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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  Need some improvements - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By soft ride - February 25 - 11:48 am

  I have owned this car for a year, had some trouble with the front end, other then that, it has been a pretty good car so far. It could be better on gas and comfort on long trips for the passengers. The only thing I do not like is the middle seats do not have arm rests for the passengers, so they do not like to ride in the car.

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  my first maxx - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By blueoleander - February 24 - 8:06 pm

  I bought a 2006 maxx ss model BRAND NEW in sept. 2009. For all you maxx lovers there is one more left, brand new in silver, ss model with dvd player, onstar and 2 sunroofs. Anyway, smooth quiet ride, lots of power, nice interior, awesome AC, lots of features. I like the adjustable gas/brake pedals, you can move them closer to you with push of button!

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  Cracking up over my Chevy - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By VBS 1999 - February 24 - 4:24 pm

  It is pretty reliable so far EXCEPT for the battery life. My battery died on me within the first 2 years that I had the car. Never left the lights on, just wouldnt start. It happened again 2 year - 2/12 years later. Guess what, on my 3rd battery now and it did it again. Interior is garbage quality and the body is garbage quality. The dashboard piece that meets the windshield cracked for no reason. Dealership never offered to replace the part since the warantee expired. The darn thing started cracking around year 2. Did I mention that the power windows dont work as of 6 months ago? I loved my Z24, alot of great memories, but wont buy another Chevy ever again. Toyota...here I come!!!

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  Solid like a rock - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By lovethetruck - February 24 - 12:16 pm

  Great all around truck for me. Love the exterior, sharper than all of the competition. The interior isnt anything special, but its a truck, not a Cadillac. On long trips my right leg sits uncomfortable due to the transmission hub while using the cruise. But, I am 64". I dont haul much, so it was a great fit. Engine has plenty of power and does all that I ask of it. I dont hot rod around town but when I press the gas, its always been there. Feels like it has more if I needed it. Very fun in snow. The truck brakes well, it doesnt seem to nose-dive at quick stops (could be the Z71 suspension). I averaged 20 mpg all around for the last year. Not one regret since I bought.

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  Got to Love it ! - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Sean - February 24 - 10:14 am

  I purchased this vehcile for two reasons. First just always wanted one, Ive always owned GM products from my 69 Camaro, 71 Chevelle, Sonoma pick up, to Grand Prix and multiple other vehicles. Second of all safety for my large family and towablity.

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  Very Good Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By gunnin4six - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Truly enjoy driving this vehicle. Mileage has been surprisingly high for a truck this size (16-20mpg), and that includes 2000 miles a year towing a 2500lb boat. The quality has been a slight disappointment, it has been to the shop on 5 seperate occasions for minor warranty repairs over the first 2 years. Also, the interior is made up of a fair amount of cheap plastic. All and all, its a very good truck, and still the best true sport utility out there.

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  Good Family Hauler - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Al_in_OK - February 23 - 11:01 pm

  Bought this SUV with 83K miles at 4 yrs old. Only major problem we had was a fuel pump/filter that died while on vacation--yuck! Mechanic said it happens to 1/2 of these beasts after 100K. Other normal maintenance and tires used, but nothing else to report. Besides the 16 MPG, we love this SUV. Looking into conversion to bi-fuel on propane or gasoline to save money in the long run.

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  Reliable - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Chris Jones - February 23 - 1:43 pm

  I drive my car harder and farther than most people yet, I have had this car for 4 years and have never had a problem. Handles OK in snow w/ 4WD, would be better w/ a heavier back end.

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  Solid performer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Scott - February 23 - 11:43 am

  This is the wifes daily driver. It was a good combination of size, space and cost. Overall very reliable, the only issues weve had were known to GM : A/C sensor causing A/C to not function intermittently and reverse lamp not lighting intermittently. Both issues were addressed free of charge within warranty. In order to utilize fold-down seats, front seats must be pulled forward. This is a problem for me (61" tall), and basically makes that feature useless on long trips.

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  Ive never had a problem. - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Psychpilot - February 22 - 8:30 pm

  I was very hesitant to buy this "hybrid" SUV/Pickup. I need a truck, but not all the time. The dealer made a great offer. I am very, very pleased with the Avalanches performance and reliability. There are only two things I can nitpick about ... the fuel economy (which is the same for all pickups) and the big turning radius. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.