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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  I am very sad. - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By John - November 22 - 2:22 pm

  I bought a 2009 Cobalt LT sedan two weeks ago. It is beautiful Sport Red Tint with Grey interior. After putting just 149 miles on it, the electric steering started making a death wail each time I turned a corner. The car now sits at the dealership. When they hooked up the diagnostic computer to it, TWENTY possible error codes came back. Fortunately, my salesman is letting me select another car, which is a shame, because I really liked that one. The 2009 rental Cobalt I am in drives perfectly with 31,000 miles on it. Maybe I just lucked out in getting the lemon?

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  Excellent value for money - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tarek - November 22 - 1:34 pm

  i purchased my tahoe 4 years ago, so far i didnt face any kind of problem with the car. i live in the arabian gulf so hot during summer but the cooling system and A/C are very efficient.dealer service is excellent. until this day im still using the original brake pad after 65000 Km and the dealer said it is still 50%

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  Finally - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By garx - November 22 - 2:00 am

  After years of "putting up" with second class foreign SUVs (the Rodeo for example) due to cost constraints, I have finally found a vehicle I can both afford and have fun driving. The TrailBlazer is comfortable, fun and (believe it or not) reliable. I have had it for ten months and have been back to the dealer for normal maintenance only. I have had NO warranty problems or even minor mechanical problems. It is fun to drive. My only negative is that I wish it could get a little more than 15 MPG; but I suppose thats the price you pay for driving a SUV.

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  So far so good! - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Steve - November 20 - 9:34 pm

  I picked up an 09 equinox after completing many hours of reviewing. What I like most about the vehicle is that all of the kinks have been fixed since 2005. The seats are comfortable outside design is nice (2010 owners, you win!) drives like a truck (which is fine) gas mileage is ok (nothing to brag about).. overall its a sturdy vehicle. I would have picked up an 2010 model if I racked up ++ miles, however, I do not drive enough to take full receive full benefit of the gas savings. The way I look at it, it would cost me $1000/20000km (Im CDN) more running this vehicle than the 2010 model. I only drive 5-10k/yr and keep my vehicles for 5-6 years therefore, costing $2000 more in gas.

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  2002 Trailblazer LT - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By JASDMD - November 20 - 10:00 am

  Its been an absolute pleasure during the 1st 10,000 miles on my trailblazer. A real solid ride with great passing power, good sight lines and well thought out ergonomic features that are comfortably for both my wife and myself. So far weve averaged 17.2 MPG during the 1st 10,000 miles which has included a fair amount of time on back roads using 4 wheel drive. My wife would reccomend that if youre under 56" that you pay the extra money and get the running boards to help with entry (especially while wearing a skirt!) and loading of the roof racks.

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  ZR-2 is made for ANYTHING! - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Ferris777 - November 18 - 8:17 pm

  Whether its hot and humid or snowing inches at a time, the ZR-2 Blazer is made to have fun and look good doing it. After owning some jeeps here and there I found out that while the off road performance was outstanding the crudeness of the ON road and the lack of comfort and features was too much to stand. The ZR-2 offers the best of both worlds. While providing confidence on the trails, the interior and suspension will take care of you on the way there. The seats in the back can be set down allowing for huge cargo space...and as the owner of a English Mastiff...I need it. If your looking at a small, fun to drive SUV that will last a long time, the check out the ZR-2...I think youll like it.

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  Rather fine truck - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By CHB - November 17 - 6:01 pm

  Two weather strip issues are the only problems in first 36000 mi. Dont get heavy duty suspension unless your going to carry max weight or some cargo in bed all the time.

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  Great Car - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Clydeprang - November 17 - 3:53 am

  Outstanding performance for v-6; Suspension (optional sport) does a great job on twisty roads. Comfort features (heated seats, etc are very nice touch); we have been very pleased with this vehicle in town and on one 5000 mile trip. Gas mileage is an amazing 30mpg - even at 70mph plus. Little too much road noise on some roads, but that is not hard to live with.

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  How about the truth - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Ash - November 16 - 10:22 pm

  I had been searching for a vehicle for months now. I wanted something not too expensive and wont will get me from A to B. I found the nicest fire red 4 door hatchback (5 door). Automatic and fully loaded! It was fantastic. However, bad news. You feel absolutely everything in the vehicle. It isnt as reliable as they make it seem. I have had to return my car three times now. I am going for the forth. I will probably bring back my car before the 60 day guarantee as I have had the worse luck with the car. I am extremely upset, because it isnt what was expected. If you get the car at a good deal and dont mind it being slow and feeling all. Go for it! besides that look away

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  Love It!! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By AUSPOW - November 16 - 1:15 pm

  I have had my Blazer for a little over two years. 118,000 miles and still going strong. I love it, she has plenty of pep and is a very stylish SUV. Whenever I go anywhere my friends always want to take my Blazer. Have had some problems but for a 9 year old SUV, not too bad.