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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  Best Chevrolet in Years - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MPBRAD111 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had the new Malibu for a little over a month now and could not be more pleased. This car is the best that Chevrolet has offered since the rear wheel drive Impala SS. I bought the car for my wife, but I find myself driving the car a lot more than I thought I would. Import/European style, qualty and safety not previously available from Chevrolet.

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  whoa - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By flynmalibu - August 29 - 2:00 am

  The 2004 malibu is incredible, i owned a 2001 and traded it in, the most amazing piece of machinery i ever seen, the power of the V6 really kicks and you can seriously feel the 200 HP in the engine, i admit the price to pay for the car was high, but the room, look and color interior really styles a malibu, not to mention the amazing 23 mpg i acheive only in street driving. its not 100% economy, but i recommand this car to anyone who seeks sport with refinement.

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  Disappointment - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Wild man - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I found Suburban & Expedition drove and rode very similarly. I had considered buying a Suburban when purchasing the Expedition about 10 months back. After renting, Im glad I saved about $8,000. My two biggest disappointments were poor and shoddy use of plastics, doors werent aligned well, and rarely closed tightly. Been waitng to see when Chevy would make for a simply fix for folding down rear seat in the Suburban. Still waiting. The Expedition has a 60/40 fold down rear seat, which is utilitarian. The fold over, unbolt, remove and sit in the garage approach isnt what I want in a $40,000 vehicle.

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  A Female Owner/Drivers Perspective - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mmomom2 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Over the last seven years, I have gone from a Suburban to a Venture van, and now to the Trailblazer. The Trailblazer is definitely the better one for my money. It has the solid feel and comfort similar to the Suburban without the tank-like response. It has a sportier appearance while still giving me plenty of cargo room and better economy. Its a keeper.

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  great truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By farmchicaonu - August 29 - 2:00 am

  truck is powerful and comfy

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  What a mistake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By huffy13 - August 29 - 12:32 am

  Biggest piece of junk out there! That is the kindest words I have for the 2006 Uplander. Has been in the shop about 15 times since buying it 3 yrs ago. Leaked water into the back and soaked our luggage, lights on interior and exterior flickers all the time, poor brake quality, ABS lights on all the time, transmission slips when shifting from reverse to drive, DVD player skips even on brand new disks, road noise is horrible, steering column makes a grinding and knocking sound. Just an overall horrible vehicle.

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  Supercharged SS - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Kimberly Roach - August 28 - 2:56 pm

  I have had my Supercharged SS for just over 2 months and I love it! It is fun to drive. It turns heads everywhere I go! I shopped around before buying the Monte Carlo, and I couldnt be happier with the decision I made. It is a little rough on gas, but the good looks and speed make up for that!

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  2001 Trail Blazer - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By BG - August 28 - 11:28 am

  I first rented one at Jackson Hole Airport. Liked it so much I returned to Nashville and purchased one. It has been trouble free except for the smog pump failure at 90000 miles. I love driving it. Consumer Reports rates it bad and I rate it Excellent. Ive driven on long trips and its a joy. Easy to park and non-tiring on long trips. Two thumbs up!

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  Most Functional Truck Made - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Biff - August 28 - 10:58 am

  I gave up my 2001 Toyota Tacoma d-cab for a used Z-71 with 50,000 miles over 3 years ago. For a family of 5, the usability of the back seats is second to none. Where the Toyota 3.4L V6 screamed to tow my boat, the Avalanche handles it like nothing. The flexibility of the mid-gate is terrific. The bed tonneau panels are easy to remove and have remained water tight. The truck has a smooth ride on the road but can still perform off-road. Now I have 87,000 miles and only problem has been the rear power door locks have frozen up and need to be opened manually.

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  Keeps on rolling - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By maggie - August 28 - 6:27 am

  My Tracker has been in my family coming up on 9 years now. Bought it new in Dec 2000. Mine is the rear wheel drive, soft top version. It has a manual transmission. I (the mom) drove it for 7 years with never a problem. Outside of routine maintenance, it has cost me no money. My son bought it from me 2 years when stationed in sunny southern CA. Again, no problems with it. Routine maintenance only. He recently drove it cross country, from CA to VA with no problem at all. Very soon, he will be purchasing a newer car and the Tracker will go to his younger sister who is in college. For basic transportation, with no bells and whistles, this is a great little car.