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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  2002 Chevy S-10 - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jacquelyn - June 18 - 2:00 am

  I love my truck. This is the 2nd S-10 I have owned and I have always regretted trading the first one. I dont drive much, as I am disabled and also use a disabled bus for long distances. I use it for errands close by, etc. After almost 2 1/2 years, it is still in immaculate, brand new condition with a whopping 1250 miles on it. I still change the oil, even though the mechanics tell me that my oil is cleaner than what they put in cars. Its a shame that Chevy stopped making this modeal. They only make the extended cab versions of the S-10, which is a very popular 4 cyclinder pick up. Love it!

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  Best Towing Minivan made - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By 44TR - June 18 - 2:00 am

  Our family of four has been using this as a family vehicle for a year, with several long distance trips towing a popup camper. The ride and comfort are excellent we get 18mpg city 22mpg hwy and 18-20 towing. But the bottom line is that if you want a minivan that has no trouble pulling a trailer 2500 lbs or more, then the Astro/Safari is your only choice.

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  my fun machine - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By iriahman55j - June 18 - 2:00 am

  this is one of the best vans that i have ever driven. i have driven all the way to virginia and back with it. i am now planning a trip to seattle, washington this year.

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  i love my chevy cavalier - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By galaxiewoman26 - June 18 - 2:00 am

  i like my car .. theres no other car id rather have..its good on gas.. and its very dependable..

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  Time to Review - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Bruce Rogers - June 18 - 2:00 am

  We have owned our 1500 LT (w/autoride) for close to two years. We routinely load our car with six people. We have crossed the USA and made several interstate trips. Weve driven in snow and off road in the Mojave Desert. We have realized 18 mpg on the highways … not too bad considering much smaller cars (read sport cars) and smaller SUVs get worse. In short, I feel very fortunate to own such a safe and well performing car. One problem, however, was that the sunroof motor had to be replaced. If you are considering a large SUV, you owe it to yourself to experience the Suburban.

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  Fun new car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Brenda - June 17 - 12:10 pm

  I have owned my Cobalt for over a month and it has been exceptional in fuel economy, its fun to drive and handles well. The engine impressed me with its quickness. It doesnt have a lot of road noise and the ride is nice for a small car. Its a great step up from the Cavalier, that basically a disposable car. The frame and body on this car is built more solidly, and the styling is nice, especially the rear end style. Nice that it has 15 inch wheels on a small car. Just a real fun and nice car to drive.

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  Best SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Frank Romeo - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV, good styling, great comfort, tough truck chassis.

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  Top-of-the Line - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Manitouchuck - June 16 - 8:36 am

  Drove a 93 Toyota 4x4 Ext. cab I bought new for 15 years (200k) & loved it. Was planning on a new Tundra, researched all the 1500s & Silverado is hands down the best. 5600 miles since 4/7/08, runs like a fine watch, quiet and smooth. If I take it easy 17-18 mpg in city with some freeway, 20-22 on the hwy on the DIC. You can drop 1-1.5 mpg off the DIC mileage & be close. If you get into the torque, goodbye mileage. You can be a hyper-miler if you watch the DIC, learn when to coast on your daily drives, and save your brakes & dollars. I dont have any major complaints, it is as reviewed by many here. I have Z71, wanted Z85 w/6-spd tran. but they ship mostly Z71 on lot. Ill drive it 15+ & like it!

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  2001 Chevy Tahoe Z71 - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bpgerl - June 16 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a vehicle that I have wanted for a while and now that I own it I am more than satisfied with it. It is a very comfortable ride and exterior look of the vehicle are very sharp. I like the Z71 package because it makes it a more sporty looking SUV than the regular Tahoe LS/LT. Mechanically this vehicle is very sound and its performance is top of the line. I plan on going off roading a little bit and I know this will be the right vehicle for me. So I recommend a Tahoe, but I prefer the Z71 over the others with all the options. I love this vehicle and plan on keeping it for a very long time.

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  i love it - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Walter Knadler - June 15 - 9:55 pm

  I got it new in 2005, changed all fluids after 5 years, had new brakes because of lack of use......its my 3rd vehicle but I love it.....45,000 miles on it....... wont hold a big load....but the ride is great........... towing is ok..........but its really just a great riding all around vehicle...............only real complaint is the the brakes a very soft pedal action......I asked the dealer and they said that was they way it is.........they work good but I think soft.......this is my 3 avalanche and hope to keep it forever.....i am 70 years old.....its just a great all around vehicle.....