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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  Avoid at all costs - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By kemorc - December 8 - 10:50 pm

  Ive been in the dealership for constant warranty work on this thing. Ive got the 2.2 and the terrible Getrag manual transmission. Lets start with the tires. Continentals are junk, if there is moisture on the road, traction has become a thing of the past. Brakes have ceramic pads but terrible rotors. Youll find that they warp rather quick! Engine leaks like a sieve, and Im only at 12k miles. Needs new head, valve cover gasket and if the main seals leak, those too. Transmission requires you to sit 10-15 seconds at a stop to shift into reverse. Tranny is incredibly weak, its built to withstand the engine. Anything added for performance is questionable to the tranny. Please note that this is a SAAB designed engine, and an OPEL designed car, its not truly a GM vehicle, and its starting to show, a GM vehicle wouldnt be this terrible.

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  Completely Satisfied - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By teflonjpr - December 8 - 2:30 pm

  Went looking at Silverado Classic, but after test drives it was too good to pass up. Much better in every way compared to the Colorado Crew Cab we traded in. Ride was smooth, and quieter at highway speeds. Turning performance and radius is better, with less body lean. Fuel economy is good, averaging 15 city and 20 highway just like the estimates. The interior is well layed out with easy to read guages. The steering wheel audio and cruise controls are excellent features. Visibility is good front and sides, but rear visibility is poor due to the tailgate height, the rear camera would be a nice feature to have. Overall a great move up from the Colorado, wife and I both love this truck!

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  I Love this car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jacob Platt - December 8 - 10:00 am

  My family has driven Honda civics, Toyota corollas, and Chevy cavaliers. Honda and Toyota are HIGHLY OVER RATED. Hondas burn oil, have fuel and electrical systems problems. Toyotas burn oil, have manifold problems leaking carbon monoxide into the passenger compartment. Chevys have proven solid through 5 knuckle-head teenage drivers, and within reach of 200,000 miles. So I bought a new 2003 cavalier and expect over 200,000 miles out of it.

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  excellence - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By don corleone - December 8 - 10:00 am

  try to keep ladies away too much fun, time flies. interior material still look new. all bottons still function like new. z71 package a must. on star is amazing.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sfoster - December 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this SUV (my first) to replace my familys 1991 GMC Safari GT minivan that was unfortunately totaled in an accident. I must say that I am pleased with the performance and room of the TrailBlazer. The ride is wonderful, at times it doesnt even feel like a truck. The look is very agressive (Envoy was too plain for me) and overall fit and finish is good so far. Ive only had it for 2 months, but Im very happy with my decision.

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  excellent - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ghgfhgf - December 8 - 10:00 am

  good driving ok gas milege

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  Problems - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mekastle - December 7 - 4:09 pm

  We are having to replace the brakes every 20,000 miles. Dealer says that is normal. GM says they stand behind dealer. Would be unsafe to stand in front because brakes dont work. At same visit, tech says brakes shot, service manager says brakes ok. Three months later, brakes and rotor have to be replaced. GM says believe dealer? Two different stories, how can they believe both? I will never buy another GM product no matter how much I like the design. Nice to look at, practical design does not get me where I am going. If GM blindly accepts whatever the dealer says, I do not trust them and will no longer deal with them. No tears from me in they go bankrupt, maybe they deserve it.

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  Impala passes test of time - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By joeski2 - December 7 - 1:06 pm

  I waited to write this after owning the Impala for 1 year. I have not been at the dealer since, as I have had not one single problem. It has great power and is fun to drive. Lacking rear room, and front seats are not as comfortable as other cars. All in all a good car.

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  This is the real thing - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By greg - December 7 - 9:25 am

  I like the 2007 Suburban. Its the best SUV for pulling a big trailer, camper, or anything you might want to pull. The ride is nice and very smooth. You need to drive one to see what I mean.

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  Nice handling, good cargo, but.... - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By S - December 7 - 5:19 am

  Fuel economy not as good at 17 - 21, as I had hoped, but better than a Hemi or Silverado, or larger SUV. With gas at $2,50 a gallon, $45 fills her up. Larger gas tank. The designers made some bad choices in the interior, as ashtray is optional in a choice with cup holder, which is attached to the middle fold down arm glove compartment which all in all is just not a great design. Every car should have standard ashtray. Cup holders on an extended arm just asks for drinks to wiggle, shake and spill. The center tray bottom gets dirty quickly and is hard to clean. And the seats and the covering comfy but better scotch, I have the gray metallic, gets dirty easy. Larger visors, better sound.