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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  2 redeeming qualities - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Rambler - August 9 - 2:46 pm

  The only reason we purchased this car was to tow behind our Class A motorhome. The Malibu is one of only a few cars with automatic transmission that can be towed without expensive modifications. The build quality being a GM product is questionable at best of course. Not much acceleration. A mundane "bread and butter" auto.

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  Time will tell - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By dave - August 9 - 10:52 am

  First GM product I have puchased in 30 years. Ive driven a 97 Land Cruiser since it was new and its still going strong with 160,000 miles. I will say the Tahoe has a tough act to follow, but so far so good.

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  Fun Ride - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jarred - August 8 - 1:25 pm

  Ive had the SS for a few weeks now and I love it. It has the feeling of a car except youre sitting up higher. The fuel economy is pretty poor but what do you expect for an SUV with a Corvette based engine. The engine has a nice rumble to it. Ive always had vehicles with leather but opted for the cloth on this one and I couldnt be happier. The seats are actually more comfortable than the leather. Overall Im very happy with the Trailblazer and would highly recommend it to anyone.

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  Perfect fit - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By bobby g - August 8 - 11:23 am

  Very pleased and surpised about the handling and comfortable fit of the seats and placements of all of the controls. Felt like I had this car for years, even though my previous car was a large rear wheel drive, the Malibu took no time getting used to it.

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  Short Circuit - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Icarus - August 8 - 10:00 am

  I loved the way the car drove, but all other experiences with my Monte Carlo were terrible. Im 6 2" and the car did not fit me; my fault, I test drove the vehicle. Yet, I have had electrical problems of every sort. After six months, my airbag indicator light would come on as I was driving down the road. No problems for another six months and then turn signals began to short out. I thought it was a fuse but they went on and off. I am now experiencing the same problem with the drivers side window. The Chevy dealers I went to were rude and unwilling to help. I think my experiences with Chevy are over.

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  Not soooo good - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By BMiller - August 8 - 10:00 am

  Many problems such as insulation in doors not installed properly, wheel barings bad, fuel injection problems, drivers window not working, and countless other things. Very dissappointed in the Blazer. Plus a recall on the rear turn signal.

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  This truck is great! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Jerryishere - August 8 - 10:00 am

  This truck has the ride of a luxury vehicle as compared to other trucks that I have owned in the past. It handles very well as compared to other trucks I test drove before purchasing this one. Others seemed to be top heavy and leaned when making turns. The Avalanche has a very stable and quiet ride.

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  GREAT SUV - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By DTL - August 8 - 10:00 am

  I DID NOT THINK I WOULD LIKE A SUV, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A CAR. THIS DRIVES LIKE A CAR BUT I CAN SEE NOW ABOVE THE CARS. THE POWER IS GREAT AND THE SHORT TURNING IS BETTER THEN I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED. IT ACTURALLY TURNS BETTER THEN THE SMALL CAR I HAD. NO COMPLAINTS IN 12000 MILES. LOVE THIS THING!!

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  Very Good Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Connell - August 8 - 10:00 am

  These are great trucks. I have owned Chevy trucks in the past and have always sworn by them. For the last year and a half I have been driving a Ford 150XLT, and I would have to say that the Fords are junk. I still have the Ford because it is a company vehicle, but I needed another Chevy truck just for the pleasure of driving one.

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  Nice Vehicle - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Lorenzo - August 8 - 9:32 am

  Very nice ,comfortable, and good handling SUV. Has all the options. Great sound and power when you need it.