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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  2002 Trailblazer LTZ - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MThode - December 13 - 4:20 pm

  The power, handling and look of the Trailblazer is great. I have read some reviews that say the front seat belts are awkward, but being 54", I find them very comfortable. They dont ride up on my neck. I wanted a SUV that I wouldnt be afraid to take camping, pull jet skis, or other wise use it for what you bought it for. Some SUVs we test drove were too "soft". The Ford Explorer (we traded in our Explorer) was too plain. The Trailblazer had the right look and feel for us.

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  Great Suburban - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By LaDonna Whitt - December 13 - 2:07 pm

  I love my Suburban. It drives great and gets better gas mileage than was listed. And I love the 4 wheel drive because I can go pretty much where we please. It handles beautiful on highway and dirt roads. I even get wonderful milage in the mountains. I am glad I drive a Suburban. It has a lot of room and for long or short trips I can put so much in the roomy back. I have drove a Chevy a lot of years and I love them.

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  Nice ride - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ken Boldt - December 13 - 9:26 am

  Overall I have enjoyed driving the vehicle, however I am somewhat concerned with the way the automatic transmission shifts during acceleration, the tach revs very high before shifting. The rear windows leave some blind spots, however the front seating is comfortable and visability is good in front.

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  Great buy - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tigerfan - December 13 - 7:34 am

  I have the 2005 LT 4x4 regular wheelbase with the amazing 4.2L 291hp six. This car is underated by many consumer magazines. This is still the most powerful 6 cylinder SUV you can get. V8 power, 6 cylinder fuel efficiency. I pulled a 5500 pound trailer last month about 400 miles, and the Trailblazer took it with ease. It can also pull my two ATVs to the camp and back through moderate off road conditions with no problem, thanks to the automatic four wheel drive. After 11,000 miles, I find that my highway mileage is around 23, city mileage is as low as 17. Seats are comfortable, and the new updated interior has better trim materials than before, but it is still a little odd looking.

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  Buyers Beware - Poor Quality, lost value - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Paratrooperwife - December 13 - 12:16 am

  This is my first and LAST Chevy purchase. I paid $21K and three years later I cant even get $7K, when comparable vehicles are going for $14K. First week I had it the vehicle leaked. A bad leak. I should have known then. Since then its been one thing after another, sure warranty covered them for a while. Then my extended warranty kicked in, but the $100 deductable has cost me over $400 this year alone. Leaks, serpentine belts (3 in 3 years), passenger and driver window motors, windshield wiper gadgets gone bad, and more. Poor design, extremely mind-bending trade in values so low that I cannot believe it. The 2-door allows poor access to back, and the big fat spare tire is hard to see around

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  Love it! - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jason - December 12 - 11:02 pm

  I love this truck. I bought a used 2004 Colorado Crew Z-71 with every option except leather and sunroof. I had looked at Tacomas and Frontier, but they cost as much as a full size truck. I personally think my truck looks better than both of those as well. I traded in my 99 Ranger and the difference is night and day, power comfort and quite. Its an amazing truck and I was able to pull my boat out of the water no problem.

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  Best car I ever owned - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By angel - December 12 - 9:40 pm

  The Chevy Monte Carlo is reliable and fun to drive. It has incredible get up and go. It handles like a dream. I love the way it just wants to go, doesnt matter if your climbing a mountain or on a flat road this car goes with no problems. I get people stopping me all the time to compliment me and ask about my car. I always tell them that if they want a sporty, roomy, fast and comfortable car that they should go out and get one. I love my car.

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  Too Good To Be True - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By HEID - December 12 - 8:29 pm

  I should have known the price was too good to be true, I love to drive my car, however that is when it runs. It only has 32000 miles on it, and is in the shop more than driven, and Chevy does not stand behind their work. I think it’s a good starter car, but if you want a reliable car for day to day never ever by a Cavalier. Trust me I learned the hard way, and still owe 10,000.00 on the car

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  Als review - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Alton Thornton - December 12 - 4:56 pm

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  Works for me! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By aiwn - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Ive had absolutely no problems with my 00 Blazer. Its been very reliable since I got it. The interior is very functional and laid out to my liking. Engine has plenty of pep. The exterior has held up so far and its looks are better than other mid-size SUVs. Chevy trucks are almost always a good bet. Ive got a year left on my lease and Im probably going to miss this truck as I dont think there will be any Blazers left to lease now that the Trailblazer is available. Id buy this one, but the residual is way too high, which is how I got the great lease deal! I hope that Chevy can find a way to keep them around.