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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  evaluation of 97 suburban - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By rfrankjr - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Only needed to replace brakes and tires...still had orginal exhaust with 106,000 miles on it. Not one problem with engine but did change oil every 3,000 miles.

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  Good value - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By E-Man - September 8 - 2:00 am

  I have two young daughters, 5 and 2, yet wanted a pickup. Bought the S-10 after a lot of research and shopping, comparing it favorably to the Tacoma (pricey) and F-150 (couldnt afford 4 doors plus 4WD). So far, so very good. Its a lot of fun to drive, handles exceptionally and was a tremendous value after the $4,000 rebate and other discounts. One suggestion: Buy a light color. I bought the dark, Indigo blue and, while I like it, it seems to scratch easily to a white undercoat. Otherwise, I bought a loaded pickup (all power, 4WD, cruise, CD, etc.) for less than $18,000, NOT including my trade. Until Ford makes a Ranger four door, I think its hard to beat.

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  Not too bad!!.... - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tone0206 - September 8 - 2:00 am

  Having bought this four door Blazer about 8 months ago, I have been pleasantly suprized. Having vowed to never buy another GM product again after numerous, and costly repairs for an Olds. The Blazer has decent build quality, and is quite comfy inside, if not a little drab with a grey interior. I do wish it had a bit more power though. I added a K&N open air induction, with a "Tornado". It is like night and day, especially when passing that semi, uphill!!

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  1999 Tahoe - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Spotchaser - September 8 - 2:00 am

  Had the vehicle two years now and I am pleasantly surprised. The engine is strong enough to tow a house but I am getting 16 to 20 miles a gallon. Not bad for a full size SUV. A real nice "road trip" vehicle.

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  Diesel long haul - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By True North - September 6 - 10:33 pm

  I love my truck, its got great power, fuel economy, looks good, does everything I need it to do with no fuss.The drivetrain on this truck is amazing. The Allison 5 speed is far superior to the Dodge/Ford trannys. Not the toughest 4wd truck though, and the power extendable tow mirrors never like to work properly. I also think it sits too low for a 4x4 3/4 ton in the front, not enough ground clearance like the Fords and Dodges have.

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  Should I even swiitch? - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Chev Fan - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I own a 1991 Caprice. I am about to own a 1996 Buick Roadmaster if I think it will be as good a car as the Caprice. My Caprice gets 31mpg. No lie!!! My only complaint about the Caprice is the drivers sea. Its not a power one on this model and because I am only 52 i have to use a seat cushion so I can see over the dash. I also dont find the seat comfortable on drives longer than 1/2 hour. Ive been told the Buick will fix that. The car has 370,000km on it and the only thing not working is the A/C. The engine has never been opened up, burns no oil. Im only considering switching because of the newer year and the power seats.

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  2nd s-10 crew - 2003 Chevrolet S-10
  By kiddkat - September 6 - 2:00 am

  this is my second s-10 crew cab 1st one being 2001, all around good truck plenty of power, also added torneau cover improves gas milage for me considerably. a good buy for the $$ good resale value. the 2003 ive had for about 3 weeks and its the same as the first even in color (pewter). great cd/cassette stereo. tows my 4 wheelers with ease you dont need a full size. i would by a third one in a heartbeat.

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  Fun Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Shawn Naus - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love this truck. It is fun to get in and out of it with the solid feel of the doors. The front seats are very comfortable, I have the felt feeling seats which are very cushy. All coponents are easy to reach and it feels very trucky from the driver seat. The gas milage shocked me, she is a very thirsty vehicle for a small block V-6. I believe it may be due to the rear wheel drive.

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  I had questions?? - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jdspcm - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I was a little reluctent - going into a less expensive car - I always had more expensive or foreign autos. I was wrong - this Malibu is all and more than I thought it would be!! We loaded this auto up with, almost everything GM offed, it is great. It handles as good as my Audi A4 at half the price!! Excellent power and ride. What a good choice we made - Very Happy.

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  Poor Quality - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Concerned Buyer - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This Malibu has been out-of-service four times in four months for engine component defects and power steering defect. Some initial interior problems as well.