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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  Finally, a nice change of pace for Chevy - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Eric S. - May 31 - 11:00 am

  In general, the vehicle performs well and has a car-like ride, however, there are some bothersome characteristices: below average gas mileage vs. sticker-a 2005 model should perform better-look at the mileage of an Accord; poor turning radius-a lot of backups required; wind noise on the drivers side, but passenger side OK-dealer says that is the way all Equinox are, but that doesnt make it right. Lacks some little touches like grab handles inside the front doors to help you in, sun visors are too short to completely block the sun-had to fabricate makeshift extenders out of cardboard, but on long trips, you need it. In general, a very nice, stylish vehicles that gets some second looks.

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  Love My Chevy - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By BiMi - May 29 - 6:49 pm

  I bought this car in 2006 and have loved every minute. It is so reliable and the gas mileage is astounding. The dash and cracks around the vents and radio are discouraging. So much of the cosmetic parts of the car have broken off. My husband and I have driven from Florida to Philly, Philly to Virginia (4 times). It has done extremely well. My husband used to make fun of my "sissy car". his car broke down, but mine keeps on going and going. He stopped calling it my "sissy car". It is now "our car".

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  RED RIDER - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By raider - May 29 - 8:14 am

  I bought this from a person who had it from when it was new. Never had any major problems and now I have it and it rides great and is good in the snow.For me this Suv runs like a champ plenty of power.

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  Good Value Especially When Used - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Stape - May 28 - 9:49 pm

  This SUV is quiet and comfortable. The front bucket seats are soft and very comfortable. GM improved the engine design over the years and my 04 has port fuel injection which helps the throttle response and mileage. Power is adequate. The 4 speed auto tranny is well proven being developed in 1997. It has electronic control. I added a tranny oil cooler to extend life. The car has good visibility. I am impressed with the under carriage fiber glass covers, which will be useful for keeping snow off critical parts although they will not offer the protection of steel components. The Billstein shocks are outstanding! Front brakes with ceramic pads and dual piston nice with ABS! Average stereo. Buy!!

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  THOUSANDS less than a Camry - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By The dude - May 28 - 9:29 pm

  Having looked at hundreds of reviews and test driven at least a dozen different used sedans,I settled on the Impala. Why? Power. The Impala LT has 211 horsepower, the equivalent Camry only 155. The difference on the road is not slight. Nor is the price. The 2007 Camry I was looking at was going for 19,000, The Impala for 14. It was no contest. I tried a Honda Accord and the seats nearly destroyed my back just in a test drive. Way too hard as was the price. The Impala is a light, very quick sedan with bucketloads of power. The transmission wants to clunk out of first gear unless you hit the gas. This is a car that WANTS to be driven quick. A light, excellent handling, powerful sedan.

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  Will NEVER own another - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By custard-goddess - May 28 - 5:27 pm

  Before I had a 2001 Chevy Cavalier, that had reached 225,000 miles. I thought that the Cobalt would be comparable to the Cavalier boy was I wrong. I love the style of the car very cute inside and out. The features are amazing XM, MP3 jack, remote start, but the quality leaves much to be desired. I have had to fix so much on it in two years broken tail light after two weeks of ownership, squeaky sunroof, loose seat fabric, breaks and rotors replaced(only after 15,000 mi),left control arm, radio buttons stopped working, and BOTH remotes to my car are broken.

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  2004 Chev. Venture - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Richard T - May 28 - 2:36 pm

  I purchased this vehicle after owning a 2000 model and doing considerable research. This vehicle offers good mileage and good value for the money. I looked at newer SUVs and Vans, then discovered this model offers as good or better mileage, and just as much interior space for a lot less than new. Mileage first 5000 miles has averaged 23-27 MPG if driven reasonably.

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  Disappointing - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ryster - May 28 - 1:16 pm

  Purchased my new 06 Impala LT, glacier blue, new in late July 06. Now have 2100 miles on it. Performance of the 3.5L V6 is perfectly acceptable for my 60 mile round-trip daily commute. Gas mileage has been around 22mpg regardless of driving conditions and A/C use (nowhere near the 21/32 rating on the sticker...I expected to average around 24-25 overall). Exterior build quality excellent. Interior build quality poor. Numerous creaks/squeaks/rattles in the dash. Driver seatback creaks when you lean back or shift in the seat. Seat also creaks when going around turns or even just accelerating from a stop. OEM Goodyear tires are dangerous in the rain. I plan to trade in 2yrs.

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  Pontiac Man Gone Chevy - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Tkay43 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Very happy with the handling package of the Monte Carlo. My last car was the Grand Prix GTP from Pontiac and I must say I would pick the Monte Carlo over the Grand Prix for ride and handling any day. The 3.8 L engine in the Monte Carlo cannot compare with the supercharged GTP when starting from a dead stop but at the high end ( over 55 mph ) I can not see a difference. Excellent stereo system option and for the price would suggest you take.

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  My first year review - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By svegliando - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned the LTZ for a year now and have been pretty happy with it. Ive experienced a few minor problems (transfer case mysteriously shifting on its own, power windows that do not reset), but the vehicle has been reliable. My only complaint would be in build quality. Seams do not appear even and when driving off road. When driving off road (forest roads) the body does not feel tight over bumps. But having own two GMC Jimmys before this, it was expected.