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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  Junk bed - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By straight working - January 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my duramax 2500 since sept. 2008, I use it for work which it has a 110 gallon fuel tank and a weather guard saddle tool box. In one year of use the bed is pushing out and cracking along the sides at the end of the tool box. Ive own two Dodge 2500s and never had the problem, dealer states the problem as having to much weight. I think Chevy needs to build a better bed for the 2500s for guys who use their trucks for work. Also took the truck in three times to have interior tighten up do to rattles. Otherwise truck is not bad for pulling trailers and cruising around, dont put anything on bed rails!!!

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  Satisfied but not thrilled - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By andymick32 - January 12 - 3:26 pm

  Ive now owned my Silverado LTZ for 3.5 years. I havent had any major problems, but have had my fair share of small ones. I had a battery problem when I first bought the truck that the dealer replaced. I needed to replace a rear wiring harness that had corroded, the electronic rear sliding window broke and needed replaced, the DVD broke and needed new wiring, my air bag sensor went bad and also needed replaced. I love the exterior and interior looks of the truck, but am disappointed with the electrical issues so far. The truck has so many bells and whistles that things are going to quit working eventually. Fuel economy is okay so far. I average 15 mpg city and 18.5-19 on the highway.

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  Good stuff - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Antnmatt - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Not into the overstyling of the Ford or Dodge. Like the Toyota but the Chevy had the biggest ext cab. Very impressed with the heated leather and the controls. Plenty of power with the 5.3 and I would worry about the tranny if it had more power. The limited slip comes with LTs but I wouldnt get any P/up without it. Too much power to the rear and it would be worthless in the rain. Awesome with the limited slip.

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  10days owning 5days of driving the truc - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rad252 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  this is my 3rd blazer but my first new car i test drove a dodge and hated it. i was always a chevy man so i took a trail blazer out and fell in love with and drove out with it that night. that week we had a snow storm and put it 4 wheel drive to pick up mmy son from school on my way home (172 miles on the truck ) i had reduced power and service engine soon light came on i took it to the dealer that fri night and had to wait 4 days for a fuel pedal accelerator module,. after i got the truck back the truck runs good and rides great

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  still styling and smiling - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By stillrollin - January 9 - 7:36 pm

  I have a Dale Earnhardt edition and have been pleased. 95k miles and still goin. other than routine maint.and cat.converter.Recently had to change the t-stat,but after 94k, no problem. Havent changed brakes or even wiper blades, dont know whats up with that, crazy. Peppy and still stops on a dime. I really dont drive aggressively. But nice to know I could when I need to. My girl loves the seat warmer. When shes washed and polished,well its Black!More than I expected.

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  Perfect truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By owenwrico - January 7 - 3:33 am

  This truck is great for any young teenager looking for a first truck. If you want something fun fast with good handling then this is your truck. Sure it may have a little clunk in the transmission buut eh a little issue.

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  only 20 miles so far, but... - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By maxx_owner - January 5 - 2:00 am

  No long-term info here. I just bought this car. I had been waiting forever to GM to make a reasonably priced sporty wagon with AWD. Although the MAXX isnt particularly sporty and only has FWD, I couldn’t wait any longer. I had a sports car before, so in comparison the ride and handling are very "cushy," but I am quickly getting used to that! I thought I got a lot of options for the price. The fit and finish are nice and the interior is very roomy. The cars outward appearance makes it a "sleeper.” I think this is a flexible car that has features and utility that would be great for anyone.

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  GREAT RIDE - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By F PEREZ - January 5 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR, THE ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT WAS HAVING A CASETTE IN THE CAR-NOBODY USES CASETTE ANY MORE.IT IS LIKE PUTTING AN 8 TRACK PLAYERIN A CAR.

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  LS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Duane n - January 5 - 2:00 am

  If you can not afford the SS buy the LS option, its fun to drive. Great pick up with the 3800 engine not quite like the SS, but a lot better than the smaller engine, the handling is great. With gas prices rising the 3800 has great mpg numbers.

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  super Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By user682012 - January 5 - 2:00 am

  After driving regular automobiles this vehicle is fun to drive and has the poer/performance of a sports car. I drove a Lincoln mkV111 for ten years, it felt good, but the Z71 has a similar performance and more room. Excellent vehicle