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 Hate Relationship - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By JoeG610 - February 23 - 10:00 am

  Fell in love with this car the day we test drove it. The style, and the power were what we were looking for, but, unfortunately we outgrew it quick, having to put 2 children in the back. Bought the car with 60,000 miles on it. Needed a tune-up at about 100,000 miles and it WAS NOT CHEAP! Alternator went shortly after... but guess where it is located... on the bottom of the engine behind all of the steering components! We are looking into getting a more practical car for the family, but, we are having a hard time parting with this car. Very fun to drive. All of the other reviews hit the nail on the head.

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  Great car for the money - 1993 Chevrolet Camaro
  By pat lippy - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car when I could finally afford the insurance. Love to hop in and drive in the summer - especially after cleaning, washing, and waxing. No fun in the winter. I have to make alternative plans to go to work but thats OK - just a minor inconvenience.

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  Pretty happy - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
  By Tom - February 22 - 5:16 pm

  Great truck if you want to turn peoples head. Mileage not as good as the 2005 I traded in. Both were equiped the same way. Maybe it will get better. My 05 keep improving till about 35,000 miles. Interior much improved. The navagation is really nice to have, I also have it on my 07 1500. My crew that works out of it really do love driving the 08 LTZ dully. It does every thing we ask and more.

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  2003 Astro LS AWD - 2003 Chevrolet Astro
  By KEWO - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I think as far as mini vans go, the Astro is the best. I love the room, the visibility, the power and the ability to tow. Also, this has been the best winter vehicle Ive ever owned, the AWD works great. Ive owned two SUVs and two 4x4 pickups that didnt do as well in the snow. It does everything my family needs from a vehicle.

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  2002 Avalanche 4 WD/1500 - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Mcc - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Great Truck!!--Best vehicle in winter weather--great traction, no slipping and sliding! --Nicest vehicle Ive ever had!My husband wants one, too!!

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  equinox awd - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By randy - February 21 - 9:50 am

  Just drove 17 hrs a day x 2. c pillar creates a big blind spot. Amazing front seat leg room! had 3 kids in the back shoulder to shoulder, yet they made the trip without complaint. rear knee room is good, but minimal room for feet under the seats. never could position the driver seat adequately. front edge of the seat cushion too high in relation to the back edge. supposed to be adjustable, but never found a good position. The engine had anemic performance... scary at times merging into highway traffic. However, we got 25 mpg with AWD! and 75 mph using cruise control! No other vehicle that I know of can make that claim.

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  Transmission Trouble - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By donmac - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Warranty was 3 yr./60m km. At3 1/2 yr. and 65m km. the transmission blew with no warning. Because I had no problems for 3 yr. I didnt buy extended warranty for Can.$2400. It cost me Can.$3600 to replace it. Seals let go and were chewed up. I now have 85m km. and do not trust that I wont have something else go.

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  Good review - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By aplustech - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Nice ride,stylish,dependable,comfortable

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  Hit me like a land slide! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By LandSlide - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Purchased to support Cave Diving hobby. Both my wife and I were put off at first by looks, but the functionality is awesome. Industructable, go anywhere, pull anything. Pulled our 24 boat like it wasnt there. Damm fine truck.

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  05 Trailblazer EXT - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Boldenwh - February 20 - 2:36 pm

  Cheaper alternative to imports and even GMC siblings. Dull power off the line, but gets going in mid tach range. Great discounts can be found as well. This vehicle rates high if you can pick up a loaded one for less than $26K.