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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  not a bad little truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By fireslayer79 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I got a great deal on an S-10, fully loaded. It runs great, love the sift on the fly 4 wheel drive and has plenty of cargo area.

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  A Good Little Guy Truck - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By PaFab - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had this truck for over a year now, and it still performs the way it did the day I drove it off the lot. The thing I like about it the best is there is also a Western Snow plow available for it.

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  So far so good - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Fathead - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Sure, I worried about being the 35 year old fdork in the mini van, the mommie mobile, but for the ability to load 8 people or a hell of a lot of mulch, doors and other stuff (the second and third rows come out of my LS with 2nd row bucket seats), to hell with what 20 something women think. Seriously, its a good ride with good power and the price was right. I give hit high marks. However, since its a chevy...talk to me in a year.

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  It fits the need - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Star - November 29 - 6:10 am

  I have to admit, I traded in my Z28 for the Equinox so, I might be a little biased on the performance. Anyway, they compare as far as gas mileage is concerned. They both stink...other than that, the Equinox is a good vehicle.

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  2004 Tracker ZR2 - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By merit110 - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Greatly UNDER rated. A lot of REAL SUV for the price.

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  1996 chevy camaro V6 - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By bergman - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Good overall car. I have owned it for about 2 and 1/2 years, and only had one major problem. The slave cylinder in the transmission and clutch went out at out 90,000 miles.

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  Nice Ride - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Fisherfishouse - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased a 2001 ZR2 Tracker back in the spring. It had 28000 miles on it. Im passing the 45000 mile mark. So far Ive had no problems with it. I was very leary of it beings I was the 2nd owner of it. I have no idea what the first one did to it, But it seems to be very solid to this date. At this time I would purchase another one.

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  love my blazer - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By tntoolmanrpotool - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I love my Blazer. The ride is comfortable but not too soft. The engine is strong and has power to spare in about any situation. It will turn on a dime and parking is a breeze. It has a lot of hidden features you dont know about until you have driven it a few days. It isnt a family car but its great for two people. Its a nice in between vehicle. Somewhere between a utility vehicle like a Jeep and midsize family SUV. To compare this with mini SUVs is unfair because really its in a class of is own.

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  99 Chevy Silverado - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Happy Camper - November 28 - 10:00 pm

  Ive had no troubles...

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  07 Cobalt SS - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By 04.08.07 - November 28 - 9:50 am

  This is my first econo car since I bought a Pinto in 1978. Im not crazy about FWD but it has real grunt and Ive found it easy to hot rod. I also feel good about saving a couple Americans their jobs and while the quality isnt what Im used to, neither is a 22k sticker. All in all Id consider another Cobalt but I would prefer RWD.