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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  2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LT - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Maria - January 3 - 1:55 pm

  This Tahoe is fun to drive. It is sporty with lots of pick up and go yet it still hauls loads well. The interior is extremely comfortable. GM improved the design from the former 1999 Tahoe I had in the past. They put more consideration in for the passengers comfort as well as the driver. It handles very well with extremely good handling on corners and through snow and slushy conditions. Although the gas mileage isnt the greatest (15.9 in the city and 20+ highway)I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  I Love my SUV - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By M.H. - January 3 - 12:47 pm

  Just bought this with all the "bells and whistles" last month. No problems yet. I love it. Very comfortable, great power, and roomy. Exactly what we were looking for. I wanted a minivan and hubby wanted a pick up so this was the perfect compromise.

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  2005 Chevy SS - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By wileyss - January 3 - 6:08 am

  At 111,000 miles, best vehicle i have ever owned. Sharp, snappy, and handles like a deram. No major issues other than my heater module has gone out twice. Bought this truck new from an older salesman. His piece of advice was to never sell this truck, and i wont. I live near Lake Tahoe and take this truck skiing often without worry. Have never been stuck. Pulls my enclosed trailer to Sturgis and is my daily commuter.

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  Lovin it - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By josho - January 3 - 3:46 am

  This truck is a great one. It does everything I need it to do. Great power and looks better than any other brand on the market. I have the LT1 with leather, and the interior looks good. Its a truck, what do you want to look like a Corvette dash? If you use a truck as a truck, this one is perfect.

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  So Far Love It! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Vin - January 2 - 10:36 am

  I owned many new cars over my life. The Cobalt had one of the best build qualities of any of them. The Cobalt is a very solid well built car, GM has there act together on this one. Ive owned it for 2 months now and have yet to find anything wrong. The cars ride is solid, the interior is very comfortable and the fuel economy is averaging 24 city 31 hwy. Im not complaining since my last car was averaging 13. The MP-3 stereo with the pioneer speaker system has a sound that has to be heard. I could drive this car for hours. Its fun to drive and very sporty to look at. The trunk is enormous. I would suggest the Cobalt to anyone looking for a solid car.

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  Its about time - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By purdueguy - January 2 - 12:30 am

  This was my first truck purchase and I wasnt disappointed. The Z71 package provides a stiff ride, which reminds me that Im in a truck. I get better gas mileage that my previous two SUVs. The truck is the perfect size. The baby seat fits in the rear seat, and I have no problem with parking (even in downtown Chicago). Overall, I would recommend this truck to anyone.

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  GM got it right - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By tallmug - January 1 - 8:26 pm

  The interior of this car is excellent and very functional. My family of four fits great. The leg room in the back seat is great. I was tired of my daughter in her car seat kicking the back of my seat in our Saab. I used the car to transport an enormous amount of junk the other day, and it fit wonderfully. The only complaint is the plastic interior materials need to be of a little higher quality.

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  But This Van - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By doublell1 - January 1 - 2:35 pm

  This van is by for the best van for the year. Just got back from a 3500 mile road trip. Smooth ride on interstate and 2 and 4 lane back roads. Mileage was good at around 25-28 with a full load of people and cargo. Next one will be an 05. Too bad Chevy replaced it with a Uplander!

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  Z71: Im glad to buy American Again - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By USAPride - January 1 - 10:00 am

  GMs incredible incentives were enough to prompt me to sell my Acura MDX in favor of my 1st-choice Chevy Tahoe Z71. So far, I have absolutely NO regrets. The SportUte is awesome. Easy to maneuver, exceptionally comfortable, fantastic sounding XM satellite stereo, and an overall pleasure to drive. Nobody can match this vehicle for the price. Though red was never previously my thing, mine is Redfire Metallic w/tan leather and looks excellent. If youre in the market, you owe it to youself to check these out before you buy!

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  Whatta Puller! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Y2K_MPV - January 1 - 10:00 am

  Heckuva truck! I am pulling a 6000 lb. travel trailer with the 6.0 liter and 4sp auto. This truck was built to pull and pull it does. On hills that would have lesser trucks in 3rd gear this one marches up in overdrive. The mileage runs in the mid 12s. It sounds low but one has to consider the 4.10 gears which gives it the power. I am thoroughly satisfied.