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:

• 

  Total Truck - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Graham Bowman - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This truck drives and handles like a car.Very comfortable on long trips towing a thirty foot trailer.

• 

  Surprisingly solid so far! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Sabrina in L.A. - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased the Aveo and find it to be amazingly solid for an economy car! The ride is smooth on the street and the highway, and I feel safe in it. The Aveo is superior to the Kia Rio when it comes to its design, both inside and out. Kia may offer a longer warranty, but you wont feel like youre driving a reliable car at all. Its a zippy, sporty car and if the Honda Civic had a little sister, the Aveo would be it.

• 

  Excellence = Monte Carlo Supercharger - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Supercharged Lady - July 21 - 2:00 am

  A striking car that get 2nd glances and positive comments from both sexes and all ages. Reasons for choosing this car ... I was drawn to the gorgeously designed 2004 Supercharger engine and body, no other car in its class had as many useful features or as much style. No other make of car this size offered the design features this car has ... absolutely beautiful.

• 

  Great vehicle for towing! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By queenbee - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I love my truck! I tow about 7500 lbs of weight - horses & trailer regularily & it is just great. The gas mileage is bad - about 7 mpg when Im hauling hills & long distances, but its effortless & the tank is big. The cab is comfortable, stereo is great, lots of leg room, pretty good visability once you get used to the small back window. Small woman/big truck! Love it!

• 

  suburban review - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By tom t - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I have 12000 miles on it now in 3 months and it has been perfect. Only problem I have had was the keyless entry had to be reprogrammed. It handles pretty well for a large SUV. Plenty of power for towing as we do have things to tow. If you need a lot of room for hauling or kids this is the vehicle. My job requires me to have a full load of cargo in this truck and I love all the room. I was headed for a tahoe and my wife talked me into the suburban and I now thank her for it.

• 

  DEPENDABLE - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By C C Crouch - July 21 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY 12TH SUBURBAN I HAVE PURCHASED. I FIRST STARTED DRIVING SUBURBANS WHEN WE STARTED A FAMILY AND HAD SMALL CHILDREN. BUT AS OUR CHILDREN GREW UP AND HAD FAMILIES OF THEIR OWN I CONTINUED TO DRIVE A SUBURBAN. FOR OUR LIFESTYLE THEY ARE PERFECT AND ALWAYS VERY DEPENDABLE. AT ONE POINT BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I WERE BOTH DRIVING SUBURBANS. NOW OUR GROWN CHILDREN ARE DRIVING SUBURBANS FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

• 

  Corvette Z06 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By David Newton - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Lots of fun to drive. Limited production. Love the power and brakes.

• 

  satisfied - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By robert henry - July 20 - 10:00 am

  very able auto. alot of features and safety for the money. rich look to the body

• 

  2003 Silverado 4wd xcab - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By scott1450 - July 19 - 12:56 pm

  I like the truck. Bought it used 1 owner, low miles. Hasnt let me down, but has required some parts and upgrading, all of which I do myself to avoid being jacked up by the dealer. Was quite shocked at the quality of oem parts compared to years past. In one year, she needed aftermarket rotors and brakes, as the oem parts are trash. A power steering pump. Rusted lines at the pump. U joints were dried out, rusted and fused together. Underbody rust is atrocious. Front shocks gone at 55k. No engine or trans problems. Some areas are overdone and others are thrown together. Overall, I got what I paid for in todays market.

• 

  A big SUV for a big guy - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By FRW - July 19 - 10:35 am

  This is my second Tahoe Z71. My 03 was somewhat of a lemon. A beautiful vehicle, but with a number of small and one large problem. I took a chance and bought another and I am glad I did. I am a big guy 6 ft 250 and need a big vehicle. I love this truck. It is comfortable, roomy, good off road and in bad weather. It carries pretty much everythig I need to carry and can pull what cant be carried. Does everybody need a full size SUV, no. But America is the land of choices and I am glad that I have the choice to own a Tahoe. My wife owns a Land Cruiser that cost $15,000 more and it doesnt have near the power, comfort, room, amenities or gas mileage(the Tahoes could be better).