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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  2000 Blazer ZR2 - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Peterbilt03 - November 30 - 4:17 am

  Owned Blazer for a year, proved to be fun to drive and handled snow well, but overall not pleased. The V-6 seemed really thirsty even with my unspirited driving habits and wasnt much for power. I rated low for good reasons. The seat trim on drivers seat trim was ripped off the first time my pant leg caught it, pass seat recliner handle broke off, weak door bushings and seal, interior rattled constantly. Service Engine lamp was almost constatly illuminated after repeated trips to numerous dealers and numerous pricey repairs. 4wheel drive was slow to engauge and even slower to disengauge, when equipped with swinging spare tire mount there is no additional support causing dents if opened to hard

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  I love this truck! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By racinmason - November 30 - 12:17 am

  This was my first vehicle I bought myself in April of 2001. I still have it, still drive it and still love it. Over the years this truck has been very reliable and the quality is great. The only problem I have with it is the 2.2L 4cylinder engine. bad idea on GMs part, engine is way too small for this truck and eats gas like crazy and extremely underpowered, 4:10 gears dont help fuel consumption either, 21mpg at best and thats driving it easy.

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  Awesome Z51 - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By gsrileyjr - November 29 - 4:40 pm

  If youre going to get a C6, make sure to invest in the Z51 package. It makes all the difference in the world. I owned a 1997 C5, and the difference between the two is like night and day. Im not thrilled with the navigation system only because I would have rather had the in-dash 6-CD changer as opposed to the single CD player.

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  2008 Black Coupe - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Howard Clem - November 29 - 1:07 pm

  I have owned Vettes starting with 67, 76, 95, 99 and now a 2008. All were coupes with the exception of the 67 that was a vert. I use to say that the best build quality was the 67 until I purchased the 1999 and the most aggressive looking body style and bay far the best bass sound from the bose stereo was the 95. However, the 2008 coupe is by far the best overall corvette I have ever owned. My 99 was a great car with the z51 handling package but I picked up my 2008 and drove it 800 miles in 2 days and it hands down has the best ride and driver seat comfort. GM continues to impove on the American Icon each generation and I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to own one.

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  Regular Cab LS / Automatic w/3.5 - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By KC - November 29 - 12:10 pm

  The truck rides and drives just like a midsize car, not like what most people think of for a pickup trip. I have the base suspension, not the stiff off road suspension, yet I have 4WD. That makes for a much smoother ride. Even my wife thinks it drives and rides very well.The seats are supportive yet comfortable. So far, a great purchase for our family! :)

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  Best US sports car you can buy - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By greg - November 28 - 7:08 pm

  For the money, the Corvette is a nearly impecible sports car. The car is extremely fun to drive. Ive had the car for 6 months and dont regret it at all. The only American vehicle to make forbes recent top vehicle list, it ties for first with the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG. I believe it deserves this title. You will probaly never use the speed but its extremely fun to have. The quality and speed could be compared to that of the Porshe, Maserati, and maybe a Ferrari. All in all if you are thinking of buying a corvette, stop thinking and start doing.

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  2001 chevy s-10 2.2 j. motor - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By jessie fritz - November 28 - 2:02 pm

  The ride quality is not very good ,needs more power for such a heavy truck with an automatic 4 banger (120hp isnt enough).even with a 4 cyl. it still gets horrible gas mileage. (15mpg)I like the styling though, wish i had a 4.3 with the zq8 suspension. the ball joints go bad and my door hinge pins need replaced and at 96k miles it already has seal leaks all over the engine. I like the style of truck. A good truck for the money i guess.

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  3rd Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dave - November 28 - 10:26 am

  I have owned three Impalas ranging from 2001 to 2006. Still own all three. I am very pleased with the new 2006 model. Comfortable ride, good gas mileage, very nice interior and exterior improvements. Test drove several cars, still came back to the Impala for overall value.

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  Great New Car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By justin06 - November 27 - 10:46 pm

  Ive owned my Cobalt for almost three months now and I am highly satisfied with it. It is leaps and bounds better than my previous car, a 2004 Dodge Neon. Its a sporty coupe, which is exactly what I wanted. Even with all the extra features ordered, it only came to 17K. While shopping, it was between the Cobalt or the new, 2006 Civic, and I chose the Cobalt because it included more options at a lower price. To receive the same with the Civic, I would have had to purchase the highest-end model. All in all, my Cobalt coupe has been a pleasure to own.

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  Great Car - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Larry Marquez - November 27 - 6:21 pm

  Most of the people that I know including mechanics love this car. Now I know why. Its a joy to drive. I dislike the new European styling so this is the car for me. GM has a winner in this SUV. Recently found out the the small Hummer uses the same chasis.