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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  So far, well, pretty good - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Logan - June 10 - 7:30 am

  I have a 1999 1500 LS with auto trans., 4.8 L, 2WD Xcab with 47000 miles on it now. I dont have any major complaints, however, I have recently had to replace the rear brake rotors and pads, the front brakes look OK. Four minor recalls for brake lines, seat belts and a sticking gas pedal, but this is the first year for the new model. I haul firewood and pull a bass boat ~30x/year and the truck handles it well. Gas mileage on the highway is ~20.5 miles/gallon (without a load), not bad for a V8.

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  Favorite car, ever. - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By B. Lennon - June 9 - 8:21 pm

  I bought this car used off dealer lot with 36,006 miles on it. I have experienced no significant problems with it other then routine maintenance. In fact I went to change the brake pads at 50K miles and could find almost no wear! The vehicle is solid and well built, no sqeaks rattles or annoyances. The IP is well laid out and convenient, not fanciful just functional. I especially appreciate the handling of the car, well balanced and fairly light driving for a truck, very similar to rear wheel drive cars from sixties and seventies, if you go back that far! It handles exceptionally well in ice and snow (Michigan), and I only engage the 4wd to keep the transaxle lubed! All in all a great car!

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  Chevy 2500 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Steve79 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I did a lot of research before I bought this truck. Im very pleased.

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  US Altima - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Depew - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Had the dealer prep me a new Impala LS and saw this car in the showroom, drove it and fell in love...same power lotzzza features all standard on the LT. Just love this car.

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  gotta have a Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ravenjr3 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is absolutely awesome the comfort and and ease it handles with are great. the only bad thing is the gas mileage is bad but i will never buy another make again except the Z71 Tahoe, but i also wish you did not have to pay for the Onstar and XM radio

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  1 year old - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jerry - June 8 - 4:22 pm

  Best riding SUV we tested- solid feel and handling - avg 17mpg Just took a road trip and got 21mpg on hwy. Tows heavy trailer with 2 yards of dirt with no strain. So far no mechanical issues.

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  We like our Chevy Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Iacono - June 8 - 1:11 am

  We have excelent service. Bought the seven year warranty and it has paid for itself. A good car for elderly folks [70 something].

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  A Neat Little Car - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By GOOSE4909 - June 7 - 5:26 pm

  Zips around neatly in traffic and has plenty of zip on the interstate. Decent gas mileage [I get about 36 overall]. Easy to enter and exit the vehicle. Seats could use a little more padding but you do sit up nice and straight.

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  Good for me. - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By John - June 7 - 4:49 pm

  As a student, I cant afford to waste money on repairs. So far with my Blazer, Ive only had to replace the wiper module($60). Everything else is running perfect at 53,000 miles. I do some city driving, but mostly highway and can get over 20 mpg if I drive it easy. Sometimes I haul friends around and Ive never had complaints with the interior space or cargo area. 4X4 is nice to have in the winter time.

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  Malibu meets the test - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By HighMileageDad - June 7 - 11:00 am

  The Malibu LT2 is a good vehicle with great gas milage. Being slightly smaller than the 2006 Impala, it is well worth the savings to purchase over the Impala if you do not have children or large passengers. Appealing to the eye, fun to drive, good gas mileage, a little noisy on the road, but a good car.