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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  Think Twice! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By WWooten - October 27 - 6:48 pm

  Everything has went wrong with this car. It has been a huge money pit. Make sure to have an inspection done prior to purchasing. I have had problems with everything from the transmission to the fuse box.

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  Good 4x4 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By CP - October 27 - 6:00 am

  I purchased used with 40,000 miles for the 4x4. I live in a semi-rural area and the roads dont get treated. I have the 5.3 V8, and G80 locker. For the two months Ive driven, it has worked like a charm. Been using the AutoTrac 4x4 which is the button system that goes into 4WD Auto, which is AWD. Had to dig the wheels out a little when I drove into 3 high snow in my driveway. I rocked the truck back and forth a couple of times and was out. I get around 20 mpg on country roads and highway. I dont drive heavy footed, usually 65-75 hwy. Only thing that I find annoying is the wipers cant be lifted off the windshield when it snows, because of the hood design. Takes longer to clean the window.

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  My Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Meposian51 - October 26 - 9:13 pm

  I really enjoy driving my Chevy Trailblazer. It has pep with 290 horsepower and handles well. Easy to park, and I get decent gas mileage for an SUV. Plenty of room for groceries or luggage, etc in the back which is great for trips. This is my first SUV and I would definitely recommend the Chevy Trailblazer!

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  Always had Blazers - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By mommyof1 - October 26 - 3:00 pm

  I absolutely loved this truck when I bought it, then the warranty expired and I have spent more money fixing the things that repeatedly brake than I actually did on the truck. The pins in the doors, the recline levers for the front seats, the front bearings 2x a year at least for the past 4 years (and was told by a dealership that the bearings are a defect in the cars design that they cant fix) and pretty much every part with the exception of the whole engine and tranny have been replaced! It is built horribly and will not ever buy a GM car again!

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  Personal Experience - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By dmt1541 - October 26 - 11:21 am

  We searched far and wide for the perfect family van and after owning this Venture for 2 years we are confident we found it. We love the ways the seats fold and move individually, they give you so many options. The gas mileage is great. We got 25mpg driving to FL with a family and luggage to boot. The integrated child seat is awesome, I just wish we had two instead of one. Im a Ford guy myself, but this Chevy Venture is awesome. My wife and I wanted 8 passenger seating and we could only find it in the Chevy Venture (in 2005). Yah we have 3 kids but what if the grandparents or friends want to ride, 8 passenger is a must. Weve had no operational problems and were closing on 40,000.

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  Hidden Gem - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Jerry D. - October 26 - 1:42 am

  I bought this "07 Uplander with 12000 mi. on it.As others have said it does resemble an SUV.This is my first van purchase and I am surprised at the ease of handling,smooth ride,excellent braking and adequate power. The exterior look is better than the normal van and the 17" wheels put it in another class.Im so glad I discovered this van as I had never heard of it before a month ago.Love it!

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  The Equinox smoked CRV and RAV - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By electrical engineer - October 25 - 9:33 pm

  Im an engineer who thoroughly checks out my options and ensures optimum bang for my buck. We wanted the Element for the look and we tried the Element, CRV and RAV4. My wife wasnt really thrilled with either of those three so we drove over to the Chevy dealership. We tried out the Equinox and trust me, it smoked the CRV, Element and RAV in terms of power, comfort, interior look and feel, and price. Exterior is in the eye of the beholder but we really like the look. Stereo is superior, feels like luxury inside with nice control layout. The drive on the highway is nice and quiet and when you step on it (pedal), the engine is relatively quiet compared to the others we tried.

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  Love It, But Has Not Been Kind - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Krista - October 25 - 7:00 pm

  I love the power of the car and how comfortable it is to drive, but it has not been kind. The computer module went on the car just after the warranty expired. It fried the part of the car that charges the battery, my seat warmers, my visor light, and my trunk light. My 6 cd changer also broke at the same time. The dealership said the cd player had nothing to do with the module, and that it was just coincidence because the stereo still works. That cost me $800 just to stop my car from frying its electronice parts, not even to fix what was already fried. Now I just had to pay $500 for new brakes and the control arm ball joint. In my machanics words, "This car has not been kind."

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  Zoom, Zoom and more Zoom - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Nice - October 25 - 3:52 pm

  If you looking for comfort and performance this is the SUV that you should consider. This has so much power, its hard to imagine a SUV can give this type of performance. If you looking for a family vehicle that is fuel efficient, this is not your type. If you want something fast with the capabilities of a SUV and comfort, look no further.

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  Go Chevy! Its your birthday! - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Soulfinger - October 25 - 1:50 pm

  This is my 3rd vehicle ever and my first chevy and suv. I am so pleased with this vehicle i have considered moving into it. Its the perfect size for someone like me afraid of bigger SUVs (for now anyway). Its very hip and stylish inside and out. I got a great deal on it. Like I said i have never driven a Chevy but i am confident in thier quality and dependability. I am a happy Blazer owner and would serioulsy recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a fun and reliable suv.