKE THE POWER AND TORQUE PERFORMANCE SECOND TO NONE. THE HANDLING AND RIDE CHARACTERISTICS ARE EXCELLENT. WHY THIS VEHICLE IS SO UNDER-RATED IS A MYSTERY TO ME. THIS SUV ROCKS.

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  Solid functional vehicle - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By roscoe38 - September 19 - 7:54 pm

  I purchased the car w/ 28000 miles on it in 03. I put around 10000 miles a year on it. No major issues except for the intake gasket which I had to replace. Replaced mine at 58000 mis, cost me $500 plus. Other than that, nothing but the typical maintenance and upkeep. A solid ride, if rather bland, but performance is adequate. Inexpensive to keep on the road and has yet to fail me. Starts easily, runs well, decent on gas. Again, rather unspectatcular styling, but functional. Great choice for second car

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  Great SUV! - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Great SUV!! - September 19 - 10:50 am

  Ive owned my Blazer for almost 11 years, and I am the original owner. With 218,000+ miles what can I say? We have had a recurring problem with the EGR valve and oxygen sensor but other than routine repairs we have had no problems. Replaced the main belt at 125,000 miles and finally replaced the muffler system at 210,000 miles. Also replaced the fuel pump at 212,000 miles. Rest of the equipment is still original.