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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  Fast - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jrm1493 - October 18 - 2:15 pm

  Great car, In college my roomate and I built a 91 GTA trans am and I always wanted another F-body. Found this one on a used car lot. The interior is pretty craptastic and there are some squeaks and rattles, but the car is extremely fast, it is well known that the 310hp factory rating was grossly low to make sure the Vette was the king of the GM hill. My car has long tube headers and other bolt ons, probably good for around 325 rwhp (havent dynoed yet). Engine and tranny feel rock solid. My car does have a modified suspension and low profile tires so the ride is harsh but the seats are quite comfortable which help.

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  I love my Blazer but... - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Michelle - October 18 - 12:11 pm

  I bought my truck in Novemember 2001 upgrading from a Cavalier. The truck does great in the snow in MD without being 4WD. I have never had a major problem with it other then the handles on the both seats broke until now. It is paid for and everything has gone wrong with it. ABS brake light wont go out even after numerous trips to the shop, service engine light comes on all the time, I have no heat or A/C. Shop cant figure it out. Occasionally over heats, blower motor went up, ball joints have been replaced 2 times now, transmission starting to fail at 120,000 miles. I love my truck. Handles great but it may be cheaper to go buy a Tahoe!

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  Standard, plain vanilla work truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dan R. - October 18 - 11:56 am

  Only options were automatic trans., HD suspension (Z85) and larger tires. 4.3 liter V6 and 3.42 axle were adequate almost all the time. Occasionally towed a 2,000 ATV trailer and it did well, but I would say the 3.73 axle would have been better with the six. Got as much as 21 mpg on hwy. Very bright headlights, comfortable ride. Dash looks cheap and flimsy, with painted plastic surfaces everywhere. Problems I had in 2 years were ABS module failure, AC compressor failure, and steering intermediate shaft clunk (common problem!), all repaired under warranty.

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  Outstanding rating \ - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By paul bellitto - October 18 - 11:20 am

  I am very pleased with the performace, reliabilty, appearence. I have now 98000 miles and the gas mileage is great, and I repair most on the every day matainence such as brakes, oil change etc. I expect to get long many years from my truck in these trying years with the gas prices.

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  Nice Ride - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Robert - October 18 - 6:26 am

  I now have 67000 miles on my Silverado and I still love it. The LBZ Duramax has never had a wrench on it and the Allison transmission is bulletproof. I regularly tow 10K lb. loads with it and it get 12-13mpg at 80mph through the North Carolina foothills. The ride is exceptionally smooth when compared to my two previous SuperDuty trucks. I got 26mpg on an unloaded trip over three different tanks of fuel averaging 60mph. Great quality. Great resell value. I would definitely consider buying another when the time comes...

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  Still Going Strong - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jim Zis - October 17 - 9:31 pm

  Four and a half years later, still going strong. Pick up from a stop is acceptable and very impressive acceleration in the higher RPM range. Front leather seats have very little side support during turns. Ride is smooth and confortable but road feel in the steering is lacking. In 4 1/2 years the problems have been: Right front wheel bearing went bad, replaced hub and bearing, wire harness at right headlight melted, a new pig tail was installed, memory for driver 2 with all its settings are lost then reappear the next time the vehicle is used, stopped at a traffic light, engine cuts off and the check gauges light comes on, engine will restart fine and the warning light goes off. Lots of ghosts.

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  My 5th Vette. Beyond Comparison - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Mike Zap - October 17 - 7:53 pm

  Bought in Texas. Awesome Drive home! This is the first Corvette I have ever been in that rides as good as it looks and goes. Excellent fit and finish, comfortable seats and of course 400 willing horsepower to punch a hole in the road. Creature comforts like heads up display, power heated seats, dual climate controls, 6 CD Bose sound system all coddle the occupants. Great steering, seat comfort and pedal placement make this car sooooo much fun. The nicest thing about this car is its a Chevy and can be serviced without waiting months for parts or an appointment. Besides all that what could be more American than driving a red Corvette with the top off and my wife sitting at my side?

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  Great Value - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Cavalier9 - October 17 - 5:55 pm

  Bought my Cavalier in 4/04. It is fully loaded with a 5 speed (a must have). Had a $4,000 rebate from GM when it was purchased. Got it for around $14,500 brand new! Have almost 100,000 miles on it. I have a long commute everday to work, and this car has taken it in stride. The only things I have had to replace on this car was a idle control sensor (within the first month after I bought the vehicle), front brake pads (just once), and I just bought my third set of tires. Thats all--I have not even had the rotors turned on this car--I cant believe it. Does suprisingly well in the snow. If you are looking for a great/affordable car--this should without a doubt be your choice.

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  2006 Silverado WT 4WD Reg Cab V8 6.5 bed - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By FE Coyle - October 17 - 1:33 pm

  I purchased this truck to replace my 37 year old GMC which I bought new in 1969. This is the perfect replacement. Its fun to drive ,very good manufacturing quality. I average 20 mpg on highway & 17 in town.I did a lot of research and am very satisfied with my choice.I average about 5000 miles a year on my truck. It is used mostly for pleasure, hunting, fishing etc.

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  No car comes close for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Nat04Z06 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car you can buy under $100,000. Other cars may be faster, others may get better fuel economy and some may look better. But nothing on the road does everything as well as the Corvette/Z06.