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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  Lovin The Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Indyjd - August 15 - 4:53 pm

  We bought the Trailblazer because we needed room for 6. The ride is better than the Intrigue we traded in!! My wife and kids love the interior, the comfort and room inside. I love the handling and the standard features but most of all the price!!

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  No frills, but a great van - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By GS - August 15 - 12:51 pm

  Bought this van with 30000 miles on it. Had a few minor issues that first year or so -- power lock failure, etc. No problems since then. With 4 kids, a dog, and a camper, we make full use of the incredible amount of space inside this van. Its one of the few vehicles that can comfortably seat our family, plus two others AND tow. Holds way more stuff than a regular minivan. Weve used it to tow our camper (22-ft, 4000 lbs) half way across the country with absolutely no issues - at 100k miles. People are always surprised to see us tow with it. Added a transmission cooler and complete tow pkg. Theres nothing fancy about this van, but its great for a larger, active family.

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  Awsome cars - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By 03Cavalier - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Ill by a cavalier untill the day that i die.

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  Chevy show off - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By bluefin995 - August 15 - 2:00 am

  When I first saw the car I was not to impress but once I got a chance to drive it I knew I would buy it. It is fun to drive, comfortable to get in and out and has good style on the inside. The instrument cluster is set up to be easy to view and to get to.

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  2002 CHEV 2500HD 4wd - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By golden arches - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Have had continued problems with the drive train, from transmission noise to multiple problems with the front and rear differentials noise and leaking. Vehicle seems reliable in most cases, but leaves that nagging feeling that once the warranty is off Im going to be looking at repairs on a low milage vehicle (only averages 500 per month). Much fun to drive, but the overall fuel mileage is a w f u l, but that goes with the territory of the 6L engine and the rear end selection.

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  cabin noise - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By clddy - August 15 - 2:00 am

  overall good vehicle. Major Problem is interior cabin noise. Returned to dealer to have them checkout advised normal truck noise(laughed and walked out) Sounds like window is cracked open slightly, spoke to other people about it who also own one they advised that t hey didnt notice. The next day they came in and know they hate me because they hear it everyday. That is the reason I rated it low in both "build quality" and "interior design" didnt know exactly where it fit.

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  Impala SS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jennifer Stall - August 15 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1996 SS, ran great, but started falling apart slowly. Bought an 04 showroom model, and I personally think it runs great, looks sportier than recent models, has some great options.

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  AM I THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS? - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By pcashotgun - August 15 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE DEPT SINCE TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, THE BRAKE AND BLINKER LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING BAD AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS BEEN ON OVER 5 TIMES, THEY HAVE PUT A NEW GAS TANK IN IT AND I HAVE HAD FRONT AND REAR AC PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE,I LIKE THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THIS VEHICLE WHEN AND IF I AM ABLE TO DRIVE IT.

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  Reliable Truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Allen - August 14 - 4:00 pm

  I bought the truck new in 2000. I have had only 1 major problem, differential failed at 47K. Mechanics have informed me the diff is not really engineered well for a truck, more for a car. Fuel economy could have been a lot better. Overall, a good reliable truck. Can easily haul over 2500lbs of rock in bed or tow a 9600lbs trailer (and accelerate uphill). I would buy this again. I wish they would have made my model and year with manual trans.

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  Like a rock - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Sam - August 14 - 2:43 pm

  Im very pleased with my Tahoe after 74k miles. No transmission issues but have had the ABS module go out twice. First time was under warranty and the second time I had it repaired for about $200 instead of the $1,200 the dealer wanted. Also came with a 5 yr warr instead of 12 month. The rest of the braking system is great, still on original pads and rotors. Plenty of power to tow trailer and people. And even thought gas mileage isnt great, its better than what some Ford and Dodge owners I know are getting.