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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  Trailblazer review - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sheri1024 - December 19 - 1:30 pm

  The trailblazer is a reliable SUV. It offers AWD, 4WD and lo. With all the snow we have had here in New England I have had the chance to test the truck. Aside from the sketchy handling around sharp corners, which I think due to the size of any SUV it would be in question. Overall it is a pleasure to drive.

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  SUV king - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jim - December 19 - 1:05 pm

  Pretty much an optimized SUV.There is a reason why so many people buy these trucks ! My family and I are enjoying the heck out of it ! The only issue I have is with the gearing, GM went with the 3.42 rear gear instead of the 3.73 ( which the 2004 and older units had ) I the intrest of fuel economy. Drivability however has been sacrificed at certain cruising speeds.The truck is not turning enough RPMs in top gear, and provides a sluggish feel below 75 MPH. Which is problem considering there are not to many places that allow you to drive that fast ! However, @ 85 MPH I think Im only turning 2200 RPMs, talk about a highway cruiser !!!

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  I miss the older Prism - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By gudly - December 19 - 11:52 am

  I had a 94 and loved it. No problems, absolute dream even when traded it in with 182,000 miles on it because I needed a truck. My wife needed a car so we picked up another Prizm. This time a 98. The engine very good.300 Ride quality is wonderful. But It is far more cramped than the previous model and a lot of the plastic brakes easily Weve replaced the driver side door handle 3 times. Weve also replaced the starter already. But it gets us where we want to go, and it is very cheap to operate. Love the gas mileage

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  2005 1500 Silverado CrewCab Z71 4x4 - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rossn2 - December 19 - 10:46 am

  Getting right at 17mpg with the 5300V- 8. It should go up. Ill also change to synthetic oil in a couple thousand miles. Im six foot and seat back so wish mirrors would extend more out so Im not looking down side of truck. Also, the headrests are cheap. you just push them up and down, theres no release button to lock them at a set height. Dropped down from a 2500 series truck with Diesel engine, was tired of paying 15-20 cents extra a gallon of fuel. So far like the truck, first Chevy product. Rides smooth..

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  Chevy Cobalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Donika - December 19 - 7:10 am

  I thoroughly enjoy driving my Cobalt. It handles very well even around curves and corners. Roomy inside with storage places. Bucket seats that adjust are real nice too.

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  2003 Suburban 1500 - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Rick - December 18 - 9:52 pm

  Good open view of the road. Roomy and comfortable to drive. Luxury feel with heated leather seat option. Stock CD and radio system have good sound quality. Handling very good for a high profile vehicle. No mechanical problems in 33000 miles. Smooth shifting tansmission. Overall rating is good to excellent.

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  I love this SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jp - December 18 - 9:22 pm

  This is the 2nd Tahoe within 2 years. I purchased it new and loaded and I absolutely love it. My gas mileage is good and Ill purchase another Tahoe most probably in 2007. Love this SUV!

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  Keeping my SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By L. Sherry - December 18 - 5:56 pm

  Excellent handling in heavy snow, reliable and well powered for pulling our boat. No problems whatsoever in the 2 1/2 years weve owned it. Extremely comfortable on long trips even though you do give up the better mileage of a smaller vehicle. Would definitely buy again.

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  Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Matt - December 18 - 5:32 pm

  The Chevrolet Trailblazer is by far superior to the Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Exterra, Toyota 4-Runner, or Ford Explorer. Every person knows deep down that General Motors produces the best automobiles in the world, hands down. My Trailblazer rides just as smooth and quiet as my Chevy Caprice. My Trailblazer will still be on the road 35 years from now, just like my 1970 Chevy Pick-up still is.

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  Are you kidding me??? - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By David Long - December 18 - 5:25 pm

  Are you kidding me? I cannot believe what a superb car the Corvette has become. My yellow, six speed, convertible does everything well. It is unbelieveably powerful, stable, comfortable, forgiving and just plan the most fun Ive ever had driving a car. This is my third Corvette. I loved my 64 and my 85, but this C5 is over the top for the sheer joy of driving. Oh Nellie... What must the ZO6 be like?