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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  Almost Perfect - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Almost Perfect - March 27 - 1:13 am

  The best Silverado yet. However, the rear bumper absolutely stinks! I backed into a snow bank. $2,000 damage. Also, when it is below zero the switch to change from 4WD to 2WD doesnt work and vice versa. When cold out I cannot get enough heat while on the road.

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  Its a reliable car! But.... - 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
  By My Lumina - March 26 - 2:00 am

  My lumina is not in the best shape... when I bought it everything was great... however I never really took care of it. The 3.1L engine is very easy to fix. I got into a car accident, and totaled the other car, my Lumina started up, and drove away. I aslo had an experience with water, the water was all the way up to the bottom of the doors, and engine was partly submerged, it started JUST GREAT!!!! And ran awesome! However I have a transmission leak, and have heard that it is pretty common for my model Lumina.

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  Bang for the buck - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Goodsean - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought a showroom floor model back in 1997 and have not looked back since. It has been an extremely fun car to drive and has been very reliable. The gas mileage is not that great, but I expected that. It is too bad that the line was discontinued as it is a much better car than the mustang.

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  SECOND ONE - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By BUSTER - March 26 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY SECOND SUBURBAN. THE NEW I HAVE DRIVEN TWICE TO FLORIDA FROM IL. FOR THE WINTER AND IT IS A JOY TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. I USE IT FOR BOTH BUSINESS AND PLEASURE.

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  nice - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bill white - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I am happy with this suv.Took a ride to canada the lumbarsupport and seating great after 8hrs driving. I have a boat, towing a 21 4000lbs boat no problem 3:7 gear ratio.with windows up i do hear wind sounds like its coming off side view mirror. fuel is great from Staten island to the border of ontrio 3/4 of tank, avg speed 70mph

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  Do I have a lemon? - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By foodsgreat - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Our trailblazer has been back to the dealer several times for numerous reasons. The computer wouldnt reset the mirrors when I went to drive the car after my husband...the windshield wipers come on at random, just once to show us they will work should we need them...the rear door handles broke...and just last weekend it was in because the fan clutch had to be replaced. And to think weve only owned it a year. My dad has one for a company car and my aunt bought one for herself and they both have had NO problems with theirs.

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  Camaro V6 - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By NinoK - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Have owned my Camaro for just over 6 years, and never had any noteworthy problems. Among favorite features: sporty looks and affordable price. On the downside, car feels very heavy, and is not much fun to drive. Still arguably one of the best bangs for the money – and if I had to do it again (with my finances six years ago, and my ownership experience six years after), I would buy it no questions asked.

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  Bang for the Buck - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 2000Z-71 - March 25 - 2:00 am

  As far as bang for the buck, its impossible to beat the Camaro. Where else can you get over 300 horsepower for under 30,000? Yeah its crude, loud, noisy and a few shakes and rattles, but that all disappears as you roll into the throttle. My only complaint about the car is moving to Phoenix and seeing my insurance rates double.

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  Wonderful little car - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Jackpinejack - March 24 - 2:00 am

  This is, after all, a Toyota Corolla with a Chevy badge, and Im a Corolla nut. I just want a car that doesnt ever want or need to be fixed, and this Prizm/Corolla fits the bill. Too bad Chevy has dropped the line -- I guess they were embarassed that they junk-pile small models they make (I once owned a ghastly Vega) cant compare. Reliable Reliable Reliable.

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  Approaching 1/4 MILLION miles... - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Milnecat - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Yes, you read that right...this car has 238,000 miles...on the original engine and the original transmission! Yes, it has received extensive repairs to support these highway miles...but the car still looks & runs great! I just pulled over a ton of trailer (and furniture) up 7-8% grades without a problem...no overheating, no hesitation! All accessories work. This truck was built right!