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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  Very Pleased - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Lwjslfo - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Overall, very pleased with my purchase experience and the vehicles performance. This was my first time buying a new car through "Internet/Fleet" sales. Initially a bit suspicious of everyone in the building being a "Fleet sales manager." It was nice to be able to compare selling prices from multiple dealers at one time, making them compete with each other, and putting the shoe on the other foot for a change. Vehicle styling and performance generally exceed expectations. Gas mileage is a bit disappointing, but within the range of comparable models. The interior appointments are very "plastic" and tend to seem somewhat "cheap" feeling.

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  lemon - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By todd vernon - July 31 - 2:00 am

  i got this truck to replace my 2000 lt silv. z71 and in the 5 months ive had my 03 its been one biiiiig headache its been at the service center as much as its been in my garage.

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  2006 Duramax - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Tom - July 30 - 8:23 pm

  Awesome power and very quiet. Have a 2004 Dodge cummings and an 05 Ford powerstroke and this has the most power, quietest and best mileage of the bunch towing and no towing. Interior is good and driving is fun.

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  Whidbey Report - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Sarge - July 30 - 3:50 pm

  As a Suburban owner, I was taken by the design of the HHR. Being an "Old Guy", I love the 49 Suburban take. Also, I like the fact that the seating position is high and entering and exiting this vehicle is easy. I dont feel like Im sitting on the floor boards. The build and quality of this vehicle is as good as Ive seen on any US vehicle. Maybe its because its assembled in Mexico. At any rate, theyre doing it right. I should say at this point, this report is on the 2LT with the 175 horsepower 2.4 liter engine. The 2LT isnt an option listed above for some reason. The 2LT has a larger sway bar and stiffer suspension. It handles way better, almost like a sports car.

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  Z-71 - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By scoti - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This truck is a blast to drive, it doesnt feel as large as it is. A great head-turner, about like new beetles were in 98. Get used to hearing "change for a dollar"

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  Crew cab - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By rdouglas - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought the smaller engine thiking that would be all I would need. If you are going to buy this truck get the bigger engine. With the small engine I am getting between 10 and 11 mpg. The short bed does not allow for a larger fuel tank so plan accordingly. Im getting rid of mine and buying a diesel.

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  Trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jacob - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I love this truck. It if fun to drive on and off road.

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  Lots of fun - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Russell Giuliano - July 30 - 5:00 am

  Just got a new SS. I went in to look at an old Jaguar, ended up buying new. I love the look of the new Impala (I liked the old one too). Im getting lots of compliments from co-workers, saying that it looks like a more expensive car than it is.

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  Pretty good...For a while - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By Ruby Shaun - July 30 - 2:00 am

  Pretty good truck for a while...Dont take 2wd 4 cyl offroading through anything...Itll completely kill it. Rust is bad, but it gets me from place to place. Trying to get rid of it now, lookin for somethin bigger and roomier. Prolly going towards Ford, I had a ranger for a while and liked that a lil better, not by much..Going full- size ford.

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  Nice car - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Anthony E - July 30 - 2:00 am

  Its a nice car runs fast smooth and rides soft