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:

• 

  2001 Blazer 4WD LT - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RDTMBA - December 16 - 2:00 am

  2nd Blazer owned, have had problems w/ air conditioning losing coolant, dealer fixed it 3 times still hasnt found leak but has always done it for free since problem 1st occurred 1 month after buying. No other problems to report. Would buy again but seems as if it is being phased out. Really like the fact that back seats fold down flat. No other SUVs seem to have this feature.

• 

  Good for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By hgusmao - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I love the way it drives needs a little more performance into it

• 

  Chev 1500 Silverado V6 - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By WJ PROTHEROE - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Safe to drive

• 

  Alaskan S-10 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Scooter79 - December 13 - 2:00 am

  Have had NO problems whatsoever. Use 4WD daily during winter (October-May), with multiple switches between 2WD and 4WD on-the-fly each time out. Vortech V-6 is nice, but wish it had even more power as to drive home I need to go up STEEP hills, and pedal seems to be on the floor alot. Posi-traction and 3rd door are a must for my likings.

• 

  I have owned five Blazers - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By charles watson - December 13 - 2:00 am

  This is just a good solid well made all around vehicle. It is quite enough to hear the radio at freeway speeds and is very comfortable to drive. No rattles or squeeks. enough room to haul stuff and still fit in the garage.

• 

  Getting what you pay for - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Snookums - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with hesitation.I knew I didnt have the best car,but i also didnt expect problems from a new car.Such as...the visor is my biggest annoyance,stalls on occasion,floor matt on drivers side,electrical problems with two windows,blinkers,tailights and controls in the middle.Uncomfortable seats,loud A/C,cups dont fit in oddly placed cupholders. Worst of all, TERRIBLE PAINT JOB(if an acorn falls on my car it gets scratched)! I never knew of ANY car where a light in the glovebox was NOT standard! Nonetheless,i do like my Cavilier. Breaks work very good,gas mileage is awesome,nice look,safety features,radio/speakers,A/C,dimmed lights,performance.

• 

  My old SUV on Sterioids - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By wiselteats - December 13 - 2:00 am

  Cowboy caddy, redneck limosine were some nick names for the Burb that I used to utter in my mind when I would see one pass me in my 4Runner on the interstate back in my supremely loyal Toyota owning days. To be swayed away from Toyota to Chevy by the impressive Suburban should speak volumes to not only Toyota and other SUV designers but to the droves of rabid Toyota SUV loyalists (me being a former one). This ride rocks.

• 

  2002 Z06—Better Than You Think… - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By n938b - December 13 - 2:00 am

  The 405 hp Z06 is a terrific car. No fan of the Corvette since mid-year Stingrays, my first drive in a C5 changed my opinion instantly. Solid without the cowl shake, squeaks, and rattles of the past. Low sills, analog dash, comfortable seats. But it was the greatly improved rigidity that made me a believer that Chevrolet finally got the car right… or close to it. If you havent driven one, dont let old perceptions preclude consideration of this terrific performing automobile.

• 

  Truck Saved my life, very well built - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Mandi78 - December 13 - 2:00 am

  I recently rolled my Tahoe over twice on the highway doing approx 60mph and literally other than being bruised up I walked away from the accident.. The truck also saved my baby (I am 9mos pregnant) and the baby is fine as well.. I must say the truck is top heavy I have always said that but it certainly help up well.. The only downfall now is that because the truck is so high priced the insurance company is fixing the truck (25,000 worth of damage). But defenately worth the $$$

• 

  Too Early to Die - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By rosegarden - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Problems: wipers constantly stuck in up position. Apparently this has been a recall item on other years, but GM decided not for 1999, so dealer wants lots of money to fix it. Power sliding door problems and electrical problems (remote entry), which the dealer fixed at no charge. Major problem of gasket cracking so oil and coolant leaked internally and externally (66666 miles) ($700 repair.) Dumb placement of drivers cup holders on floor. Also had some trouble with power windows, but maybe lubrication will fix them. Am investigating a Honda Odyssey as we have had good luck with Hondas in the past now that they have made them bigger.