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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  04 Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By k91reddog - April 16 - 1:16 am

  Great in snow. Automatic 4WD kicks in just when needed and makes it very easy to drive in bad weather. Very smooth ride on all terrain. Rear audio and climate controls are helpful with rear passengers.

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  FINALLY!!! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Krow - April 15 - 11:10 am

  After experiences with terrible rattles, squeeks and vibrations in various GM Mini-vans over the past 13 years, I was more than ready to try an import. I was looking recently and spotted an HHR at a local lot. I immediately fell in love with the styling and the price and decided to give GM ONE more chance. Im glad I did! What a high quality vehicle! Absolutely norattles, squeeks or vibrations and very little wind noise.

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  i love it - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By BRENDA BYERS - April 15 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT MY TRACKER ALMOST NEW ACTUAL MILES WAS 100 OR SO. I HAVE LOVED EVERY MILE PUT ON IT. WHEN MY FAMILY AND I TRAVEL WE ALWAYS TAKE MY TRACKER. ITS A LITTLE CRAMPED IF OVER 4 TRAVEL. BUT THE GAS MILEAGE IS TERRIFIC, AND IN THIS TIME OF INFLATED GAS PRICES DO I SAVE THE MONEY. I LOVE THE RED COLOR WITH GRAY INTERIOR, I CAN GO FISHING OR TO THE THEATER AND SEEMS TO FIT EACH SITUATION

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  Fairly Happy - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By schober - April 15 - 2:00 am

  Our Impala is a decent car, but several problems have plagued us. New tie-rods at 30k (dealer found "problem" during state inspection and replaced under warranty). The rack and pinion was replaced at about 10k due to a loud squeal. The weak Goodyear RS-A tires were replaced after the third one blew out before 30k miles. The instument cluster was replaced at 37k due to a grinding noise in the tach. Its great to drive and the fuel mileage is incredible, over 25 average!! Its a good car, but I wouldnt buy another one.

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  da Crew - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bluecube - April 14 - 6:53 pm

  Im a Chevyman. I didnt look at other trucks. Got a great deal as a result of an agreement between my employer and GM. $2500 under invoice, plus rebates, plus 1.9% financing. It drives great, lots of power, rides better than the reviews lead me to believe. I get 17.5 MPH combo driving and 20+ on the highway. Only mod is a K&N filter. Bose sound system sounds awesome and the XM puts it through the paces.

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  One of the worst ever - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By savageice - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Engine broke($1200), timing chain broke (800), hit a little toothpick tree in the snow and did over $2000 worth of body damage. Add that to a couple of other problems under the hood....I pay more fixing it then I did when I bought the stupid thing

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  2002 Avalanche - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By earnhardtfanm - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding vehicle for family or the man or woman of the house....Has comforts of a 5 passenger car and the convenience of a truck. Load the back with what you need to haul, the handling is outstanding. The auto climate control is a feature that is nice, keeps your temp inside very confortable

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  Look at better options - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By JoHo - April 13 - 4:00 pm

  If youre looking for a mechanically dependable car, youve found it. But the interior quality is what could be found in a $9000 car. Its made from cheap plastic and the paint that covers it likes to chip easily. As said in earlier reviews, the housing for the sun roof likes to fall out, a lot. It honestly wont stay put. I love the feel of the car when i drive it, but the horrible quality of the interior makes me wish i could drive it without being in it.

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  Love it - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Maline Smith - April 13 - 3:09 am

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  Heavy Driver in South western Ohio - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Winshire - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Excellent Vehicle, the EXT seem to have better handling capability over the two seat version. The third seat gives the vehicle more flexibility and is comfortable for adults. The gas mileage is noticeably less than the two seat version a 2002 previously owned. Gas mileage in the city is about 15.5 and 16.8 on the road.