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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  2009 Nova SS - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lance - January 23 - 8:14 pm

  I bought my SS Cobalt without driving one as every state west of the Mississipi had only 5 SS. I ordered one after reading my Road and Track, Motor Trend Mags and going around the Nurmburings track with a professional driver in the rain no less. Lap times just above 8 minutes, and the driver expressed great impressions of what the car is able to do. Seeing as how I want to do what I can to help the economy and own a true muscle car matching the numbers of a Buick GS 455, and getting 2 to 3 times the mileage I bought one. I have 4500 miles on the car, perfect seats that my 90 year old mother could actually not have pain after 8 hours in the passenger seat, and scarry fast, like-Corvette

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  Works fine for me - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By George - January 23 - 5:51 pm

  I have a 2014 2WT Double Cab 4x4 truck with the 4.3 engine. Im very pleased with the vehicle. The 2WT package is a great value in my opinion. The truck is very comfortable & surprisingly good on gas. The bluetooth with phone is a but quirky but once I figured out the the system, it works ok. Took it on a 500 mile trip & was a very comfortable ride. For what I paid, Im happy with my purchase

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  Worst Ive ever owned - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Large - January 23 - 5:48 pm

  Purchased it used with ~80,000 miles in 2002. Felt comfortable doing this as I purchased it from the 1st owner that had all service records (dealer maintained). The engine failed at 92k miles. Replaced it with a new GM crate motor (5.7L). From there, it has been one constant failure after another. It now has $187,000 miles, but has had literally everything under the hood replaced (2 a/c compressors)as well as a transimission overhaul last month. I lost my shirt on this vehicle and am forced to keep it given what Ive had to invest. Ill donate it later this year to a charity as I cant sell this vehicle to anyone in good faith.

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  So far, so good - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By randyvn - January 23 - 5:44 pm

  Had a few GM glitches in the first 30K. Odometer went out, major repair: A/C went out, and typical steering knuckle needed repair. After warranty fixed these items all has been well.

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  2008 LS, a lot of truck for the money - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Bill - January 23 - 4:17 pm

  I chose the LS model for two reasons, first it was a few thousand dollars cheaper, and second, it had the 40/20/40 split bench, which I like better than the bucket seats that are the only option in the pricier LT and LTZ models. I really like this truck. It is a no-compromise crew cab (essentially, a Tahoe from the rear seats forward) that is easy to get into (I seldom even bother with the running boards, but then, Im 63", my wife who is 52" uses the running boards and has no problems getting inside). The performance is excellent. Using the midgate, I can haul an object as big as a full sized couch with the rear seats down. I got 21.8 MPG on a recent road trip, hard to beat that!

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  This is a fantastic car! - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By McEllinater - January 23 - 8:28 am

  I drive a mystic blue 2000 z28 Camaro V6. The best part of my day is driving this car. It is a lot of fun to drive, even in long distances. It keeps friends, family, co-workers all in awe. Its got lots of pickup even for a V6 and the thing is a tank. The car makes you feel powerful as you cruise down the road. The only thing I really dont like about it is that it cannot handle in harsh winters, but it is a fantastic summer car. Overall this car symbolizes style, speed, strength, and respect.

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  SSR is ultimate convertible - 2003 Chevrolet SSR
  By 28NGR8 - January 22 - 9:14 pm

  The SSR is the ultimate convertible due to the fact of the one button automatic convertible hard top, the very, very spacious trunk, and it is so comfortable when exiting the vehicle. Unlike, the other convertibles that you have to lift yourself out of the car, the SSR is high enough that you just turn and get out. The body such as the fenders are solid steel, not fiberglass. That gives me a sense of safety if a collision were to take place. So much to say about this car/truck I love it. It is a real head turner!

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  Transmission problems - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By greg drew - January 22 - 8:01 pm

  I bought the car because I thought it would make a nice go to work car and be reliable. Ive had nothing but trouble with it. The transmission has had a jerking problem since it was new that the dealer wouldnt fix because they said their computer said there was nothing wrong with it. The radio went bad. They didnt want to fix that until I got beligerent with them. It has a coolant leak that they cant find, so that is still leaking. Unhappy customer!

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  Loved - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Sky - January 22 - 11:29 am

  I just got my Blazer in November 08. It has 162,200 miles on it and runs great! The only problem I had was the battery was loose, but it was easily fixed. Other than that, I lovev my Blazer.

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  2004 Chevolet Suburban - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By ddzncle - January 22 - 10:29 am

  I bought my 2004 Suburban to transport mygrand children. It has become the car pool vehicle for my friends going to events around town. We can get 8 people in it plus luggage. The third seat comfort is not the best but good for short trips.