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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  1995 K1500 Chevy Suburban XL - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Tom T - April 5 - 10:37 pm

  I will buy from a GM dealer next time versus private party. The money I saved from buying from an individual versus the dealer was what I had to pay for repairs/maintence. This full size SUV provides the cargo and passenger space while providing towing capability. The space and towing beats the Fords.

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  Too Many Problems - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MC - April 5 - 6:33 pm

  I am a big GM fan, but this vehicle has issues. The ignitions switch went bad at 60k miles. My 4wd selector switch has been replaced, but is already acting up again. I love the look and ride of the vehicle, but a $35k vehicle is supposed to be reliable for more than 1 year!!!!!

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  No Good Chevy! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By No Good Chevy - April 5 - 5:31 pm

  Have had this SUV since new. Will never own another Chevy. Build quality is lacking. Gas mileage is horrendous. Getting 14.5 mpg according to onboard computer. Bought the top of the line with all the extras for $36000, now trade in is only about $17500! why did this loose value so quickly? Does Chevrolet know what junk they are selling? Have replaced the wiper motor twice due to recall, replaced taillights twice under warranty, and now need to replace again. Electric mirrors were replaced under warranty, now they need to be repaired again. Great Bose Stereo, but Chevy didnt build that. Reccomend Ford or foreign made vehicle next time. Very uncomfortable leather seats for front passangers.

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  Good for the Money - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By purtycoolguy - April 5 - 12:17 pm

  Bought a lease return in its first year and was my first "American" vehicle purchase in over twenty years. Loving the value I got from paying 1/2 the price for a new one and also the continued trouble free operation. Four wheel drive has been more than handy in three blizzard occasions. The top comes off easily enough and gives you a wide open feel with big windows for full visibility.

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  Bought a 2001 in 2013 - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By sstevek - April 5 - 8:30 am

  Bought the truck as-is, needed a few minor repairs that I did myself. Replaced the radiator, ignition cylinder and heater blower motor resistor circuit. All were not very difficult, Im not a mechanic. Im very impressed with the way it rides. The 4.8 V8 engine seems great, smooth, quiet and plenty of power. I like the truck doesnt seem as high as Dodge Ram of the same year, makes for easier loading. It sure doesnt feel like it has 177k miles on it. Its for occasional use, based on other reports Ive seen the high mileage shouldnt be a concern. I like that the truck is not over-designed, I prefer the styling of this generation over anything else.

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  Worst choice of my life - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By disturbedchic - April 5 - 3:34 am

  Bought a 95 Cavalier to replace what I thought was an ailing car I shouldve kept. In the 7 months Ive owned the car its had mechanical problems 6 times. First day I got it found out something was wrong with the transmission which would make it freeze up and not switch gears when it warmed up. The water pump busted and I went through 4 jugs of antifreeze before it could get fixed, transmission started to go, car would max out at 50, back door popped right open one day around a turn, and just recently it would take a city block to get it to 30mph and the whole exhaust system nearly touches the ground while the converter looks ready to blow.

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  Monte Carlo Sadly No Good - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By dan ryan - April 5 - 2:26 am

  ALthough very room(front seats only)and smooth styling the craftsmenship(things snapoff it)and the engine actually started on fire!!!!!!!! At best it is only a poorly crafter fancy Lumina!

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  Rate this vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Carole Shull - April 4 - 10:56 pm

  This is my first 4 door car. I have always had sport cars. It has been a delight to have room to carry so much. The size is good for women, not hard to handle or to get into. The only trouble so far has been a recall for a hose to be replaced on the cooling system. A water leak from my sun roof was coming into my lights above the mirror on the dash. That was corrected when the hose was fixed. I told other people about how much fun it is to drive. A close friend of mine got one because she liked mine so much. My husband was not crazy about getting it & giving up a sports car, but now thinks it has been his favorite one to drive. The first time I saw Equionx was on ithe nternet, and I did research before test driving it.

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  Nice to look at - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By angela - April 4 - 7:16 pm

  I am very disappointed in this SUV, Chevrolet put cheap paint on that scratches very easily (same with my Impala). I had a Hyundai for 7 years that never scratched like these cars. I have had several minor electrically issues within 6 months of owning the SUV. The drivers seat is very uncomfortable for long trips, which is why I bought a larger vehicle. For a company that is hurting you think they would offer a better warranty on their cars. Do not buy a car that their own maker cant stand behind.

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  Love my 94 Cavalier - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rlenser - April 4 - 2:08 pm

  Have had the car 11 yrs now, and will regular maintenance, it has been worth every penny. Surprisingly, we were considering selling it (its the bright shiny red rally sport coupe) and its kept higher value (vs initial price) than our other vehicles! Love my Chevy!