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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  Smooth Truck - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Great Truck - June 8 - 7:19 am

  I bought this TrailBlazer used and spoke to the original owner before purchasing. He traded my TrailBlazer for a new 06 TrailBlazer. He stated he would not own anything else. Well, now I know what he means. I cannot get over the comfort and the extra room I have verses my Explorer. The ride is so smooth especially for a 4x4. My Ford Explorer is also a 4x4 and is ridged and rough in its ride. I also love the extra leg room. My husband and son are really tall guys and they are cramped in the Explorer, they are loving the TrailBlazer! This is the best truck I have ever owned.

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  Just Meh - 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Nancy - June 8 - 5:41 am

  After owning a traverse, I find the equinox to be a disappointment. It struggles badly in eco mode. Its barely comfortable and mileage should be much better for a 4 cylinder vehicle. If you buy one of these, make sure you buy an extended warrantee .

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  The best car Ive ever had - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By dgingeri - June 8 - 4:46 am

  This car is the best car Ive had, and even better than most Ive ridden in. Awesome styling. This car looks both strong and sleek, truly the return of the muscle car. Better milage and more power than my last car, and I get to keep the air conditioning on. Leave it off if you want the better gas mileage, but it does degrade the power and mileage

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  We like our Chevy Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Iacono - June 8 - 1:11 am

  We have excelent service. Bought the seven year warranty and it has paid for itself. A good car for elderly folks [70 something].

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  Love this ride. - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Coleary - June 7 - 10:34 pm

  Owned two Expeditions and a minivan before Suburban. Gets better gas than them, 21/16. Rides smoothly, tight turns, handles beautifully, has plenty of power, loaded w/bells and whistles my Expeditions never offered.

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  A Neat Little Car - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By GOOSE4909 - June 7 - 5:26 pm

  Zips around neatly in traffic and has plenty of zip on the interstate. Decent gas mileage [I get about 36 overall]. Easy to enter and exit the vehicle. Seats could use a little more padding but you do sit up nice and straight.

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  Good for me. - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By John - June 7 - 4:49 pm

  As a student, I cant afford to waste money on repairs. So far with my Blazer, Ive only had to replace the wiper module($60). Everything else is running perfect at 53,000 miles. I do some city driving, but mostly highway and can get over 20 mpg if I drive it easy. Sometimes I haul friends around and Ive never had complaints with the interior space or cargo area. 4X4 is nice to have in the winter time.

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  What a car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By puck - June 7 - 4:15 pm

  Bought it used from and old couple with only 20,000 miles. Thought what a great deal. Had to got to the dealership 3 times for recalls that take 3-5 hrs at a time. Got everything standard nothing special. Stereo quits, cds get stuck. The seals on the doors and windows like to come off. I found out the car I paid $15,000 for a year later was only worth $2,600, now even less. Can we fix the funny sounds when you can barely hear the radio over the wind while on the freeway. I love my car but by now all the bugs shouldve been worked out.

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  2000 Zr2 2000 Problems - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By 2000zr2 2000problems - June 7 - 12:38 pm

  So much for built like a rock. This truck has been nothing but problems. The front end suspension can not handle the 31 inch tires. Spending 200- 300 bucks just to pass a sticker every year is stupid. Weak Transmision. Starting to slip at 80,000. Interior rattles like it is going to fall apart. Bad third door hinge design. I have had it fixed 3 times at a dealer and it still rattles a month later. I love the push 4x4 controls. Body Control Mod. went, 700 bucks fixed that problem. Great exterior looks. Paint chips easy. Gas gauge stoped at 65,000.

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  Silverado is tops - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Doyle - June 7 - 11:50 am

  Only two warranty problems, one minor, the other a switch for gear position.Unloaded I get up to 28 mpg, with 3,500lb camper I get 16-19 mpg (Canadian gallon). Brakes lasted over 100,000 miles. Would prefer Dodge rear door opening, proper rear door windows, and better cargo tie-downs. Best vehicle I ever owned..