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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  Great SUV -Z71! - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Pasta - March 17 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV! If youre looking for a family vechicle and dont want to be Minivan person...this is the SUV for you...not great on gas...not bad either considering the size and the power...on long trip I average 17 mpg...naturally slightly over the posted speed, though if you stay at 65 mpg or below the consumption improves to about 20 mpg. Overall, if you undecided and want my advice...GO FOR IT!

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  Delivers - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ivan - March 17 - 2:00 am

  The Trailblazer delivers room, comfort, reasonable gas milage and a high level of technical development. However, it could use an independent rear suspension. Truck-like in turns. Otherwise, as smooth as cream.

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  Delivers - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ivan - March 17 - 2:00 am

  The Trailblazer delivers room, comfort, reasonable gas milage and a high level of technical development. However, it could use an independent rear suspension. Truck-like in turns. Otherwise, as smooth as cream.

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  Chevy Silverado 2003 Best Yet - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Haywood - March 17 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Silverado to own. They have made many improvements over the years. The 2003 are no exception. The Truck is very smooth ride even at high speeds. The 5.3L V8 has plenty of power to spare. The interior is very spacious and seats 5 very well.

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  Upset Bazer Owner - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Corey - March 16 - 6:14 pm

  My truck only has 71,657 miles. My upper and lower ball joints went bad and my engine went bad. I ended up spending 5,217.00 just to get it running again.

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  High Milage - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By msauerbrey - March 16 - 8:34 am

  I purchased this Truck Oct 2009 with 3000 miles. It actually has a 5.3 V8 Flex fuel engine. I drive this truck all the time as a salesman. It now has 110,000 miles on it. I have done nothing except change the rear breaks. I added dual exhaust. It runs as good as it did when it was new. At 70-75mph I get 19 mpg. In town around 15mpg. The truck is very dependable. I have driven other Chevy trucks as sale vehicles and 300,000 miles is not hard to get out of these trucks. However the gas milage is killing me right now.

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  Camaro Forever!!! - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Noir Espoir - March 16 - 4:01 am

  This car does not deserve the untimely demise GM has sentenced it to. Performance wise (and look & quality wise) this car blasts the mustang (and everything else near this sports car price range) out of the water. Fuel economy is none too good, but im willing to forgive & forget. Good fun, beautiful, reliable car. An American Classic.(this goes for the Firebird as well)

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  Same problems as others. - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By James Nemanich - March 15 - 2:31 pm

  I just wanted to say that I am having the same problems others are having. Transmission out, electronic fuel sending system (Controlls fuel guage) replaced 2 times, waterpump, heater core, wheel berings, window motors. GM sold these with the new Dex Cool engine coolant. Around 1999 they discovered this was breaking down and causing internal engine rust. Id trade in before 70k.

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  Great Car, Bad Dealer Support - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By sbarer - March 15 - 1:01 am

  The Corvette Convertible offers a level of technology, performance, style and substance that extends far beyond its price tag. While some technofiles might blab for hours about the Corvettes engine datasheet shortcomings, such as a lack of multiple valves and varible valve timing, on the road, where it counts, the LS1 shows that even OHV engines benefit from high tech in the form of never-ending power, 33mpg range and bullet-proof quality. Good looks on the outside. The best gauge cluster on the market inside. Although seats and interior fit disappointing.

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  King of the Road - 2000 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Cougar87 - March 14 - 8:57 pm

  King of the Road - thats how I feel behind the wheel of my 2000 Suburban. This is the ultimate "Load up the kids and all their stuff and take a Road Trip" vehicle. At 22000 miles only problems have been both rear window actuators and one rear door power lock went out (dealer replaced in one morning) - this seems to be a common problem from other reviews Ive read. Quiet, confident driving on the highway. Plenty of power (Im not expecting race-car like performance) and towing capacity. I love my Suburban!