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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  Nice Car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By rls2882 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  This is the third Imala Ive owned. This ones black with grey leather interior. Has all the toys which is nice. Good results thus far but a nagging problem are the ac ducts on drivers sided. One either freezes one hand or face. There is no other alternitive except turning off the ducts. Very poor design from the get go. Getting acceptable milage and am happy with the car.

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  So Far So Good - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By DollBaby - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I drove a 2002 Blazer for about 2 years and was pleased with the performance of that vehicle. When the need arose for a 4-door vehicle in our family we chose the Trailblazer based on the performance of the 2002 Blazer that never gave us one ounce of problems the entire time we owned the vehicle. The Trailblazer screams comfort. I would even say it is comparable to a Cadillac that I once owned. THIS IS A NICE RIDE!!!!!!!!!!

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  Great Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Philly Joe - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I am 100% satisfied with my Equinox and then some. GM has finally produced a solid SUV, and after test driving a Ford Escape and Saturn VUE , the Equinox was clearly the better truck.

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  Best I have ever seen - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jrrsr - June 15 - 10:00 am

  This is such a comfortable vehicle. It handles so very easily. All radio, heater, a.c. controls are accessable with get ease and comfort.The controls are close to the driver which makes it safer to reach for it without losing control or swaying on the road. The accessory plugs are great and the adjustable "trunk" cover is such a great idea. We love it!!!

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  buy one - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By moose04 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I like when people stop me and ask "what ist that" or "thats sharp". Plus the gas mileage is comparable to my old grand am gt.

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  3500 Duramax CrewCab 4WD - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By T.D. Ball - June 15 - 9:16 am

  Without a doubt the best truck I have ever owned. The more I drive it, the better I like it. Fuel ecomony is 18-24 highway . In town is 16-18. High headwind, tall hills and foot to the floor bring mileage way down. Not lacking power for anything I do. Quiet, smooth and comfortable. Normal conversation at any highway speed is not a problem.

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  Good inexpensive car - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By linban - June 15 - 3:03 am

  I bought this car for a cheap economical commuter car. My uncle has owned 5 Chevy Cavaliers and recommended I buy this used one. His last one had 160,000 miles with no major mechanical issues and was still going strong. I have had no problems with mine. It had 73,000 miles on it when I bought it. I pushed it past 90 mph to see how it would handle, and it ran smooth. Granted there is alot of road noise and you feel like you are sitting close to the ground. But for a cheap little car, it is great.

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  Colorado - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By ross1113 - June 15 - 1:52 am

  I am very happy with my Colorado to date. Although it has already been into the shop for engine problems, and had new springs installed and new spark plugs. The fuel economy is not impressive so far. But, I love the drive and it is very comfortable on long trips. Took it on an 8 hour drive and it was a pleasure.

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  My Chevy Blazer - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Kathaleen - June 14 - 10:17 pm

  I had problems within one year of ownership - ball joints had to be replaced - it failed inspection. Then I have had endless problems with the four wheel drive - somedays it works only in four low. Now, I am told that the axle is going. The windows also leak in the front. I will only say that my Blazer is a lemon.

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  Cheap interior surfaces again - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 71novaguy - June 14 - 10:12 pm

  I bought this 07 Silverado during the summer of 2007. Truck looked great with the z71, chrome, and desert brown metallic paint. Truck has proven reliable. No issues with the power train. The seats are comfy, and we use it for long trips and moving with my job. But, its not without issues. Had a water leak. Turned out to be the 3rd brake light. Stained the headliner and had to fight GM to fix. Has had a blown rear shock, annoying underhood vibration, and check engine light due to a crankshaft sensor connector loose (GM fixed all issues). Now the dash has cracked at 87,500 miles. GM knows its an issue (check youtube), but will not fix. Almost every dash cracks around the passenger airbag.