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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  Last Chevrolet - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By DonMac - April 7 - 2:00 am

  within the first year, weather molding on all four doors fell off. Dealer wound up gluing on to make it stay. They said it was a poor design. Climate control went out and had to be replaced. Driver front window regulator had to be repaired twice. Fuel guage quit and sending unit had to be replaced. Emergency brake cable broke and had to be replaced. You have to move front seats forward in order to lower rear seats. Problem when you have long legs.

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  Content with TrailBlazer LTZ - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By content - April 7 - 2:00 am

  My First SUV in ages... Very satisfied with this barely used [9900 miles] Loaded TrailBlazer LTZ. Ive had it one month and put 1000 miles on it so far. First roadtrip was 300 miles in a winter storm that brought 10+inches of snow so I was able to try out the AWD and 4WD options and had no troubles with either rather was surprised at how well it travelled with both. -2nd cup holder is hard to use if you have your cell phone and/or radar plugged in as the cords block its use.

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  cops love this car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Pluto5 - April 7 - 2:00 am

  If you like cops staring at you, get this car in Superior Blue, a new color for 03. Cops love it--makes them wish they could trade the bombshell CV.

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  A GOOD CAR - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By AL LAWRENCE - April 7 - 2:00 am

  Have had this car for 5 months. I have owned many cars, but this one seems to be the best so far. It handles great, fuel milege is great. The dealer has treated me great, unusuall for my experience with new cars. I shopped around before buying and chose the empala for open road performance. Fun to drive, the only problem I do have is backing up the car, the design of the body causes low rear visibility. It takes getting use to.

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  I love my Blazer! - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By MaudieMae - April 6 - 11:42 pm

  Ive loved driving this Blazer. I love the ride of this Blazer. Going on six years and had to put an alternator and battery in it. Just got new tires because at 100,000 miles I figured I "should", but the original ones still looked good! Didnt need brakes at 100,000 miles! Some trim on the doors so they wouldnt get banged would have been great and more floor room on the passenger side too. I only wish I would have bought a 4 door for the extra room for hauling and boy do we haul stuff! Have taken it out west twice, mega trips north & south and always performed excellent.

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  Test drive and see for yourself - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Giza_wuta - April 6 - 7:20 pm

  In my opinion, this car is simply awesome. Yes, the exterior can use a little more modification, but it is still a head-turner. Everyone that Ive spoke with about it loved it. As far as pure HP, I dont think your gonna beat it with any other sedan on the market. No I havent purchased a lot of sedan, but this is an animal on the highway. Going 80 mph seems like 50. The ride is smooth. The interior is nice also. Of course, everyone will have something bad to say about everything in life. Great vehicle.

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  Katys Truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Katy Rushing - April 6 - 4:56 pm

  We have only had our truck a few months but it is awesome. I really enjoy it and it is great to have with kids. The 4 doors are really nice. I love to drive it. The customer service with our dealership couldnt be better.

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  Good In The Snow - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By J.Meckley - April 6 - 2:13 pm

  The Blazer is a great small SUV if you need a 4x4, however it leaves a lot to be desired in the suspension department. Power is sufficient but not excessive. The ride is harsh at best and any road inperfections are amplified throught the vast amount of interior plastic trim. It had been a reliable car besides some electrical gremlins that are there one day and not the next. A great looking, offroad capable SUV that could have used some major refining in the suspension, and interior materials department.

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  Great little car - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Tara - April 6 - 1:17 pm

  I got my car in September of 2005 and I now have almost 19,000 miles on it. I really love to drive this car and its great for both in-town and long distance driving. Great gas mileage. The only problem I have had is defroster noise...and only when its really cold. Theres a lot of room in the car despite its small size.

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  Dress It Up! - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By 1st Tahoe - April 6 - 11:01 am

  I have owned several cars/SUVs in the past. I replaced a BMW 325xi with my Z71. I bought the Tahoe for 31k with 12K miles. Previous owner put 20" rims, dual side exhaust, all window tinted, nav, 6 disc, remote start, xeon lights and high flow air. Stands Out. I tow a 27 powerboat with the truck. Cant even tell it is being pulled. Ride great, handles better than expected. 13.2 mpg average. Driven as primary car in sales job, I use the nav system everyday. Powerseats and adjustments a must! XM radio great for N. MN and NW WI. Have owned 2 Honda Passports, Jeep Wrangler, Pontiac Bonneville, Dodge Durengo, BMW 325 xi, BMW i. Must say the Tahoe is the overall the most fun to drive.