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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  chev k2500 - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By haerrman - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Just as good as the 2500HD, infact the inside golve box sticker allows higher camper rating for the 2500 over the HD model. 48K miles / have only changed the oil every 3k / no other issues...

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  OK except for repeated frontend problem - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Netman - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I love the car but I have had repeated front end problems. Problem is associated with the "intermediate shaft bearing" so the dealer says. It has been "fixed" several time. I am trading it in.

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  The best of compact sedans - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By fasp27 - January 1 - 2:00 am

  It have a very powerful engine for it side. In comparison with cars of the same side and engines less powerful, the fuel economy is very good. The exterior design,engineered more than a decade ago, as you say, still look better than the cars of the same category and with more resent design. The exterior design of this car, give the opportunity for make modification that give it to it a very strong sport sedan look. The weakness of this car, are easy to fix, with just a few money investment. Something almost imposible in others cars of the same category.

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  Great Truck - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jake - December 31 - 3:14 pm

  I bought this truck in 2008, for a little over 2000 dollars. It needed an egr valve that is relativly inexpensive to fix, and since I have had no problems and it has been very reliable and effecient. I drive in mostly backroads and almost no highway driving situations and it only cost about 20 bucks to fill each week, I would definitley reccommend this truck to anyone. It also has a great 4x4 stystem. I have driven with it in 6 inches of snow and have pulled a few Toyotas out of ditches in the rain and ice and I have no complaints on its power or ability.

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  Drive it once and youll want one - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Sandy - December 31 - 2:37 pm

  I love my Tahoe. It is my third Tahoe and I cant say enough good things about it. Drives wonderful, smooth and quiet. Radio is awesome! Gas mileage is not much different from a mini van. Gives me a safe feeling when driving it. Handles and turning ratio is great.

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  $22000 Junk - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MALIBU - December 31 - 2:33 pm

  Bought this car with 19,000 miles on it when it was a year old. Had to have steering gear replaced under warranty at 35,000 miles and now at 66,000 miles it needs replaced again. The rear tires which have good tread make such a noise in cabin its terrible. Actually sounds like bad bearings. Today the dash evidently developed a short in instrument panel as the gas gauge quit and the temp gauge goes 0 to half then back again. This car cost approximately $23,000 new and at 2 yrs old and 66,000 miles it is going to start costing me due to evidently cheap parts. Chevy lost a repeat customer due to this car of poor quality. Toyota here I come.

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  Owner Review 2009 Suburban - 2009 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Wayne Dykstra - December 31 - 12:24 pm

  Purchased a 2009 Suburban, my 12th Suburban since 1980. The vehicle is the best designed, finshed and highest quality Suburban yet. Fit and finish are perfect and engine noise is nonexistant. The handling and steering are perfectly tuned, and the vehicle feels like a lightweight crossover when you are cornering and drving city traffic. Amazing how they have accomplished it. For anyone who needs a big SUV (as I do) you cannot do better than this one. My only complaint is that Chevy cant figure out how to make the middle row seats lay flat. A very minor issue, however. On a scale of owner satisfaction and value I would rate my Suburban as a 9.8.

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  Enjoy Driving It! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By riderblues - December 31 - 12:19 pm

  It is a fun car to drive around town or the interstate. I perfer interstate driving. Easy to drive, switching lanes passing another vehicle goes very smoothly. Very east to park not to be of a car, but will hold alot of stuff with the back seat laying flat.

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  Love this car - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Phil Burch - December 31 - 11:58 am

  My wife and I have made 2 trips from Phx. Az to Bogalusa, Louisiana (1551 miles) this year and have averaged over 37 miles per gallon. Our gas only cost us $60 each way. Not bad at all. It is very comfortable on a long trip and has plenty of space for luggage and our dog. On the long stretches I put it on cruise control and she just hummed up and down hills. We love this car.

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  Capacity, Power, Luxury and style - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Bob S - December 31 - 11:39 am

  Driving my new Suburban has been a total pleasure. The LTZ trim package makes this a true luxury to drive. The power towing capacity and room for 8 make this the total package for large families. This is first time my wife has ever uses a truck more then me. She likes driving our Suburban as much as I do and I dont mind beaning a passenger for a change. Our standards for this vehicle have been high traded in a Toyota 4 Runner and Chevy has really won me back with a quality product. In this class of vehicle there is no computation just the standard Suburban.