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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  cant wait to trade in - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By scott - October 28 - 1:50 am

  At first it was a nice car until the problems started. I had the brakes redone at 14000 miles. The a/c doesnt work on the drivers side. I already have rust starting on the back end. Warranty takes care of these. But I have to put my second windshield in because it cracks in the same spot starting below the rubber near the passenger door. Niether of them are from cracks The most annoying part is that I cant clean snow off of the windshield because of the design. The snow gets stuck and builds up because the "wings" that stick further out than the windshield. I am currently looking for a new car.

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  Terrible company car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Traveler - October 28 - 12:51 am

  I have had 3 Impalas as company cars in the past 6 years and have had multiple problems with each one. The steering locked up and left me stranded twice with my 03. My 05 and 07 have both been in the shop multiple times for various reasons. The trim on the driver side door has peeled of on both. All of these problems happened with 50,000 miles or less. One of my biggest complaints is the heater. My last 2 Impalas would not blow hot air when the car was idling. I cant believe all of them are like this but after having 2 new ones that both operate this way I wonder. For a free car I cant complain, but I would NEVER buy one of these for myself.

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  OLD FAITHFUL - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By alfonso ortiz - October 27 - 9:55 pm

  Suburbans are great, if i could afford another one i would jump on it. I have driven my truck from Texas to Cali several times. i have done a paper route to over the road driving, to hauling couches on top, and sheetrock inside, all with no major problems. Chevy makes a cheap intake manifold gasket. i finally had to replace. and now my shift solenoid is out. in 2009 great 5.7L power. cowboy conversion package was worth it.

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  Better fuel milage - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By kellylag3 - October 27 - 9:35 pm

  I get 500km per tank (17mpg). It doesnt matter if I am in the city 90km an hour or 120km. 500 ALWAYS. Ive had to issues with the truck at all! Parks better then a full size. Have not found any advantage to the 5 cylinder.

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  Love It! - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Todd Hime - October 27 - 8:46 pm

  I bought it used with 15000 miles and it great. Ride is nice, it is loaded with options.

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  A Damned Good Truck.. - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By Paul Sanzone - October 27 - 8:23 pm

  This truck is everything you dreamed of in a large 8 SUV. The truck rides smooth and is SUPER QUIET! The cabin is roomy, and seating is comfortable. The Hybrid model is loaded to the gills! From the finely appointed leather seats, its complete with all the power options, navigation, and DVD player. With the Hybrid technology, you are truly saving money on gas! My last SUV was a Nissan Pathfinder SE (V6). The Tahoe uses half the amount of gas that the Pathfinder used. This Hybrid Tahoe gives you (on average) 20 miles per gallon. The warranty from GM is excellent. Overall the handling is good. You must test drive it..YOU WILL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. I love my Tahoe!

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  Worth the money - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Pat - October 27 - 4:03 pm

  I have an 03 ext LT with 4.2L. This has been a great Suv for me and my family. I agree the fuel economy could be better but for a 03 mid size Suv its pretty good. Interior is excellent but I agree that the radio buttons do wear off. I love the 3rd row/cargo space. Ive compared this to an explorer with the 3rd row and it can actually fit an adult unlike the explorer. Im 61" and can sit back there (although I wouldnt do it for a LONG road trip). Its a comfortable and quiet ride. I would recommend it to anyone.

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  Love it! - 2009 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dcarver292 - October 27 - 3:45 pm

  I love my new Suburban. I used the Costco buying program and paid $400 under invoice! The truck is perfect, it rides like a dream and and the kids love the DVD player. It is very easy to drive and with the rear camera it is a dream to park.

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  Excellent Value - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By WALLY - October 27 - 12:53 pm

  The LS model is equipped with all neccesary equipment. Only items added were front carpets and a dealer installed pinstipe. The 3.5L engine is peppy,smooth and very economical. My wife loves the electic adjustable pedals as well as the fully adjustable steering wheel. Standard seat controls do a good job. This is one of the best GM cars that we have owned. It meets all of our needs and expectations.

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  Purchased april 4 2010, intial review - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JeffD - October 27 - 3:50 am

  I bought a Silverado LT ext cab, 5.3 L v8, 6 sp auto. interior plus, ext plus, Texas edition package. Interior color is a ivory off white kinda of color. With the dash being black it gives it a two tone effect that I like. The 5.3l engine with the tow package allows me to tow any thing i would want. Once I am on the highway and cruising the engine mgt takes over and it gets any where from 24-30 mpg. There is no engine lurch or noise when this happens, Only way you know is via the info display. Even at hwy speeds the interior is fairly quite. I look forward to my first long trip. Chevy has a great truck here. With 5k in down payment assitance, GM financing beat my Cu rate.