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:

• 

  Convinced me to buy American - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Beagleboy99 - December 2 - 9:33 am

  Ive owned a lot of cars over the 35+ years I have been driving, and consider myself a "car guy". Ive owned mostly Japanese-Honda, Subaru, etc. Approaching a mid life crisis, I was looking for a car to accompany me on that journey. Im a big guy, and wanted some comfort, and I usually carry a lot of stuff, even some lumber once in a while. I saw the first 2 MonteCarlo SSs on my local dealer lot, and loved the retro look. One of my favorite cars was the 1973 Monte, and this captured that essence nicely but updated. This car was impressively well made (Canada), was very comfortable and very reliable after a 6 month rough period at first. This was a winner for GM, sorry to see that it is gone

• 

  04 Colorado - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By awilson - December 1 - 9:53 pm

  I love the Colarado. After shopping around quite a bit I decided on it because it was the perfect size for me. It is very reliable and fun to drive. I have only had one minor problem and that was with my stop light switch wearing out. That is probably from all the driving I do!!! I live in the country so I put a lot of miles on my truck and it still drives just like it did when I first got it. I think that the biggest thing that I do not like about it is the interior. I think that Chevrolet could have done a little bit better with that!!! Overall, it is a great truck and I will definitely buy another one when the time comes!!

• 

  Overall.. Id buy another.. - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Joe - December 1 - 5:17 pm

  I cant say that Ive had any problems with my Blazer. With 60,000+ miles, the only thing Ive had to replace are the brakes and tires this winter. Its not got the best pickup on cold winter days, but Im thinking thats pretty common on many vehicles. Gas mileage is alright, doing excellent on highway travel.

• 

  10 Years Old & Still Running Strong - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Carlos - December 1 - 2:19 pm

  With 182,000 miles this car has seved the family exceptionally well. Only a new tranny at 140,000 miles and the usual maintenance. Great in the snow and no problems what so ever with the AWD. Comfort and reliable to the max.

• 

  Would love to love this SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By k. - December 1 - 12:09 pm

  We purchased out 2005 Suburban in Sept. and I loved it! But 2 weeks later a freeze plug in the engine compartment started to leak. We have had it to 2 different dealerships 4 times now and its still not fixed, its leaking and smells of antifreeze. It had 12,000 miles on it when we bought it and yes it is still under certified warranty,but this is still very annoying. I really liked this suv, but all this running to the dealership is making me wonder if I made a mistake trading in my Honda for a Chevrolet seeing that no one seems to be able to solve this problem and my Honda was so reliable.

• 

  Love my Tahoe - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Margaret Wise - December 1 - 11:31 am

  I pull a small travel trailer and was driving a Buick Rainier. I just love the Tahoe, but was afraid it was too big. We had Suburbans and a Yukon before this, but this handles so much better, you would swear you were driving something the size of the Rainier. All my previous experiences with full size SUVs has been put to bed. This is fun, easy and a real kick to drive. Not to mention the looks it gets with its great style and presence.

• 

  A good country truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By A Jerd - December 1 - 9:03 am

  During the summers I use this truck for my small business. In its 8ft bed it can haul a considerable amount of weight, up to 3 or 4 yards of wet mulch. As a college student, I drive back and forth to home often, and the gas mileage is great. Passing power is exceptional, I feel, for the V6. Acceleration isnt always reliable and I sometimes question the torque, but I love it. The interior is basic, and easy on the eyes. Ive driven the similar Ford model, and in general, the steering, and power feels more profound and well done.

• 

  06 Monte Carlo SS LS4 - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By roryreview - November 29 - 7:52 pm

  I was looking for a new car, test drove 08 Mustang GT, 10 Camaro SS & Challenger RT. The Monte SS by far was the most fun to drive, I really didnt expect anything from it. After the test drive I put money down to hold the car, I knew it was a winner. I am not saying this car would burn these others in a race but the acceleration on the SS made me instantly want it. When you step on the gas the HP goes right to the wheels, no delay. No one understands just how fast these LS4s are until they are behind the drivers seat. Even if your not in it for speed, it is a very comfortable car to drive in.The best part of my day is coming & going to work.

• 

  Comfortable, but Noisy and a Gas Hog - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Scott - November 29 - 12:43 pm

  Very comfortable ride. Very noticable exterior noise, low gas mileage (dont believe the sticker MPG for city and highway). I get 12-16 MPG. I should have spent the extra grand and got the EXT version. Not much truck room for visits to the grocery or building supply store and carrying young family of 4. GM should consider developing a plug on your stereo for your cellphone to be used with your radio speakers.

• 

  Fun to drive - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Frank - November 28 - 6:53 pm

  Very comfortable, with a roomy back. A must with leather and XM Radio. Lots of storage, however bad on gas.