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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  Suburban K1500 4X4 - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By BourbonK1500 - June 10 - 5:30 pm

  I have mixed reviews on the Suburban. The 4x4 was a must, and has worked well, though i have been stuck. The Suburban is fast for its size and accelerates well, however it gets 10 mpg, and needs the 44 gallon tank, which now gosts about $200 to fill. Since my purchase at the end of 05 I have put 50k on the vehicle but had to replace the fuel pump, alternator, water pump, and the entire rear end, and (get this) 2 new transmissions. First replacement at 80k and one at 110k. Currenlty vehicle has 120k. Nice power locks, windows, leather seats, comfortable to drive and take on trips.

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  03 Trailblazer EXT LT 4WD - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By becky - June 10 - 5:15 pm

  We bought this SUV thinking it would get decent gas mileage and be great for the family. Space is nice and it is very comfortable but the gas mileage is horrible! We get about 11mpg in town and 12-13 on the highway! I havent even had it for 1 year and am looking to sell. If you are looking for something that even gets remotely good gas mileage dont by this car! We had everything looked at to see if there was some sort of problem that caused the bad mpg and everthing was good to go, just bad mileage!

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  Clear - 1993 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mycarrocks - June 10 - 4:10 pm

  We bought our Suburban new in 1993. We still love it dearly. It is an awesome car, the bad thing is it gets 12mpg city.

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  9 months in Colorado in North Carolina - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dale - June 10 - 3:11 pm

  I now have owned the truck for 9 months and have almost 11,000 miles on it. I am still very pleased with this economical, reliable everyday truck. Im still getting 19-20 mpg in everyday driving (even when running the a/c), with 26-27 mpg on trips (at 70-75 mph, no less). The only repairs it has needed in 11,000 miles are a new drivers seat cushion (to fix loose upholstery) and a new HVAC control head (to fix a temperature knob that wouldnt go all the way). Other than those two minor things, its been completely reliable. Im a very satisfied owner, and I wouldnt hesitate to recommend the truck based on my own experience.

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  Awsome deal - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By krock - June 10 - 1:28 pm

  I have owned this car since November of 2007. I absolutely love it! Great trunk space, fun to drive, sporty look, awsome gas mileage and great power for a small engine. It even has a 100,000 mile warranty so I have no worries about my purchase. Oh and I love the mp3 input its very convenient. Great features for a great price.

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  2500HD 6.0 4x4 Reg Cab 64,000 miles - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Rob - June 10 - 12:56 pm

  Wonderful truck in the snow! Gas mileage is what you would expect, lousy. Alternator chewed up rear bearing at 62,000 miles. Seems to rust easy, all front brake lines are very rusty. Had a scare recently, when engine stalls you have no brakes! I guess that would be my only serious complaint about the hydraulic brake system.

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  Best little car ever! - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jes - June 10 - 11:07 am

  I bought this sweet little car right out of high school and have enjoyed it every day since. The only thing I have ever done to my car is get new tires and oil changes. It has never broke down or needed anything replaced. I have driven it hundreds of miles across the country and it is very comfortable for a little cheap car. I have to sell it now because I need a four door car for my new little baby. I am going to cry when my sweet little Cavalier goes away!

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  Love It! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Happy New Owner - June 10 - 7:46 am

  I absolutely love the 2006 Impala SS. It handles like a dream and extremely fun to drive. I am not sure why it is categorized as a sedan because it performs like a sports car. You need to pay attention to your speed becuase you will fly in this vehicle without even realizing it. And when it switches from 8 cyl. to 4 cyl, you dont even know it. And if youre looking for an interior with roomy comfort, this car gives you that and does not look like you are driving grandpas car. Would highly recommend the SS.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By twiglet - June 10 - 2:00 am

  This car really suprised me, with its comfortable seats, and option laden LT version. What more can you ask for for $21k. Once you drive it, you will love it!

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  Ignore the "experts"... a GERAT value. - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By rich n. - June 10 - 2:00 am

  Ignore what the "experts" write. This car is a GREAT value, with a large comfortable interior [Im 62"], quiet ride, satisfactory acceleration/ performance [not as if Im drag racing on I-95 too often], and plenty of creature comforts [I particularly appreciate the on-the-wheel stereo and cruise controls]. Obviously, styling is a personal preference, but I think the car looks sharp outside AND especially inside. My only significant complaint is the rattles that the service department has not solved. I STILL ENJOY GETTING INTO AND DRIVING MY CAR EVERY TIME.