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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  2006 Chev Silverado - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By buyToyota - June 2 - 8:33 pm

  i really believe there should have been recalls on this truck. All of the following repairs were needed in the first 36 months i owned this truck: ABS went out; front axle seals continue to leak; rotors were replaced on both sides; nearly lost control of the truck on the highway when the front wheel bearings gave out; the 4 wheel drive automatic switch broke and shut down the 4x4 function; the drivers side door panel came loose and the entire panel had to be replaced; the plastic hinge for the center console broke off, etc etc.. Again, i believe that there should have been or should be a safety recall on this truck. Buyer beware. Thank goodness this is a leased vehicle and i return it.

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  My Best Vehicle Yet!!!! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By C Canning - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I absolutly love this truck! I love the look of it, the comfort,the quality, and the performance. An excellent towing vehicle that is a dream to drive. Very quiet inside and the smoothest ride Ive had for a long time.

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  Maximum Maxx - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Saler - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Just returned from a 4,000 mile vacation in this car. Gas mileage was better than expected-- especially in the hilly terrain of Pennsylvania and Virginia-- 36 MPG! Plenty of pick-up climbing hills and passing. Still cannot believe all the adjustments on this vehicle. I can customize almost everything to my own liking. Comfortable long drive, with drivers lumbar support and adjustable seats. Love the features on the steering wheel; can maneuver everything with your thumbs without taking eyes off the road.Could fit a lot of cargo and still be able to see through back window.

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  What problems? - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By soldoncars - June 2 - 10:00 am

  What a wonderful decision. This truck has been reliable and trouble free since day one. Its even been rolled onto its side! Plenty of power from the 4.8 V8, and it gets decent gas mileage, around 17MPG. No major problems, other than the power steering pump needing replacement at around 34,000 mi. Seats need replacing, the brake pedal is downright soft, material quality is questionable, the steering is heavy, and the AC has a WEAK air flow on full blast, though temp is cool. Rough ride, but that can be expected. Look carefully at this. Verdict: If its reliable, then forget material quality, buy the car.

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  good truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By ICMack - June 2 - 10:00 am

  For being a 4 cylinder it has good power and great fuel efficency. I have the automatic and I get 20.8 in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The transmission is smooth.

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  New Kid on the Block - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By H Janssen - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Truck comes lowered which ,along with the 50 series tires, combine to emit a disconserting semi "hobby horse" ride quality on non asphalt freeways.Typically ,the partitions in the concrete slabs can bring on an affect not too distant from that of feeling as if the tires are out of balance.The power is adequate- especailly at the higher rpm levels designed in the new 3.5L mill but the initial low end grunt of the now defunct 4.3 V-6 is missing.Comfort levels and economy seem to be excellent and the new look is refreshing and aggressive.Wish the towing capacity was a bit higher but for everyday use I think the new Colorado will be just fine.

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  Very Happy - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By coosa - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive put 2K miles on my LS, and dont know of anything to complain about, and that is unusual for me. I looked at several other cars seriously - a Camry, Lexus ES 330, Buick La Sabre, and also briefly considered the Equinox. The Camry is a like driving a wagon compared to the Impala. The Buick is a good car, but it looks like you have to live in a retirement village to own it. The Lexus was seriously considered, but it would have been over 10K more, and I dont think it is worth it. The Impala definitely has a more comfortablbe seat, and 200 hp is plenty unless you are drag racing. The Edmonds review almost kept me from considering the Impala - dont listen.

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  Great little SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By wayne248 - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Really great small suv. Attracts attention and carries a lot more than I thought it would. Mileage good too.

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  great truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By ridgeroc - June 2 - 10:00 am

  This truck has plenty of room for 6 adults. Plenty of power also. Great truck overall.

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  Former Ford Owner - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Northwoods - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I have previously owned 3 new Ford F- 150s. I was looking for a change. I went to the Toyota dealer to buy a Tundra. I was not impressed with the ride and comfort of the Toyota. I was on my way to buy another Ford. I passed a Chevy Dealership and took a test drive. I was very very impressed with the size and comfort of the Silverado. You can actually put people in the back seat. P.S. My wife loves it. Finally, I tow a 23 foot boat and this truck just eats up the hills. Great vehicle for work and comfort, the combination cant be beat.