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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  love it - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By coolrig - September 6 - 2:00 am

  great use it for just about everything

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  PETES SUBURBAN - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By pwpote - September 6 - 2:00 am

  MY SUBURBAN IS ONE OF THE BEST VEHICLES THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED IT HAS EXCELLENT LUGGAGE SPACE, PLENTY FOR FOUR GOLFERS AND ALL THEIR LUGGAGE FOR AN EXCELLENT GOLF VACATION. FUEL ECONOMY IS SO-SO WITH 15 MPG ALL AROUND AND 18 MPG HIGHWAY...I WOULD BUY ANOTHER

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  Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Byates - September 6 - 2:00 am

  No problems with the exception of the tachometer not working. Overall, the Tahoe has met our expectations and is an great riding and driving vehicle.

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  EXCELLENT VEHICLE - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By stasia - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Tahoe. I love them especially with one in sports I can keep everything in the cargo area and not have to take this in and out everyday. The turning radius is a lot better than it used to be. The seats dont seem to be as comfortable as my last but thats okay. I really like the radio to where we can both listen to different things at the same time.

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  Z71 Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mws517 - September 6 - 2:00 am

  It pulls my 21 foot boat with no problems. It handles the bumps in the road while towing better than my 2002 LT Tahoe. Pulls the boat out of water on slippery boat ramps with little to no problem. Only problem is that it is very difficult to add after market items (ie) XM radio. After three tries finaly got it right. Other than that I love it

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  Reliable - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By KellyG - September 5 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed my experience with the Malibu so far. Its affordable and reliable. I have been looking for another vehicle for the past couple of months but because the Malibu doesnt hold its value I am upside down on it. So, I will be stuck with it for a while. I would recommend this car but only if one can get it at a real good price, since it depreciates quickly.

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  s-10 review - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By s-10 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Its sweet dude. The handling is outstanding and its really smooth. I got the leather interior and it is so comfortable. I give it 5-*****.

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  My 95Z - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By cdd_99 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought car new in 94, drive as weekend/summer car only. Had usual problems with manifold/oil leak, but it appears to be fixed after 2 attempts. Car handles well. Performs very poorly in ANY wet weather. Surprisingly fast, dont be fooled by published reports, very underrated, not for <18 drivers. Has great Bose sound/cd. Have 6 SP, T-Tops, no problems. Gas 12/city 25-28/Hwy w 6th gear

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  okay car - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By chiefret - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new. Brakes & rotors have been changed twice. They almost stop working!! AC is marginal on very hot days & has quit working while on vacation in Florida. Dash lights sometimes do not work properly. Its pretty good for trips but have misgivings about reliablity.

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  My first and only Burb - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Weasel628 - September 4 - 2:00 am

  No major problems at all. Regular maintenance upkeep has kept us rolling along. The whole family (7) & dog can fit comfortably. On long trips, all the luggage fits in the rear. Can Expedition owners say the same? We love the way the vehicle travels on the highway. Will keep it until the cows come home.