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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  Fun Utility Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MarkP - June 27 - 10:00 am

  The Chevrolet Equinox is fun to drive and offers a lot of functionality. I was able to haul baseball equipment for my sons colt league team all summer with room to spare. The back seats fold down - either both or a 60/40 split. Very convenient. The turning radius is tight, and the vehicle is very easy to park anywhere, whether it is a tight spot in a crowded parking lot, or parallel parking on the street. This utility truck gets great gas mileage, too. The visibility while driving is terrific, and although it is a small utility vehicle, it seems much bigger when you get inside. Plenty of leg room in both the front and back seats.

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  equinox LS - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By equinoxLS - June 27 - 10:00 am

  the equinox is a great suv. the seats are comfortable and there is plenty of leg room in the rear with the seat forward. 185 horsepower engine is strong and shifts smoothly, good acceleration and the engine is quiet.

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  Awful Transmission - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MitchNox - June 27 - 10:00 am

  The car is absolutely stunning to look at. One of the best GM designs in years. The interior functions are great including the moving rear seat. Major drawback is the AWFUL transmission. Actually, the dealership tells me it is not the transmission, but the computer that controls it. When test driving, be sure and drive one uphill. Start at the bottom of the hill and you will notice that it will NOT change from third to fourth gear no matter how many RPMs you are turning. It will not change until you reach level ground. Also going downhill, it will downshift very hard to assist in slowing the vehicle and at times can be a safety / control issue.

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  2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By PR Domena - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Awesome detail on this new Trailblazer - inside and out. Several new bow ties in the design - all tastefully done in the new gold. Added chrome touches to the interior add a touch of class. The new gear shift is easier to use and looks great too. Smoother ride with larger tires this year - seating comfort is great with leg support for the driver all the way to the back of the knee.

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  Great Bang for the $$ - 1993 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Steel - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Owned it for 7 years now (2nd owner)and the 1st time it needed a repair (bad fuel pump). Been extremely reliabile with 83K miles and gets unbelievable gas milage for a high performance car. I can get up to 38mpg at 60mph with the mods I made (gave more power too) & avg 22-24 in town with the 6spd. You can not beat it for the money ANYWHERE!!!!

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  Not Bad but Not Good - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By markarian - June 27 - 2:00 am

  All those people driving Suburbans, I thought there was something to them. Big, bulky, and horrible on Gas. One of the leather seats is cracking (not sure if they will replace), Stereo took 2 months to get fixed, make a lot of odd noises at odd time (clicking when A/C is on, Rubbing when using brakes) and paint job already showing problems.

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  One of the best cars ever bvuilt - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Z06 Rocks - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the ultimate car for the average joe. Still expensive but with some saving the average person can own one.

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  Excellent car - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rick Hidenberg - June 26 - 4:36 pm

  I was a little disappointed at first with the gas mileage, however after 2000 miles, it has really moved up better than I expected. The handling and performance is much better than I thought it could be. While not a sports sedan, you will be pleasantly surprised at the handling. Was undecided between the Malibu and the Impala, this was a far better choice. I would make one comment if you are looking to purchase this car, shop around the price differences between dealers is quite large. You need this car!

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  tracker options that could be added - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By sarahjd8 - June 26 - 2:00 am

  it doesnt have enought power when going up a small hill it kicks back asn forth into gear. It needs a bigger transmission and motor.

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  best truck i ever had - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By showmethemoney - June 26 - 2:00 am

  this is the best truck I ever owened, it is also very good looking. only complant is I need a little more power to pull my 35ft boat. TD