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:

• 

  Transmission Problems?? - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By hettel - February 22 - 10:00 am

  We love our Trailblazer, but was wondering if anyone else has had transmission problems? Weve already had to have sensor replaced to shift from first to second and now it seems to be having a problem again. Everything else is superb!

• 

  Great - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Kenneth Maddox - February 22 - 10:00 am

  The trailblazer to me is the best suv out there,Hands down.

• 

  Love my Trail Blazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Kiliwehi - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely Love my Trail Blazer, the styling is really awesome and the performance is great! Lots of power!

• 

  Impala--feels like a luxury car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By clinical sw - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I do a lot of driving in my work and this car has the most comfortable ride and roomy interior. My back is well supported and I love the leather upholstery I chose to include in the Impala I bought. The ride is smooth and the steering tight and responsive. I love my Impala.

• 

  Smooth car - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By John Leger - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Its a fantastic vehicle!...I wouldnt change a thing about it; good looking really comfortable, great performance and handling, good gas mileage, and fun to drive!

• 

  I love my 04 Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Chev - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I love my Trailblazer... i have had it for 1 week and have more then 1500 miles on it already. Very happy

• 

  Good Job GM! This is more like it! - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Frank C. - February 18 - 10:20 pm

  Just plain and simple, I wanted to buy an American car again, and in my opinion, this is one of the best American or Import cars I have seen. Outstanding build quality, in and out. A lot of car for the money, great incentives right now. Anyone considering a mid-size car, or any size for that matter, really needs to take a look at the Malibu. Lets give the guys from Detroit another chance America! Theyre finally trying to get it right. Hope it transcends to the rest of Chevys line up in the future.

• 

  Best One - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By gman - February 17 - 12:53 pm

  Power of a sports car power to tow 9500lbs up Smokey mountain. Smooth as a car. Great gas mileage with v8,roomy just the best.

• 

  My 3rd Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By crewzn - February 17 - 9:30 am

  This is my 3rd Chevy Impala. I am normally a truck type of girl, but in 2000 my husband took me to see a red Impala LS at 9pm on my birthday! I fell in love with it, bought it next day. I then up graded to a fully loaded LS in 2002 (also red) with sunroof and all extras. In 2005 he talked me into a GMC crew cab tk, that lasted until I drove a 2006 Impala LTZ (white this time...didnt like red that year) bought it in June 06. Absolutely love it. I have taken it on road trips to Portland, OR, several trips to Branson, MO and at least 3 to Wichita, Ks. Car now has 14500 miles and still rides awsome. Note... K&N airfilter helped with my gas mileage and take off quite a bit.

• 

  A Winner! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Tricky73 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I changed from a Catera Sport to the Malibu to get better access to the rear seat, compared to the new CTS design. I am pleasantly surprised at the satisfaction and performance of the Malibu, and would suggest other geezers look at this vehicle as an alternative to a Caddy for going to the supermarket...love the many new engineering features (e.g. electric steering.)