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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  the best suv - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Vic Lashewitz - May 15 - 2:00 am

  very comfortable ride. Driving was fun, for being 55 years old, the drive from Cincinnati OH to Miami FL. was a joy. The quiet ride and smooth Driving did it. I towed a 18 ft bass boat no problems. At one time during the trip did get up to 19 mpg.

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  TRAILBLAZER EXT 04 MODEL - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By carbuyer2 - May 14 - 10:00 am

  After a twelve hour shift in the ER you really need a smooth ride home, especially at midnight. It definately is a smooth ride. The kids love it as much as I do. Going on vacation is not a problem any more. The rear seat entertainment system allows the kids to listen to one of their Cds on headphones in the back, and my husband and I are allowed the radio or cassette player at the same time, not to mention we have plenty of room for the suitcases!The only thing I have found is in the winter when we leave the car to heat up we usually leave it around 90 or 80 degrees, and the car sets itself to 70.

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  TANEYTOWN TRUCKIN! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By CHRIS COOL - May 14 - 10:00 am

  VERY POWERFUL,RELIABLE TRUCK! LOTS OF ROOM GOOD LOOKS TOO!

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  Great Family Truck - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By S. Adler - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun truck to drive. I have found it to be reliable, roomy and dependable. My family and grandkids love it. Great to take fishing, camping and on long trips.Contrary to test reports I have found the steering and handling to be very good.

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  First Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By bellterp - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This is my first truck. Looked at Ford and Dodge went with the Chevy. Best pick I ever made. Rids like a car. Gas mileage is poor but that is what you get with a 5.3 V8.

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  My Prizm rides well! - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By vtowns - May 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in March of 2000, and love the style, the way it handles, and the gas mileage is great! However, it could be more comfortable, the seats are not at all comfortable, and there could be more leg room in the back seat, and it could take dings a little better too. Overall, its a great car!

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  99 Tahoe - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By BNic61 - May 13 - 2:00 am

  very good vehicle for family use...spacious..comfortable...good front and rear air.......strong motor..good style

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  95 Corvette Coupe - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ssracing - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Mine is the basic model, that is still completely stock (except a K&N filter), and with the automatic tranny Ive run the 1/4 mile in 13.66 at 101 mph. Its a lot of fun to drive and people always stop to comment on the color, Bright Aqua Metallic (also the least produced color, besides the Gran Sport purple). It has 58K miles and Ive had no mechanical problems. A couple of electrical bugs, but no big deal. I love it!

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  just bought - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Tauja - May 11 - 1:16 pm

  Well I have only had this vehicle going on a month now, but so far it is okay. The 05 model appealed to me because it was stylish and spacious at the same time. I really like the chrome details, especially on the black and red. My family and I are tall, so for us to fit comfortably is important. The only thing is, without looking at the logo this car can be mistaken for many others out there. Also by purchasing a 4cyl, I saved money, but was surprised by the amount of power the car still has for it only to be a 4cyl. The gas mileage is great.

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  A good commuter car. - 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV
  By limee - May 11 - 7:44 am

  Have had the car since August. Over 2000 miles on it so far.Acceleration is brisk and satisfying. Quite comfortable over bumps despite its small size and you can certainly appreciate the battery pack being slung low which really improves the handling and it feels solid and not chintzy. Be aware that using the heater really sucks the battery life very quickly, just use the seat heaters. I commute 45 miles a day and there is plenty of battery life in at at the end of the day, just plug into 110 and its ready for work fully charged the next morning. Sound system is just OK. Interior plastics are hard, doors sound flimsy and takes practice in closing them 1st time, everytime.