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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  Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mason - May 15 - 3:31 pm

  I purchased this vehicle new. Comfortable- fuel efficient for the size. My car burned half a quart of oil to 1600 miles since new. I use Luca Oil stabilizer- reduced to half quart to 2400 miles. Lucas fuel treatment really made a difference on performance during heavy acceleration. Currently I have a drive train issue that is being diagnosed by GM Dealer. My maintenance on this car is excellent. Nice car..I prey for new intake gasket repair but sense it will come. Brake rotors seem to be an issue on this car.

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  It "sips" the gas - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Avalon1 - May 15 - 3:13 pm

  I purchased the car as a rental return not expecting too much for an econo-box. I have been pleasantly surprised. On a trip to sf (253 mile) we got 41 mi to the gallon. The pick-up is zippy and have had no problems in two years. There have been some minor electrical glitches, but no worse than any other car. Get real, this is a cheap car, take what you get. If it is a lemon make some noise. Americans all want a Mercedes for escort price.

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  Very Good Van From GM - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By 2004 Chevy LS Ext - May 15 - 12:22 pm

  This van is remarkable. I have had it since it had 18,000 miles on it. I have done all maintenance that is required and it runs beautifully. I have one gripe, small things that go wrong on this van make me mad. The passenger window wont work, and the drivers side rear brake light wont work. Other than that the Van runs great and has been a surprise coming from GM. I was worried when I bought it. Gas Mileage is about 21 hwy and 18 cty. Brakes need constant adjustment. But work well

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  Good Car - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By bryan - May 15 - 11:53 am

  Bought this SUV used a year ago, and I have had no issues at all. I am in the military stationed in NY, and I drive to VA about every four months. Great for long trips. Good fuel economy. Great everyday driving car. Only issue I have had is battery placement.

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  engine problems - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jcameron - May 15 - 10:17 am

  I currently have 23,000 miles on my 2006 trailblazer. My check engine light came on, and they said it was misfiring in the cylinders. They replaced one, but that didnt fix it. Gm told them to replace the whole head and gaskets. They billed gm for over $6,000 warranty work, and now the light is on again. They are saying it is a parts problem, but they have to order the same part again to put back in it..$6,000 more dollars. My warranty is up in 2 more months, and I am trading this vehicle. My cousin has one also, and has problems. The service manager told me that it was a problem with the in line 6 engine in this vehicle.

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  Good truck. - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Ron Duncan - May 15 - 2:02 am

  I bought this truck new and the only things I dislike are; cant see behind me when parking, brakes are weak, not enough power, the back has never sealed right and the drivers side headrest has always been defective at the bottom.

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  2000 ZR2 Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Pau - May 15 - 2:00 am

  This was a lease that was going to be purchased when lease came to term. That isnt happening. The ZR2 is a great ride, very comfortable, very reliable, but it has its flaws. Fuel economy cant be an issue with an SUV. Anyone that thinks theyre going to get 30+ MPG isnt. There were problems with the outside spare tire carrier latch (corrected), the seat adjusters broke repeatedly (corrected, but at a constant inconvience), the sunroof leaks (still not corrected), and it does rattle alot when going over bumps. Quality control definately went down the tubes on this model year, so I believe the next purchase will be a 99 blazer. Hopefully less problems.

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  Just bought a new car - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By trsweeney - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought a new trailblazer and within a day the locks on the drivers door broke and the steering rack blew out, It looked great on the back of the tow truck though. I hope its a fluke but my confidence is shot!

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  Camaro Z28 1996 - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Dr Steve - May 14 - 10:12 pm

  The Z28 Camaro is an outstanding high performance car --- as American cars go its second only to the Corvette. In addition to ballistic acceleration, tight handling, and great looks, the Z28 has outstanding brakes. The 350 ci-in iron V8 (with alluminum heads) pumps out 300 HP and has never left me waiting for a tow. The 4 speed automatic transmission, however, did break down at about 125000 miles and cost a small fortune to be rebuilt. With slightly bigger than factory wheels and tires it handles great. Visibility could be better. Its got it all --- great looks, high performance, and better than average reliability. I expect the 2010 Camaro Z28 to be just as great to own and drive.

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  everything has its ups and downs - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Bonez - May 14 - 3:18 pm

  Loved the car before the problems but still love it. The transmission went out at 65,000 miles but was under extended warranty so they replaced it for free. Then cd player and stereo went out @ 3o, 000 miles but got it replace too. The car is amazingly comfortable and my mom rarely lets anyone else drive it but its got no power in that v8. I got beat by the VW jetta 2.5l, it was kinda embarrassing. Im a truck guy but this suv just makes me love it. Recall shouldve been done on transmission. Also this z71 is 2wd so better gas mileage