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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  2006 Chevy Cobalt LT - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bowtieboy50 - April 10 - 5:53 pm

  I love everything about this car. I bought this car and put 20% tints on it and it looks real good.

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  Loving my Impala - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jazzy - April 10 - 8:06 am

  This is one comfy car - it corners well, handles well, is responsive, has both pep and good gas economy. TONS of room with a giant trunk. There is a bit of excess noise with the moon-roof opened, and no factory-made windscreen for it. Heater fan gets loud, and it is time to get a set-by-temperature feature instead of the slide bar to control heat.

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  Trailblazer Review. - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Pipeman - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Its a fine piece to drive, however the overall finish of the exterior such as bumper and door alignment leaves much to be desired. Engineers should be forced to attend Japanese automotive schools.

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  Great SUV!! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Winston77 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV, the 270hp, inline 6 engine is very smooth and powerful. The turning radius is unbelivable. Plenty of room for passengers and other "stuff" you may want to haul. Ive had it for 6 months now and still love it.

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  One of the best safety ratings. - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Sithe - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because it was inexpensive (compared to other cars in its class) and last years model has one of the highest safety ratings (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/SList2.cf m). I purchased this car for the same amount as a 2002. The outside noise is a little loud, but not excessively so. Cup holders in front seat cant be closed or hidden. Not sure how long cup holders will last.

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  Kick Ass Ride! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Docloco - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds.com was essential to the purchase of this awesome truck. It has everything that I need (with a few extras of course) I am thoroughly pleased with the vehicle. My wife drove it for the first time after almost a month of ownership and now she wants one of her own!

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  Best car i have owned..it just keeps going and ... - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By todd - April 9 - 1:20 pm

  I bought this car new off the dealer lot. I currently have over 235K miles and still getting 24MPG city driving. It uses about 1/2 qtr every 4k-5k miles. The clutch needed replacing at around 75K due to a failure on the springs, but the replacement GM clutch is still going in the car but is showing signs of needing to be replaced again after 160k miles. The original alternator gave out at 220K miles and i was still running the original serpentine belt. Other than these repairs and the usual repairs (brakes, rotors, struts, springs,filters, plugs, ect) the car is still on its original factory parts including ball joints, tie rods, CV joints, ect. But after 14 years the car is showing its age from michigan winters and such, but is still running strong. Goes to show you if you take car of the car and do the repairs/maintanence...it will run for a long long time.

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  Fun Vehicel to Drive - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Paul S. - April 8 - 11:06 pm

  I just love this vehicle. It has so many neat features. This is the first vehicle Ive owned with a sunroof which I enjoy very much. With a 5 star crash rating and dual stage air bags, I feel much safer than my previous SUV, a 2000 Blazer. I got 26MPG on my first highway trip which was 6 MPG more that old SUV.

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  Malibu Maxx LT - LOVE TO DRIVE! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By StacyShipley - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I recently turned in my Jeep Liberty after test driving the Malibu Maxx. I fell in love with it as soon as I got behind the wheel. I must admit though, I was nervous about getting a car after years of riding high in an SUV. BUT, in the Maxx I dont feel like Im riding too low. I have a long commute to work and the XM radio saves me from the boring talk radio! The heated seats in Michigan are a must!

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  Dale Jr SS - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bigolepig - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 2002 Monte Carlo SS, for a 2004 Dale Jr Supercharged SS...A few minor changes, the steering is tighter, few cosmetic changes in gages and controls, not to mention it is just throw your head back fast!! I loved my first Monte Carlo, and only willing to trade it in on a newer one...all the luxuries of a Cadillac...but still youthful enough and sporty enough to turn all the heads in town...even the Jeff Gordon fans...ha!!