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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  Sweet - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dmack - March 10 - 2:47 pm

  I traded in a 1998 Blazer. I would like to have bought a new one, but they no longer make them. That car was 9 years old with nothing but the usual maintenance. This 2007 TrailBlazer is a little higher (off the ground) than I would like, but still my best choice for a purchase. The vehicle rides much better then the 98, Ive only had it for a week, so Ill have to see what the fuel economy is. All in all, I like it!

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  Chevy Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By sandi777 - March 10 - 10:00 am

  very wobbly ride. needs better suspension. Everything needs to be changed and the dealerships themselves have never bent over backward to help. Dealerships not fun to work with.

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  WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER!!! - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Thalia - March 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck new, 2 miles on it when I test-drove it. BEFORE I bought it, a fluid line exploded all over the engine. That should have been my FIRST indication to drive off and leave it! My husband & dad said it had a "warranty" to go ahead and get it. WRONG! That was ONLY the beginning! The local dealership could not get the problems that I had fixed on this truck like: replaced drive shaft for truck tugging when driven, replaced power- steering pump, noise when backing up, jerks when pulling a horse trailer, severe gaps when applying brakes, headlight dim extremely low for no reason, and the list still goes on!

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  Movin on up - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Urban Burban - March 10 - 10:00 am

  We buy our cars to last, not turn in every two years. I traded in my Sable and kept my wifes 94 Jeep Gran Cherokee. The Surburban is much more refined, tight,and equiped over the Jeep, not to mention over all quality and feeling of quality. The truck has run like a champ if this holds to be true we will keep it for at least 10 years. I would like better gas mileage but it is hard to complain about 18 mpg with this size vehicle.

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  Like a rock, no more like a boulder - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Stephen C - March 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my truck for 2 months now, and it is great. My only regret is that I didnt look harder for one with a manual transmission. Not that the auto is bad, but I only get about 13 mpg and a top speed of about 96 mph. I looked at every Chevy and GMC dealer in the north half of Dallas, though, so its not likely that I would have found one. My only complaint is the 26 gallon fuel tank - They have the same tank for the 4.3L V6 as the 6.0L V8.

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  A Great SUV - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By SUV Diehard - March 10 - 10:00 am

  I did a lot of research before buying this SUV. I narrowed my choices to the Chev TB, Accura MDX and Ford Explorer. The TB beat out the others on ride and handling. The turning radius is better than my husbands sedan. Plenty of room in the back for gardening supplies, golf clubs, luggage and home improvement supplies. Plenty of towing power to. After almost 3 years of driving this vehicle, I still think I made the right decision.

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  Not happy with it - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MENSA - March 10 - 10:00 am

  Purchased my 2002 LTZ new and had too many problems, hood hinges that squeaked, strap fell off the rear gate, 4 safety recalls, cracked cylinder bore liner (factory recall) it has been in the shop for two weeks now. I only have 7000 miles, too many problems.

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  Great Family SUV - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By DINO - March 10 - 10:00 am

  I love my new Trailblazer EXT LT ! The ride is remarkably comfortable, with great power (for a six cylinder). Very practical for a family (with a second baby on the way)...very roomy. Has a lot of cool gadgets to play with too. All this, and so sporty looking! Highly reccommend this SUV to anyone looking for a great value, great looks and lots of room!

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  Hit or Miss - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By pitbullmutt - March 10 - 10:00 am

  I have bought a few chevy trucks before and this one is much like the rest. I drive my boss ford truck quite a bit and the chevy is much better in terms of comfort and ride.

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  2002 Suburban - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By DRH - March 10 - 8:34 am

  3/4 ton is the perfect camping vehicle. Room for the crew and performance to keep them safe. After 80k miles it is still like new. Mileage is not the best, but when you have to tow you have no choice.