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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  Very Happy with my purchase - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Desiree - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Very happy with my purchase...love it!

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  chevy - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jlasjdf - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I really like the chevys this year. They look great and perform even better. Ride comfort is great.

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  Still Crusin - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Kman - May 18 - 1:07 pm

  I bought the car used in 2000. The BOSE was blown but a new custom sound system has me rockin. I like to put on my reflector sunglasses and drive around slowly. It still gets looks and comments. It corners like its on rails and the 3.8 has plenty of power for the light body. I love the car. My girlfriend thinks its too low. Mechanically its been good but interior quality is kind of iffy. Overall, I love the car. At 118,000 I expect to drive her for a while longer.

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  My 00 Z28 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Gregg1LE - May 17 - 1:24 am

  This is my first LS1 car. I have owned both a V6 and an LT1 4th gen car. This is by far the best one in terms of looks, style, and performance.

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  Pretty good overall - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By carlcaver - May 16 - 9:06 pm

  70,000 miles and going strong. Its used daily for work, is great in the snow, and very good offroad also. Front balljoints had to be replaced after the VERY rough winter and many potholes, but this was understandable (we hit quite a few hard bangers!). Some rattles on very rough roads, but no other real problems. Overall I like this vehicle very much. It has been very practical and reliable, for everyday use and very long trips, including a cross country expedition. Those who complain and say their next vehicle will be some foreign made thing must have an anti-American made vehicle bias, because there is nothing with this vehicle that would cause such disgust.

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  Monte - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By RJOU1 - May 16 - 8:40 am

  I purchased a Monte Carlo When GM offered 0,0. What a deal. The car has been good so far. Not exceptional, but good. The only complaint I really have, is that it needs more power(should have gotten the SS). The interior is roomy and practical. I got a fair amount of equipment, including On-Star, which I think is great. Do I think this is the best car out there? no, but for the money, and the fact that its an American car make it a great choice.

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  Tow vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By lb20fathoms - May 16 - 5:06 am

  Super truck for pulling and long rides. It needs a bigger gas tank. 26 gallons standard when you get 12 miles to a gallon isnt enough. Also needs better quality seats. I have had the drivers seat recovered twice under warranty, and Im not an overly big guy.

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  Still Checking It Out - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mark - May 16 - 1:51 am

  After driving a 2001 Bravada, I felt cheated when I saw that the Trailblzaer was larger, heavier, and had more horsepower, and the same gas mileage (15/20). I get 16 mpg which I hope improves. As far as comfort goes, the way the drivers bottom seat is bolstered causes an ache under my right thigh. I try to make up for it with the seat controls. It has everything, and I really like it. It would be the perfect SUV for me if the mileage was better.

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  Love my Tahoe - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mark - May 15 - 2:13 pm

  Seats are wonderful. Power very adequate. Mileage OK considering how much weight you are moving. Comfort and convenience are outstanding.

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  Sunday Driver - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By D. Billingsley - May 15 - 12:15 pm

  My Slingshot Yellow SSR combines three characteristics that Ive always wanted. It is a cross between a hot rod, a sports car and a pickup truck. It is incredibly fun to drive and attracts attention like nothing I have ever driven. I see people taking pictures of it on their cell phone cameras as Im cruising down the freeway. With more than enough power, it runs out nicely and still has more to give above 60 MPH.