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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  Overall, nice ride - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By j_coakley - September 19 - 12:45 pm

  Ive had this vehicle for a few weeks now and I really love it. The ride is smooth and quiet. I dont have the leather seats and really dont care. I have the Bose sound system which is great. The engine is great as well. I would recommend the Trailblazer to anyone. Its in between sporty and big at the same time.

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  dispointed - 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By racerx62040 - September 19 - 12:13 pm

  i bought a 2012 chevy Z-71 ex cab pick up 2 years ago now. this is the first vehicle i have even been able to buy new. when i drove it off the lot it had 3 miles on it and i was very happy. one of the big selling points was the sticker said it got 21 MPG hwy. the sales man said it got 21MPG. i feel they lied to me. this truck has a 5.3 engine. the truck i had before was a 1995 GMC ext. cab 2x4 long bed with a 350 throattle body injection engine. when that 350 hit 180,000 miles the engine had problems. so i totaly rebuilt that engine and everything was new. that truck even after the rebuild got 15 MPG. so i bought this new one thinking it would be better. but it only get 16 MPG at the best

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  Must Have a MONTE! - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By LOVE MONTE SS - September 18 - 7:06 pm

  Every Monte Carlo SS I own I get looks! I bought it used with about 62K and am now at about 114K. I have a lead foot! I havent yet had any problems with my brake system. I did have my 4th gear (overdrive) go out on me. Ive had to replace the Cat. Converter twice. Am being told by a family member that Chevy didnt build the exhaust system big enough for the bigger engines (and the way I drive). But if I blow one a year they are still covered under warranty! My fog lights dont work, never had a problem with seats, window motor was replaced, normal maintenance stuff done, oh leather pulled away from side air bag.

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  Two Months and Counting - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By halogen - September 18 - 5:20 pm

  The car feels much more expensive than its price would indicate. It has decent acceleration with the automatic transmission, great brakes, and a fine level of fit and finish. The steering is nimble and precise, with good smooth ride quality. During sharp turns, youll notice how skinny and unsupportive the front seats are. The brake and gas pedals are very close together, and if you have big feet or drive wearing boots its easy to hit both pedals at once. This is my first new car. Previously owned newer Toyota Tercels. This car spanks the Tercel like a homeless dog.

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  Best Weve Ever Had - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By American Beauty - September 18 - 12:48 pm

  4DR K2500 4WD is what sold me plus the 454 power. Not afaid to pull anything {within its ranges}. Purchaced mi. of 169K didnt bother my choice. I figured it was just broke in good. Its 300K+ mi.capable in my opinion. GM has a good line here, wished Id started driving them sooner. We get comments still about how good it looks.

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  So far so good - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By wise1 - September 18 - 7:36 am

  Got this about 4 weeks ago and have put 1200 miles on it. Pleased with it so far. Very good power although a little bit of a bump when you hit the accelerator and the transmission first engages. Leaps when you ask it to. Chevy interior is basic but at the price still good value. Excellent radio system in the LT model.

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  Wish for Better Mileage - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By 2dogs2 - September 18 - 7:35 am

  I wanted a truck that can be used for hauling stuff for the farm, but I did not want a large truck, and the Colorado has great power with the 5cyl. The gas mileage around town is about 20, havent taken any long rides to see what hwy is. Have not had any problems in winter driving, but I have to say that I really dont care for the clunk you get shifting into 4wd at times.

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  My Z24 - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By pat s - September 18 - 3:58 am

  I bought my Z24 and I must say, it is so much faster and more fun than it looks. My brother drives a 2002 Impala and my Z24 is much faster and more enjoyable to drive. I am also impressed with how easily this car can be modified into a real racer. I wouldnt give it up for the world.

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  Henry L. West - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Henry L. West - September 17 - 6:13 pm

  I loved this car when I first saw it at one time I got 36miles to the gallon. I just came back from a 700 mile trip and at 70 miles an hour I got 30miles to the gallon. So I cant kick. It handle as nice as any car that I ever owned and I had a few .

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  Excellent car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By G Warner - September 17 - 4:33 pm

  This has been a fun car to own. I have had very few problems with it over the years. The body styling is great, as is the interior design. I think I will cry when I have to get rid of it.