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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  Silverado 2500 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By upsdriv513 - April 21 - 1:00 pm

  A pretty solid truck. The 4 door extended cab comes in handy for loading the kids or groceries. Not real happy with the gas mileage which is an average of 15 mpg. However the 6.0L vortec delivers tons of power when needed. With the towing pkg option you can almost forget you have a tailer behind you. No complaints with the 4X4 system in either mud or snow. The steering tire combination tends to grab and dip in a little on quick maneuvers or higher speed turns, but no doubt that also has to do with the large size of a 3/4 ton.

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  08 Tahoe purchase - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By D S W - April 21 - 11:51 am

  Compaired Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia, bought the Tahoe. A lot more equiptment for the money, nicer interior and better gas mileage. New 100K/5yr warranty also helped with decission. I have the LTZ with all the toys and they all work as advertised. Ride is very smooth,the V8 to V4 modes are seamless. Biggest negative is rear seating, especially the 3rd row and the lack of independant rear suspension. The Toyota is the winner in these areas. The 08 Tahoe appears larger than my 03 Tahoe Z71 , but it has the same dimentions. The 08 is less truck like than the 03 with a lower dash. The 03 did have more storage areas than the 08.

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  Best Car Ever! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Tonya - April 21 - 10:58 am

  I bought this car with 7 miles on it in 2002. Since then I have pretty much driven the heck out of it. Had a rear light replaced and emissions sticker put on as far as the recall, but the only major thing Ive replaced was the fuel pump. Im pretty hard on cars, so of course Ive had general maintenance work, including brakes....and maybe a tire or 3. This car gets great gas mileage, even with the A/C on. I drive all over, so I needed something economical. This makes my 3rd Cavalier. Previously I owned a 1988 and 1994, both were great cars. I will drive this car til it falls apart, since GM discontinued it. This car has been the very best. Plus, its completely paid off!

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  Love this Car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By mrc - April 21 - 12:03 am

  The Impala SS is a solid fun to drive car. Fit and trim are excellent. I love the power and DOD as well. I miss my Trans Am but this car is much more comfortable and practical. It sounds great. All the neighbors had to come see it. Compares favorably against the imports...regards

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  Lotsa bang for my buck so far! - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Alex - April 20 - 11:24 pm

  After a $5K rebate, took mine home for $23,655 before fees and taxes. Mine came with the 2LT trim w/Z71 off road pkg. So far, no mechanical problems, but wish it was available with a 5 or 6 spd. manual tranny. Am not really sure either why the editor(s) panned it so much. Friend of mine bought a Nissan Frontier and if were comparing interior fit and finish alone, Id say they are the same.

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  Problems - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ron - April 20 - 7:50 pm

  Bought it with 120,000 on it, concerned about the engine and tranny but had them checked out and until now 170,000 (tranny is out) both have done well. However everything else seemingly has gone wrong. Ignition switch, heater control, abs system, wheel sensors and on and on.

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  Recommended - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Recommended - April 20 - 6:06 pm

  Excellent overall vehicle. I drive fairly gently, obey speed limits, and use cruise control. 22.5 mpg hwy and 17.5 mpg city. When wanted, great power from the inline 6 cyl (275 hp). Fantastic brakes! Super-tight turning radius... Made driving/parking in chicago a breeze. I bought used with 7k mi 3/06 now has 39.5k mi... Absolutely no problems. 4wd works well... several excursions beach driving at Outer Banks, NC without problems (deflate tires to 15-20psi). I suggest changing OEM tires from Goodyears. I installed Michelin LTX tires and handling, ride, and offroad greatly improved! Outstanding everyday vehicle, in my opinion.

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  Like a rock - 2001 Chevrolet Lumina
  By kalibur - April 20 - 6:06 pm

  I bought this car for 700 dollars with 95,500 miles on it from a friend in the towing business. It needed a transmission paid 450 for it 300 to install it. AC went out four months later other than that no major mechanical problems. good on gas if you fill the tank (20-24 city 29-33 highway)the only problem i with the car is the bland interior and exterior chevy should have sent the lumina out with a bang such as adding cd player, power seats, alloy rims,fog lights,sun roof, power mirrors. the only luxury feature it has is the keyless entry and trunk release

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  Great Family Vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Bucko - April 20 - 11:52 am

  Have owned the Equinox for 6 months now and all in all is a great value. We purchased an 07 1LT with the 17" chrome wheels, which make it look great. I like the sporty look, ride and handling, but, im not that impressed with the gas mileage, I get the same mileage with a 2000 grand cherokee as this. I also hate the recessed windshield, it is a pain in the rear to brush snow off, my hood is scratched and chipped after one winter.

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  Amazing truck - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Bowtie - April 20 - 1:43 am

  This truck has been great. A long awaited replacment of the S-10 (and I had 1). I have the Z-71 package and it does well off-road and I have put it through its paces.