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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  metro - 1999 Chevrolet Metro
  By pat68 - August 4 - 2:00 am

  good reliability , except a/c leak excellent fuel economy, good performance, very cute car

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  Solid Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By millms - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I replaced a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 with a 2003 Tahoe Z71. My fist reaction to the Tahoe was that it was slow compared to the Jeep but clobbers it in comfort and capacity. Its great for taking a group to the slopes or hunting but it is not an off-raod vehicle beyond a dirt road. My friend has the Z71 too and by adding duel exhaust an airbox and driving in 3rd gear it helps with the sluggish accelaeration. I will make the same alterations once my warranty expires. Overall I think its a great vehicle for weekenders who travel betweeen houses or people with larger families as the cargo capacity and comfort is great.

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  LTZ 6 CYL - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By LTZ 6 cyl. - August 3 - 9:50 pm

  Very nice, smooth riding crossover. 20 mpg average with the 264 HP V-6 and tow package. We needed to tow a 17 ft. boat and this LTZ was equipped for towing but also had GPS NAV, leather, etc...We actually didnt have to spend too much for all the extras compared to Cadillac SRX and Lexus RX 350.

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  92 Chevrolet Corsica - 1992 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Madison Chevy - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car around town. Comfortable and economical. Easy to park, easy to drive. Seldom required repair, but those were inexpensive.

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  Good Start So Far - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BossHoss - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I would have never considered a Chevrolet car before this purchase. So far we are not dissapointed. With the rebate and supplier discount the value is unbeatable. Sticker $25,100, paid $20,168. We have a family member with an Accord EX that has a few less options and only has a 4 cylinder but paid a little over $21,000. The ride is very smooth and quiet, if not a little soft, but I didnt expect a sports sedan. The electric power steering seems to work well, but there is too much assist causing you to feel disconnected. If this car is as reliable as the "new" chevy claims to be it looks like they have a winner.

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  #2300 off the line - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By critter - August 1 - 7:06 pm

  This was the first one in northern MI sold. Had some new model quirks and bugs to work out, dealership took care of all of them except for one, which needs GMs help. All 4 doors are rusting at the seam on the inside door bottom. GM seems to be giving me the runaround. I want either new doors (as an attempt to repaint didnt work) or a new car. Other than that it gets OK gas mileage 23 around town, 28 on the freeway (thought it would do better.) Put a real console in the car and move the window switches. Love the heated leather seats and XM radio. Quality would be better if it wasnt built in Mexico.

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  Love My Tracker - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By adnama36 - August 1 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my 01 Tracker for almost a year, and I would definitely buy another one. It is great on winter roads, but tons of fun in the summer with the convertible top/sunroof. The interior is nothing fancy, but it rides well (better than my friends older Tracker), and gets decent gas-milage.

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  Second Review (luvmahcar) - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By luvmahcar2 - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Car now has 35670 miles and had to change some of the reviews. Have had it in twice for warranty. 1. to replace heater/ac controls (ac switched to outside air on its own accord). 2. Had the upper strut mount replaced. Still no break problems. I am pleased with the gas mileage of 31 on the road and 25 city. Interior integrity is still excellent. Hate the painted bumpers - high speed bug hits knock off the paint and it shows. Still, overall it is an excellent car and I am still very happy with it. Now, to see how the next 15,000 miles go!!!!!

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  OK But typical GM - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Keith Stroup - July 31 - 8:00 pm

  Bought the truck new in 2004. Had a Dodge Ram 1500, This was a huge step up. Best gas mileage: 21 MPG driving on factory tires thru Ohio / Indiana. Worst gas mileage: 16 MPG driving on larger P265 aftermarket truck tires thru Central PA. I dont like the rear doors, they dont shut right. At 12,000 miles I had to have all rotors turned, they were warped so bad I was afraid to step on the brakes. At 34,000 miles rear rotors rusted & wore the rear pads out?? Chevy blamed it on me...keeping it in a garage & driving it on weekends is too much for rear disc brakes? Excellent 4WD system, like the part-time 4WD feature, comes in very handy on wet roads. At 35K I still like the truck.

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  Big Dog Motor Rocks - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Harpo - July 31 - 5:46 pm

  I traded my 94 K2500, 6.5 diesel for the 8.1 vortex with the Allison tranny and all I can say is wow!!. The Big Dog Motor pulls my 5th wheel with no effort at all especially when it comes to climbing long......hills. Combined with the Allison tranny, this is the best power drive train that a RVer could dream for save for the Duramax. I get about 10.5 mpg when towing and 14 mpg when not which is not to bad with 4.10 gearing. My wife likes the quiet ride although its little stiffer than the old truck (new truck has the camper package). The 03 exterior stying is Ok but a prefer the older 02.