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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  Trailblazer ext - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By RAJ OHRI - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This is a great suv with lot of power and room. You are going to love this vehicle

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  Very nice vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dadzilla - December 16 - 10:00 am

  Our TrailBlazer is great to drive, and has plenty of power. The ride is better than any other SUV we test drove. It is very comfortable, and has lots of room inside for my family and anything else we have put in the back besides. If I were to have one complaint about the vehicle, it would be the poor design of the weather seals around the doors. The seals are to easy to catch yourself or something you are hold on, subsequently pulling them loose. Overall, it is a great vehicle. I would buy another one in a heartbeat (no pun intended).

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  Cavalier RS - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ecavalier17 - December 16 - 2:00 am

  Great car...Kicks the crap out of my friends Impreza 2.5 automatic. haha

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  Love My Impala! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By kysloc - December 15 - 6:43 pm

  After having (and still owning!) 3 1970 musclecars, I endured 14 years of driving minivans due to having kids. When it came time for another daily driver vehicle, I looked VERY HARD for a safe, large family car that had the zip and FUN akin to my old musclecars. I found the Impala. Ok, it does not turn as many heads as my 1970 lime green big block Cuda, but it is alot of fun to drive and always gets great comments from people who ride in it -- especially my Volvo S80 and Saab and Passat owning friends who cant believe how little my Impala cost. I will buy another Impala next year when my oldest kids take this one over.

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  VERY FUN! - 1990 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Friggedy - December 15 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the funest car Ive had so far. Its got the big 350 5.7 Liter and its pushing about 250hp. You cant ask for more. The gas mileage isnt that great, only about 250 on the highway and about 200 city but thats minor compared to the rest of the car. Its totally loaded, I would buy another one in a heartbeat!

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  Great Little Car - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By cc732 - December 15 - 2:00 am

  I was surprised at the quality in this price range. The reliability has been excellant as this car now has 50,000 miles.Ive driven it the last 35,000 with only a minor brake job and tune- up. The 2dr coupe has pleasing looks and could re-sell very well. Its easy to drive and park, vision is not obstructed by side pillars or a high rear deck. A very good winter driver,with standard ABS, too. Im satisfied with this purchase as 2 other Cavaliers(1986 & 1990) didnt do so well. Hope the 2003s are built this standard.

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  Chevy Cavalier - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Blondie - December 14 - 2:00 am

  This car is great for a college student it is good on gas and great in the snow

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  GREAT DEAL! THANKS EDMUNDS! - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Z71man - December 14 - 2:00 am

  This SUV is really a great car, it rides nice, and we got a great deal because of edmunds, the sticker on it was $31,995 and we got it for a final price of $25,995! Can anyone believe this? Well dont go to your local dealer with this price since this was just 1 left of ten car that were to be sold to the Miami Beach Police Department and were over ordered, sure they may not have all the extras but those things can be added. The car does however have 4X4, the 5.3 V8, Z71 Suspension and the 3.73 gears WOW. Again thanks Edmunds.com

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  Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By stephjada - December 13 - 7:30 pm

  Just purchased it about a month ago, and I love it! Great pick up! Smooth driving, no bouncing around like a truck. Though I have to agree the stereo is confusing.

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  malibu is back - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By arcaneds - December 13 - 10:00 am

  bought this car for my pregnant wife because of safety features, hatchback and room, but i love to drive it!