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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  Its not a full size truck. - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By e_mac - December 30 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is what it is. Its a compromise between a truck and a mid size car. It provides adequate hauling and carrying capability with the V6 yet it is economical to operate if you drive a lot. The vehicle could benefit from a slight lift to make it look a little more muscular, much like Nissan did with their 2WD pickups. Other than that the truck has been a solid performer so much so that I would likely by another or more likely the new Colorado due to replace it.

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  s-10 evaluation - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By oogabooga - December 29 - 2:00 am

  its cool

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  A Big Rock - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Fromsoca - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Tahoe brand new, within the first two months I had to have the radio replaced and the transmission started having problems not shifting out of 2nd gear, even at 50 mph. At about 6 months the idling arm had to be replaced. The transmission never went away and I returned it under Lemon Law. I then went bought a Silverado, thats a piece of junk too. Im done with American cars.

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  I Love my MV!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By MURO - December 28 - 2:00 am

  The Venture rules!! I love this MV. I have test driven every van out there, and nothing handles or drives like the Venture. This van is tops for comfort, room, style, and power. As for reliability, my 1998 Venture has just hit the 79k mile mark, and the only repair has been a the replacement of the water pump. The only thing more reliable in life is my loving wife . . . get this van!!!!!

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  97 Tahoe - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Bruce M - December 28 - 2:00 am

  Colorado driven, city and highway. Transmission problems, though minor, occurred at 50k and 75k. CD quit at 80k. 4wd quit working at 78k. We were happy with the vehicle up until 75k, but I dont know, call me crazy, I think vehicles should last longer than that, especially when given tender loving care. We have probably purchased our last American automobile considering Toyota Highlander, Acura MDX, Lexus 300.

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  Better than a Rav4$ - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Minipins - December 28 - 2:00 am

  No Major Problems. V-6 is a must!! Has good power. Stereo needs improvement. Lots of interior noise once over 60mph. Cruise takes awhile to kick in once turned. Worth getting the LT Loaded.

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  My Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MickV - December 27 - 5:23 pm

  I first discovered a Trailblazer, at a Hurst Rental Lot...On a test drive it showed, ease of handling, plenty of power, very confortable ride..and a secure feeling. Was very inpressed, my wife also drove it and she is smaller in stature, and enjoyed driving it, so off to the New Car dealership to purchase one We put 2000 miles on it at delivery to Oregon, and it was a very confortable ride at extended periods of driving..even with our 4x4 . Adequate power over the mountain pass,18 MPG overall average. Only thing is the shorter version on our test drive showed the ride not as smooth and confortable as the LT version..so our decision to get the extended version.

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  2000 Chevy Tracker 4WD - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By VinceZ - December 27 - 2:00 am

  I got what I expected: an inexpessive SUV with all the options for running around town with some limited off-road. It held up well in three years without any major problems. The idler belt needed replacement every 12 months or the squeeling drove you crazy.A lot of road noise at over 40 MPH. The interior plastic finish marks and scratches easily. The exterior sheet metal dents easily. The 4WD performed excellently. Braking was fair. Wind causes it to shift in lanes. 4WD shifter vibrates constantly. Rear headrests block viewing out rear view mirror (removed for last 3-years). Can not shut off headlights when car is running.

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  Starts, runs, drives and stops. - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By jet62095 - December 26 - 6:13 am

  I love this truck. I got it age 15 for a first truck. The trans (4L80E) went at 142,993 miles, when it lost reverse. Very comfortable truck, I do notice when I go over bumps, the bed seems to move seperate from the cab. The interior design is pretty good, though the middle seat does not fold down for an arm rest, and the rear seats are locking, which can be a pain.

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  Good all around vechile - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By chevy dude - December 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought this SUV used with 80,000+ on it. I also had to replace EGR water pump, A/C compressor. I have about 123,000 on it now. It is the wifes main transportation with 2 kids in car seats. I have used for everything from towing a utility trailer with 4,000 lbs.of sand, to pulling out small trees stump and all. To pulling cut trees with a chain to the back of the property. Have not had it stuck but have come close ( buried in mud up to the rim). It is picky about the fuel I use. Likes BP the best, premium. Ran much better with new plugs, wires, and K&N air filter.