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:

• 

  Super Reliable - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Michael MacLeod - November 24 - 4:35 pm

  Purchased 2 months ago with 186K (one owner) on it, but youd never know it. Body replaced head cover gasket, rear brakes & p.s. hoses. It runs great, gets 24-27 city. No trips yet but expect 35+. Im 6-3" and 270#, so its a bit cramped to get in (wish it was higher off ground) but comfortable once inside. Plenty of head and leg room - I can actually stretch my left leg (bad knee) all the way out!! (No can do on 80% of other cars.) Radio speaker blocked by my leg. Plenty of pickup for my needs, GEO Prizms have 1.6L not 1.8L, you can really tell the difference, and with better MPG! (29-36 EPA) Auto trans. shifts very smoothly. Only thing not working is dome light - I must do manually

• 

  Just what I needed. - 2005 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Robert D. Crawford - November 24 - 3:25 pm

  I am very pleased with this vehicle. I notice on the internet it did not get good reviews. I do not know why? Is is much better then the Ford Explorer. More power at start up and on Highway. Smooth ride-handles well- good springs. On the front ceiling has some good storage and the dial setting for garage doors and lights and temperature and direction. it has everything I need. I do not need fancy wood on the dash or any of the other things which are high priced and do nothing for what is important in a vehicle. It is simply great. I am very happy that I purchased this SUV.

• 

  Z-71 best truck to buy - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By kdx - November 24 - 5:23 am

  My 2001 Chevrolet truck has been the best truck I have ever owned. I live in Kentucky and use my truck on and around my land, it goes great through mud and snow and has yet to fail me. In my opinion the Z-71 package is the best deal.

• 

  My 2nd SUV - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Super Chip - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Nice, smooth ride. Hauls a full load on the highway effortlessly (V-6). Seats six large men comfortably. Restricted visibility with the DVD player down obviously but the rear views handle the blind spots. Love the way the radio volume gently increases with the increase with interior db level. Theater seating is great!

• 

  Not bad... - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By dakota - November 24 - 12:06 am

  Honestly, I am very impressed with the interior luxuries of our fully loaded LT. Exterior is a little bizarre, but bearable. As far as performance, anyone who would describe any mini-van as "fun to drive" is really reaching, that, or they have not owned anything else. My van accelerates well and offers reliable safety - precisely why I bought it. Dont get me wrong, Im not trading the Benz in for another one...

• 

  Whits review - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Whitney - November 23 - 4:54 am

  This car has given me a fair amount of trouble. I have had to replace the motor and timing chain. The brakes are going out and the paint on the spoiler is starting to fade and chip away.It has not been very reliable for me.

• 

  Great small car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Tom R. - November 22 - 5:03 pm

  I couldnt believe this was built by GM. I traded my roadworn Civic for this model because I really like the fit and finish of the interior, and general overall apperance.

• 

  Best of both worlds - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By wesg33 - November 22 - 2:01 pm

  This is the perfect vehicle for someone who needs a truck, but would rather have an SUV. Ive had mine for almost three years now and still havent seen a vehicle that I would rather have. In fact Im thinking about trading this one in for a new one soon. I sometimes fold the midgate down, take off one panel, and am able to haul 12 metal studs. Its also nice to be able to haul 8 drywall or plywood completely dry. I dont use it for this very often, but it sure is nice in a pinch. I also love having the bed panels, it allows me to haul quite a few tools in the dry.

• 

  Great for trucking around kids! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TC - November 22 - 12:32 pm

  This is the third new Chevrolet vehicle that I have owned and I have been very happy with it. You sit up very high and can see the entire road and everything that it is ahead of you. The ride is very comfortable and handles extremely well especially on the highway at upper speeds. My wife was opposed to a mini van, so we looked at the Toyota Seqouia, Honda Pilot, before deciding to purchase this vehicle. On several occasions we have sat 4 adults and four children comfortably. If you need some space to hall around a family and their gear this would be an excellent choice.

• 

  Great, Great, Great - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By HOUSTON - November 21 - 3:20 pm

  This truck met most of our expectations. The ride is super smooth, very comfortable and the Bose system if very nice. It turns corners pretty good for a truck.