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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  Comfortable interior/rough riding - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jed Pitre - November 7 - 12:15 am

  Very satisfied with the seating capacity and interior roominess. Designed to be able to do a lot with the seating (i.e. 2nd row features individual bucket seats and 3rd row is fold down for major storage capacity in rear of vehicle. Very good on gas mileage. Vehicle does not handle well. Typical of front wheel drive vehciles. Does not perform well on substandard roads. You feel too many bumps.

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  ZR2 blues.... - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Barbara - November 6 - 2:53 am

  OK I owned a 2001 Chevy S 10 ZR2 truck and LOVED it, but lost it in my divorce,so thinking they was all built the same i got a 1998 ZR2 Blazer. BIG MISTAKE I have only had it barely 2 months and alreday have major issues. Let start with the 4x4 it kept switching in and out of 4 wheel drive on its own, and front end needs work, ball joints ect and now a MAJOR issue with running service engine light comes on and it will run REALLY bad, acting like its getting no gas, has no power wants to die but then bam it runs great again in a few days. Seems to be a common complaint with the 1998s i regret buying it BEFORE I really researched the issues. THINK TWICE...

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  impressive car! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By seahawk01 - November 6 - 1:47 am

  Traded my Civic in on a new Cruze, it has been a long time since an american car was in my garage, and im happy as can be with the Cruze. I got the fully loaded LTZ model with the 1.4 t automatic. I have a very long daily commute and have been on several long trips, i rack up miles very quickly. I thought i would wait for a few miles to give my review/impressions on the car, i just passed the 20,000 mile mark. Early on my fuel economy was a bit dissapointing at around 28mpg (like some other reviewers here) It has been getting better as the miles go by, my last tank was 34 mpg. This is winter mileage which includes more idle time than normal, i keep a very close eye and records of my economy

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  Vic Red Cobalt - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lar - November 5 - 10:30 pm

  Fun little car, great gas mileage, very peppy for the price. Ability to get on the Interstate (merge w/70 MPH traffic) even though it is only a 4- cylinder sold me.

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  Sporty and Practical - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By David V. - November 5 - 10:23 pm

  I bought a used 2005 Impala and absolutely love it. I feel like Im driving a sports car, yet I can load up the family and go. Great gas mileage for a V-6 (29 - 31 mph). The ride is very quiet, smooth, and comfortable. You get a lot of value for your money, as even the base line model feels sporty and has lots of "extras." The crash-test ratings were fantastic too which should make my insurance company happy.

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  Disapointment - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Hal - November 5 - 5:25 pm

  Bought this from original owner. Had 60000 miles on it. Had to put 3500 in it within 6 months. Heard that this was 1st year for this design and many problems. When it runs it is nice but A/C, ABS, radiator and brakes didnt last. Wouldnt recomend this particular year.

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  Cobalt SS 2.4 - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By xbalt06x - November 5 - 5:13 pm

  I have owned this car since January and I cant be any happier. The ride is perfect, some say its cheap with interior, not in this SS model. the 2.4 vvt engine puts out a lot of power for a non supercharged Cobalt. This would be one of the best cars under $20,000. Its a great buy and I could not be happier. Great car, looks amazing, and performs with great gas mileage. Go Chevy!

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  Never buying a Chevrolet AGAIN! - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By WantinANewCarNOW - November 5 - 4:17 pm

  This was my 1st car. I got it as a college graduation gift. I saw it on the lot and test drove it and fell in love with it (think it was the sunroof and the cheesy woodgrain). A year later, I wish I would have left it there! Its been problem after problem! At first, it was the brakes. Then it was the hazard/signal lights which have their own mind. Now, its the intake gasket problem that is going to cost a MIN of $1000! And the value of the car has went down tremendously. I am seriously about to trade this car in for an Acura RSX or a Honda Accord or something--- anything but a Chevrolet!

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  Should Have Been Better - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By William Goulding - November 5 - 1:41 pm

  This Blazer 22000 miles on it. The grill bowtie bad had to be replaced the fuel tank over flow tube pinches replaced right front axle needed repair the rear window trim both left and right had to be replaced because of bad paint the water thermostat stuck open and needed to be replaced.

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  Jims 2006 z06 - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jim - November 5 - 12:43 pm

  My car is a Black 2006 Z06. I drove the car off the showroom in Long Beach Ca to Modesto CA. 300 miles of fun. A very cool car. Looks great and other people always looking at it. It drives like a race car. Very powerful. The car will take off. Very comfortable interior and the touch screen navigation/stereo is very fun