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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  Great SUV - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By N.morrison - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle in 2003, commute to work 27 miles from 5400 feet down to 2000 feet through snow and heavey traffic. This vehicle handles fantastic in the snow high alitude (9600 Ft) Sonora Pass. Thank You GM :>)

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  Great SUV...Traded in 2005 Escape - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Kimb - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I love this SUV...I had just bought a new 2005 Ford Escape and kept having problems with it and 1 time while it was in the shop I rented a Trailblazer.. I was sold.. After continuing to have problems with my 2005 Ecsape.. I traded it in on a 2004 TRAilblazer... I love it... Much better SUV!!!!!

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  Annoying But I Love It Anyway - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Andrew O. - October 8 - 1:34 pm

  Weak transmission- slams into first- feels like you have been rear ended. Great engine- sounds good- lots of power- excellent acceleration. Door speakers cheap- tinny- failed and were replaced. Terrible blind spots from drivers seat due to very wide A pillars- dangerous!. Stabilotrac very finicky- frequent messages that is not working but then seems to correct itself. Frequent evap. emissions trouble and expensive to fix. In spite of all this, I get a kick out of driving this car because it has a great engine. Rest of car I would describe as so-so. This is the last year of the Impala V-8s so the car commands a premium price when selling or trading, they still sell for $2000 more than the 6 cyl. models.

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  No Advancement - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jpow - October 8 - 9:16 am

  My previous 4.3L managed almost 24 mpg on the highway, however my 2008 gets 14 to 15 mpg. I cant roll the window down with a container in the drink holder, this appears typical as I am finding more and more ergonomic issues e.g. try getting the jack out of a standard cab. I installed mud flaps over the weekend an noticed how easily the rear fenders flexed. I crawled under the truck and took a closer look at build quality; and it appears that I am the victim of excessive cost cutting. When compared with my previous GM pickups my 2008 is really a disappointment.

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  Solid - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jon - October 8 - 5:43 am

  Ive driven some pretty awful cars, so I would have been happy with a well constructed cardboard box with a transmission. I would have liked an expensive V6, but the wallet didnt seem to agree with me. To my surprise though, this cars quality is way more than what I had anticipated for the price I paid. The design, overall power, drive quality, and value are exceptional. The coupe has a few blind spots in the back and my model doesnt have power windows (But is an LS...I dont have any clue how that happened...)

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  Go ahead and get it - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By JSawyer - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I really like the Z24. The horsepower is enough to satisfy many. The style and comfort and great. My only complaint is that it tends to oversteer in a high speed corners so be ready. For Nascar fans thats "loose". The clutch has little feel but once you get used to it, its not a problem. The engine has a great throaty sound. This is not an exhaust sound but rather the intake. The torque is quite impressive for a four banger. While the car is heavy the torque alone prevents needing to downshift. Need to pass someone just stay in fifth and press the gas. If you can find one of these cars take it!

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  review - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jett2502 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned a 2003 Avalance and presently own a 2004 Avalanche. Ive been very impressed with quality of ride and reliability (I had the 03 in the shop one time for a click in the drivers door) and have yet to have the 04 in the shop. Versitility is this vehicles greatest asset. Its like having a family vehicle that can be quickly converted into a pickup truck. Fuel mileage is well above average for an engine and truck of this size (15 city and 19.3 highway). The 130 inch wheelbase makes it practical for city driving and parking.

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  1 owner faithful pickup - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By leme - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This truck has been in our family its whole life and is still going strong at 180,000 miles. It used to be much better on gas mileage, but it doesnt owe us anything anymore. The 4.3 V6 still has plenty of power. She went through a salt water flood up to her floorboards 5 years ago, and aside from body rust hasnt shown any signs of giving up. I hope my next pickup gives me the reliability of ol Red.

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  Love / Hate Relationship... - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By WillySLC - October 7 - 2:00 am

  We started looking for an SUV last year and when we saw this one, we had to have it. The Tahoe drives better than any other SUV in its class. It is very solid on the road and gives great confidence. This much I love. I HATE the reliability. Immediately after we bought it, we had to have several fuel injectors replaced at about $500.00. Some time later, the fuel pump failed. We also replaced the alternator. All this in about a years ownership. Oh yeah, and the drivers door handle broke off. We also find that the lack of rear air conditioning is a major down side. So, like I say, we love to drive it, but it is a huge money pit.

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  Good Buy - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By K. - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I like how the car drives. Just breaking it in so for now fuel economy sucks but it will get better gettin about 28 on the highway 20 in the city rated for 26/37 but it will go up. No regrets about getting the stick. Only thing I miss about the Saturn I traded in is the remote keyless. This isnt a big deal with this car since its only 2 doors