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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  Just got a new Tahoe LTZ - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By nctahoe - February 7 - 11:22 am

  I just got my Tahoe LTZ. I love it, it drives great and its very comfortable. I like how the LTZ comes standard with navigation, i drive a lot and it is really helpful. I got it in black and with the 20" chrome rims and the chrome handles it definentley stands out. I also love the power deployed side steps.

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  Great Truck Will Be Buying A Newer One - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Cherilynn - February 7 - 7:33 am

  I Love, Love, Love this truck.. This is the second truck I have owned from chevrolet. I have never had a problem with this truck other then routine maintance. So this truck is a must have for a person who is looking for both power, reliability and Comfort.

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  A compromise - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Drew - February 6 - 6:35 pm

  Im 65"tall with long legs and after spending nearly a year trying find a SUV that I could fit my legs into and drive without my knees hitting the drivers door armrest on the left and a place my right leg comfortably without hitting the stupid center console, which most exaggerate these days. The Trailblazer was the smallest SUV I could drive without bumping my legs or knees somewhere and get acceptable gas mileage. Even the new Tahoes have less leg room. Tried the Acadia too, No Dice! Pretty sad when most cars dont fit. I really like the vehicle, got all the bells and whistles I need and its comfortable, fun to drive and handles well. I traded in a 99 Yukon w/230K miles on it.

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  Runs good....for a couple of years - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By elmonto - February 6 - 2:12 pm

  I had my Impala worry free for about 3 years. Then I had to replace the head gaskets at 56K miles, which were about $800. Then the tie rods went, which were about $200 a piece. Now its the security system, for a second time. I replaced the ignition switch in August and it was fine until January. Then I replaced the switch and the cylinder but it still wont start, and waiting 10 minutes for the sec. system to reset does not work. Now its just sitting in my driveway looking dumb while my 88 Oldsmobile with 255k on the odometer starts fine every day. I loved my car when I first got it, but now i just want to get rid of it, and I am still making payments on a driveway fixture.

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  Chevy Rocks!!! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By zzeebb2 - February 6 - 10:00 am

  This is by far the best looking SUV in its class! Great power and oohh so smooth on the Highway. Took it off road with no regrets...took on the bayou with ease. This SUV has the power, looks and spunk to take on anything domestic and overseas!!! Like a ROCK!!!

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  It must be "Buttah" - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TG - February 6 - 10:00 am

  I test drove all the TBlazers competitors and this truck rides by far the smoothest. The steering is flawless and the power is "money". The payload is roomy and you can take the gang and all their golf clubs to the course easily...not to mention fitting customers in the back seat. This is a no brainer buy.

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  It must be "Buttah" - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tg - February 6 - 10:00 am

  I test drove all the TBlazers competitors and this truck rides by far the smoothest. The steering is flawless and the power is "money". The payload is roomy and you can take the gang and all their golf clubs to the course easily...not to mention fitting customers in the back seat. This is a no brainer buy.

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  Disappointedchevyowner - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By neverbuychevyagain - February 5 - 8:28 pm

  I bought a "certified" used 2002 from the dealership w/ extended warranty. this broke down 3 days after I drove it off the lot. took 3 weeks to get back. I have had nothing but 1 problem after another in 4 yrs of ownership. Engine just went at 70k (manuf defect w/ cyl wall) and after 6 weeks I finally get back with used engine that doesnt run right. On way home front suspension fell apart- not put back together properly. Calls to Chevy/GM were no help. GM will not stand behind their vehicles and basically acted like they didnt even want to hear about my problem. GM refused to give new engine or guarantee on used engine. Ill never buy GM again. Getting Subaru if I ever get back.

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  Great bang for the buck - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By love my chevy - February 5 - 3:54 pm

  This car is so fun to drive. The perfect mixture of performance and fuel economy. We bought this car with a lot of highway mileage but it was a great little car. It still is and we have only had small problems that were easily fixed and back on the road. Even the usual gasket problem didnt affect it until over 120,000 miles. I cant complain. Beats the old Ford Taurus by a long shot.

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  Speed limits are only numbers. - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Darma - February 5 - 3:52 pm

  My review title is a little misleading. For the most part, I do respect the speed limits (sort of). I bought my Z06 new and absolutely love it. Its a pain to keep clean since its black, but I wouldnt have any other color. The car is really fast and if I keep it in 6th on the freeway I can maintain 28 MPG. I knew when I bought my Vette that there wasnt much leather on the interior. So those of you out there shouldnt complain after the fact. this is an amazing car. Did I mention that its fast?