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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  THIS CAR IS A NIGHTMARE - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By GRISEL71 - June 22 - 12:20 pm

  I have had this truck less than 5 years and I have already needed a new transmission, a new throttle unit and a gas pump unit. I have spent over 8,000 on this car all happened after warranty naturally. Mechanic tells me this is a VERY common issue with trailblazers and all parts are always on shelf because of this common need for these particular parts but chevy wont recall them. Im junking it and still have 10K to pay unbelievable so much for American made cars.....never again Chevy (GM) is uncooperative and taking peoples money!

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  Very Reliable Truck - Trailers Great!! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By scott - June 22 - 10:05 am

  I have had pretty good luck with this Chevy. I bought it with 8K miles, and it now has 52K miles. I have driven across country with a boat trailer weighing 2500 lbs, as well as a camper weighing 3000 lbs, and also a camper weighing 4000 lbs. It pulled all of the trailers smoothly with no problem. It has the sport suspension package which helps great for handling. The longest drive with a trailer was about 600 miles, and it was the 4000 lb(24 ft) camper, I had no problem keeping it at 60-65 mph across KS and MO. I had the stabilizer bars on. It handles a trailer great with the added Class III hitch, aftermarket. Best gas mileage I had was 26mpg with full bed going 65mph.

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  Best Corvette I have yet to own - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By lonewlf118 - June 22 - 8:03 am

  This is the best Corvette that I have yet to own. I have owned Corvettes all my life and this is the best so far. It is fun to drive, runs great, and has little problems. Yes, it turns heads.

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  Whats not to like - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By DEON - June 22 - 7:36 am

  Good strong truck. Will buy another. But I will miss that 496 C.I.D.

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  A very nice vehicle - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Dana Basney - June 21 - 9:23 pm

  As a former Tahoe and Suburban owner we were looking for something more economical, but with much of the flexibility we had enjoyed with our prior SUV. We recently completed a 2,700 mile trip tp Montana and averaged 21 miles per gallon. This car is very quite, smooth and fun to drive. We were quite amazed by the acceleration of the 6 cylinder engine with the car containing 4 adults and the back stacked high with luggage.

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  Like a Rock - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Kevin - June 21 - 8:30 pm

  This is my 4th Chevy Truck. This year I was considering another make, but after looking at the options, seeing the prices, I went with what I knew best, the Chevy. The employee discout was a great incentive too. I looked at everything but a Dodge (never a fan) and was real close to getting a Ford, but when it came down to it, I went with what has always been good to me. So far I have been very satified, and even got some nice comments from friends and neighbors. When I go looking for my next truck, I can assure you, Chevy will be the first I look at.

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  Great to the MAXX! - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By itsmebc - June 21 - 7:16 pm

  I love this vehicle. After owning Honda Accords and Nissan Maximas for years, my wife and I were looking at small SUVs. However, the insurance and MPG were not up to snuff for someone with a 60 mile commute. This car gets over 30 mpg on the highway and 25 in town. It is very roomy and comfy. The backseat has more room than my mother-in-laws Town Car! Great sound system. Got a great deal and is a CPO. I teach school and the other teachers are jealous. I dont know why Chevy has kept this one a secret. Too bad it wont be back for 2008. The hatchback and adjustable rear seat are great. I love the remote start!

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  3rd Suburban - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dshackel - June 21 - 4:01 pm

  I love these trucks. Current one is a replacement for one I totaled hitting trees head-on. I walked away without a scratch, police were astounded and credited the vehicle. I drive 130 miles round trip to work daily and never have a problem, even get decent mileage. We haul everything from goats to furniture in the back with no issue - and this is the leather, captains chair model. Just a great family driver.

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  Stay Away! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By JJ - June 21 - 10:38 am

  Multitude of problems. at 80K the intake gasket failed ($1000.00) at 90K, AC compressor clutch failed ($800.00) at 100K front end work ($600.00) corosion everywhere. Way to go GM - NEVER again will I be sucked into your vechicles to purchase. I have a 1998 Honda with twice the kms that still runs, drives and looks new and worth 5x as much in resale.

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  Very pleased - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By joedeemac - June 21 - 8:58 am

  After driving a 97 Lumina over 110,000 miles with absolutely no trouble and excellent gas mileage I decided to try the Impala. So far this car has also been trouble free. Gas mileage is much better than the EPA rating. Ive owned a Honda Accord which was a good car but I did have a few minor problems with. As long as I keep getting trouble free Chevys Ill keep buying them.