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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  Excellen work of Art - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By luis - August 21 - 10:00 am

  This is just an amazing that really topples the competitor. Size, Comfort and Reliability is out of Question. On its third year, you look everywhere and you will see Trailblazers. First year could be a hiccup but over the years, they just keep on improving. I am puzzled why other owners have issues and problems with it. Maybe they just dont know how to take care of this lovely machine . Keep in mind that they are machines, and their performance depend on how the owners run it. As they say, show me your car and I will tell you what you are ..

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  excellent toy - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rohaman - August 21 - 10:00 am

  this is amazing machine, thank GM has come out with this practical, yet powerful and economical toy. i will recommend it to anyone

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  By far the best sports car for the money - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Larry Johnson - August 21 - 3:15 am

  I recently bought a 2005 C6 with 2000 miles on it. This is the 4th Vette I have owned. The new C6 dominates the other cars in every category. This car feels like you are a part of it and never disappoints me in any way. Its a great head turner and by far my favorite Vette.

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  Good van, but could be better - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Chris Lynch - August 21 - 2:19 am

  I really like the exterior look of the van. After driving it around town and on a long interstate trip determined that it handles very nicely in both types of driving (feels safe, too). Absolutely love the DVD player, satellite radio, and other extras like 17 inch wheels. The two tone leather interior is very sporty. I had to remove the rear storage unit since it took up too much storage space.

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  Impressed - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Johnsay - August 20 - 2:06 pm

  My first SUV and its great. Smooth, powerful, comfortable, roomy. Outstanding gas mileage for such a large vehicle (20-22MPG). Mine has NO options yet seems extremely well equipped.

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  Very happy Vette owner - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By lauer777 - August 20 - 12:36 pm

  You name it, Ive had it. Mercedes, BMW, driven Porsches. The first time I drove my first Vette, I knew that I waited too long, and WASTED my money on foreign cars. I, like many others, was skeptical, due to American quality concerns. Think no more! For what I paid for my first Vette... $49K, what I got for the money far exceeded any other car in value. I purchased an extended warranty, and I drive virtually worry free for SIX years!! To date, not one thing, on both my Z06 and C5 has gone wrong. All someone in the design dept. needs to do is work on the interior, and, as far as I am concerned, we have a near perfect car!

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  Very satisfied, but room for change - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Scott - August 20 - 11:21 am

  The appearance of the 05 Colorado is one of the best Ive seen. The four door design and the addition of the side curtain airbags were a selling point. I have noticed tight quarters near the gas/brake pedals which concern me the longer I drive it. The exhaust noise doesnt seem to fit the statement the tough exterior makes. With a few changes Im confident that the Colorado will be the leading compact truck on the market.

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  My lemon - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Mickey Mathews - August 20 - 9:53 am

  I bought this car only a few months ago and it has been in the shop at least 10 times it sometimes will only go 25 miles an hour. It runs rough and the list goes on.

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  Second as good as the first. - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Buckdawg - August 20 - 9:39 am

  I owned a 2002 Avalanche for 3 years and just bought a 2005 Avalanche this month. I found the 2WD fuel usage to be very good considering the size of the vehicle. Except for the tailgate support recall and routine maintenance, I did not have one problem with the vehicle. It has been fun and useful to drive.

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  Like a Rock! Z71 Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Kevin - August 19 - 6:01 pm

  Plain and simple truck inside. No problems with layout of panels and radio. Outside looks great. Rough and ready. Just to give you an idea. I was leaving work and I witnessed a gentlemen standing in the parking lot saying as I pulled out "Nice looking truck"! Chevy got it right with this truck. You cant go wrong. I couldnt pass up the employee pricing and got a loaded Z71, AT, 4 dr crew cab. You cant be the MPG. I am getting 20 in town and 23 on the hiway.