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:

• 

  Great truck but a gas guzzler - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dee - February 22 - 2:08 am

  The truck runs great and the ride is comfortable with excellent handling. Only complaint is that gas mileage is very poor and visibility when backing up is horrible

• 

  2004 S10 Crewcab - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By oldpawdad - February 22 - 1:14 am

  I have a hard cover on the bed, so I call it my 4WD car with a large trunk. My wife and I have been to Florida and also to WV and we like the truck. Only 19 mpg on the road with the 3:73 axle, but good acceleration.

• 

  Fun car to have/drive - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Rebelord - February 20 - 1:29 am

  Its a fun car to drive. The power is exceptional and it seems to never end. The handling is also very superb, as well is the braking. Like they say, its a cheap mans Corvette. I have had good gas-mileage with the car, mostly on the highway. In the city it can eat up some gas. The seats are so-so for long trips. Needs more lumbar support and better, softer bottom cushions. The exterior styling takes some getting used to as well as the interior could have gotten a bit more attetion. However, your mind is completely taken away from those slight flaws once you roll into acceleration. Its amazing that GM outpowers and out handles its competitors with "aged" technology.

• 

  Best Buy! - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By golfone - February 18 - 2:00 am

  At present I have about 7,000 miles on a coupe bought new in Sept. 02. Avg. over 24 miles to gal. mostly freeway driving. power to spare and no problems so far. One complaint the stereo is marginal at best. Interior could be better, but fit and finish, particularly the paint is excellent, far better than past Vettes.

• 

  Bad Experience - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Martha Garza - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I been driving my Tahoe for about a year now, but had to take to get repairs about 4 to 5 times now. I am very dissapointed, because they even replaced my fuel pump when it wasnt even a year long..It is hard to belive that I am having this kind of problems with a new vehicle.

• 

  CHEVY TRUCKS ARE #1 - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By THEREV - February 18 - 2:00 am

  IF YOU HAVE KIDS YOU NEED THIS TRUCK. THE OTHERS DONT EVEN COMPAIR IN INTERIOR ROOM.(YOU KNOW YOU DONT REALLY WANT THE FORD SUPERCREW).

• 

  My Review - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By cargeek5 - February 18 - 1:26 am

  The new design was realy comfortable and the engine was powerful. I can tow very easily.

• 

  This truck does what you need it to do - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Steven - February 17 - 2:39 am

  I couldnt be happier with my truck. It has decent passing speed to get around annoying drivers. Plenty of horses for a 4 cyl 5 speed. Does better on fuel than I expected. Im getting about 25 on the highway and about 16 in the city. The ride is sweet when you arent taking it down dirt roads. There is plenty of room inside and comfortable seating, but if you want to lay the seat back and snooze, forget it! The seat wont even move. But if you want a truck that will do what you need it to do and not empty out your bank account or drink a lot of fuel, you gotta get this truck.

• 

  I Thought I Would Never Buy American - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ken Chief - February 17 - 2:07 am

  I was on my way to pick up a Toyota Seq. and stopped at one last dealership. My wife fell in love with the Suburban and I have been stuck with driving our minivan ever since. We travel a lot with our 3 kids and always have a lot of gear. With kids, get the split bucket seats in the back for easy entry to the far rear seat. I have towed my 3,000 lb boat with a loaded truck on a 2500 mile trip and it was a breeze. Its been about 18k now and not a problem yet. We love the room, comfort, DVD system and the handling in the snow. I am very impressed. If it werent for the employee pricing last year, I would have never stopped to check it out. I have owned Highlander, Camry, Odyssey, Audi

• 

  Love my Z! - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By SHVD98Z24 - February 16 - 1:51 am

  I bought this car used with 23000 miles on it and it now has 41000 miles on it....6 years later....I know...I only drive it 3000 miles a year but its a blast. I have done bodywork and stereo systems, lowered it, big rims, you name it. The stock parts hold up well. It isnt like the foreign cars where you have to upgrade 2 other things to upgrade one. The engine is strong...as strong as any non turbo foreign motor. The only problems I have ever had are electrical and thats from adding stuff on. The ignition system is pretty complicated in these cars.