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:

• 

  A tad disapointed in this one - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jim - September 6 - 2:53 pm

  Nice design of the new body style. Very comfortable as well. But, why oh why has GM made the 1/2 ton trucks so low to the ground. Had to put a 2.5" leveling kit in the front to take that nose dive out of the front end. Also, they made a change in the steering that is way too responsive. The slightest little movement and youre going off into the next lane which does get very scarry with any hiway traffic. They put the radio controls a little out of reach so changing the station on the radio has become a frightening situation. The old steering response in my 2002 2500HD was great and a more relaxing drive. Now its more of a stressed drive than before. Why cant a good thing be left alone.

• 

  2011 Equinox 2LT V6 awd - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By cypress - September 6 - 10:00 am

  Love the features and drive of the new equinox; very nice leather seats; very comfortable ride. blue light interior lighting nice.

• 

  Great Looks... Little annoyances... - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By So Far So Good - September 5 - 1:36 pm

  I have owned the 2007 Tahoe for a month now. The looks of the Tahoe sold me, plus the idea of another child. I love driving the SUV. It is smooth, powerful, and drives nicely; not like a truck. Does anyone else get the Wind whistle noise around the driver side mirrors at highway speeds. Its annoying!

• 

  ZR2 package is the way to go - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Andrew M - September 4 - 9:15 pm

  I bought this car as my second, and I have not had any major problems with it, only minor. Rust on rear rotor caused weird noise, along with washer on driver door causing water to leak. Plastics are cheap inside the car and come apart/ blemish easily. The ride is excellent and it handles better than a truck should. It is a monster through the snow and the clearance is tall enough for anything. I would recommend this car for anyone who has to deal with off-road use as a common thing. Amazing off road and bad weather car, but because of small gear ratio, not that great of a highway car.

• 

  Its like riding in a limo - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Robs Place - September 4 - 8:06 am

  Sometimes my 6yr. old and I sit in the back of our Maxx with the seats fully stretched and watch movies while my wife becomes the limo driver. The skylight in the back really adds to the overall ambience. Its never been so much fun being a passenger. I recommend this car wholeheartedly.

• 

  Great Truck - 1992 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dekenney - September 2 - 5:26 pm

  Bought in 2001 from original owner with 118K miles. Put in new transmission at 156K, and other minor usual maintenance items. Engine still runs strong. Hauls all of our stuff on vacations, and decent gas mileage for a large SUV. Usual GM fit/finish issues when it come to the cheap plastics and door panels. Otherwise, its been a great truck. Will eventually replace with something similar.

• 

  Peggys Review - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By peggy629 - September 2 - 8:43 am

  I like my new Aveo, but the gas mileage is not what I expected or was reported. I think it should have a switch where you can lock doors from inside.

• 

  Lemon - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By r akers - September 2 - 7:56 am

  I have had nothing but trouble out of the transmission on this truck. I have had to have a sensor replaced in the 4wd 3 times due to the truck going into 4wd by itself. I have replaced the transfer case due to it having a tension crack to wear in it. The brakes have cost me over $1500 in the past year to be replaced. The drums are a real problem on this truck. I have had other problems with the truck.

• 

  Montecarlo - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By hastica - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! Rides smooth, very reliable. Comfortable for all riders( yes i have rode in the back) Plenty of space for luggage and other stuff. Used this car for myself and two friends to go to a nascar race, Very comfortable and roomy. Nice car for someone who want the sports look and room for the family!

• 

  Average Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mtbau - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I find this truck to be average. It has the steering thump noise, found in chevy trucks since 1999 that chevy wont solve. Also had mildew smell in the air conditioner, the dealer installed a circuit board to correct this. Also the truck has the common transmisson shudder on acceleration.