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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  Review 2003 - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Neal Boynton - August 17 - 2:00 am

  The 2003 is lighter and handles a little better than the 2000. The 2003 does not get as good as milage as the 2000, in fact it is exactly 2.3 miles less per gallon than the 2000.Do not know why but I suspect it is the different transmission. Also GM has all kinds of little nickle and dime short cuts in the 2003, like no tail gate key entry, cheaper paint in the door jams, lots of little cheap cut backs that are surprising for a vehicle that has one of the most loyal customer followings.

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  Highs and Lows - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By DBF - August 17 - 2:00 am

  I use the vehicle for both business and family transport (4 kids). Highs = people and gear fit nicely, ride/performance is good, fuel economy suprising Lows = build/design drivers seat has squeaked since last year (annoying), engine rattles when first started (dealer/others claim its a design problem with pistons!!! no fix short of a rebuild) Overall, I like the size and performance I just wish Ford would make one this size as GMs quality is suspect (Ive had "0" problems with 3 F150s owned)

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  Not bad - 2003 Chevrolet Astro
  By localfamily - August 16 - 2:00 am

  So far weve only had the van for 5months. Its not bad. The things I have noticed: not enought leg room in the front seats, blind spot if you get the model with the back doors that swing out, kinda hard to get into from the front, side window fasteners made cheaply. Gas tank doesnt lock from in/out side. I thought all new cars did this now adays.

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  5 yr. owner of 1997 Blazer - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By carrie depoy - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Blazer has been a nice dependable car for last 5 yrs. Would buy another Chevy but looking at other makes at this time. Gas mileage is not the greatest but a prt of being an SUV owner. Do not like hump in front passenger seat on floor. Makes long drives uncomfortable. Minor problems included handles to recline seats both broke, upholstery not holding up well for driver seat(has been replaced), paint on windshield wipers has peeled off. OVerall good vehicle and was happy with purchase.

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  So dependable!! - 1994 Chevrolet Lumina
  By anntho - August 15 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car used in 99 with 60,000 miles. We now have 160,000 miles and it has been incredibly dependant. What the 94 Lumina lacks in style it makes up for in dependability. We have only made typical upkeep trips to the shop (battery, new brake pads once, oil changes etc). We have been on 10+ trips longer than 1000 miles and the car has been excellent in comfort and reliability. We are ready for a new car, but I hate the idea of trading this one in.

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  Venture Sold! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Venture sold! - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought this van in 2000 at 24,000 miles, currently has almost 90,000 and still no rust. No major repairs except at 83,000 the intake gasket seal leaked (about $700). We live in snowy midwest and traction is better than other FWDs weve owned. Mileage is about 16/23. The flexible seating continues to be the best part of owning this van. Drivers seat is not comfortable on long trips if you need low back support. A recurring annoyance: having to grab cups over 16 oz. when cornering. Overall, I am sad to be saying good-bye to my old friend but Ill be test-driving the 2003-04 models before the weekend is over.

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  2001 LT Tahoe - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By chemngnr - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall I am very happy with my Tahoe. I have a some engine noise and rattle in th front suspension which the dealer takes care of when I go in for service but they seem to come back within a few weeks. The worst part of the vehicle is the automated climate control system (CCS). It seems to do things that are contrary to rational thought. For instance, it could be 30 below and the auto CCS wants to turn on the AC! Ive given up on it and run the system mannually.

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  Cant complain! - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By richard123321 - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the Z24 since new and have 90,000 miles on it. The only real repair was a front wheel bearing at 70,000 miles. Besides that only normal maintenance costs (fluid changes, tires and brakes) have been required. The car runs like new! Ive changed the oil every 4000 miles and changed the tranny fluid every 40000 miles. I wish that I had a good reason to switch cars since Im kinda getting tired of looking at it! I would consider another GM were it not for their steep depreciation. Makes for a great used car buy!

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  Great Car - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Happy_Happy - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used @ 73000 miles in 1999. Routine maintenance and some repair. 3.1V6 and auto trans. had 189000 miles on it and still reliable and strong. I love this car.

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  Chevys For Life - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Chevy Man - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought my blazer used and it had 45,000 miles on it I have put on 103,000 since then. Within 6 months I had a new tranny, Brake System, and Air Conditioning system. But you cant turn back time and redo what the person before you did. Since then I have had really no problems I have Had to replace the thermostat several times and a battery a couple of times and that is about it. It is Great for a Family.