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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  This vehicle is sweet. - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By *THEMAN - April 12 - 4:50 am

  I love the 2005 Trailblazer. Mine is fully loaded with the Bose speakers and navigational system. It has a moonroof and so many extra gadgets I havent figured them all out yet. The vehicle is extremely comfortable with heated and power seats. If you ever buy one, I recommend the navigational system. It tells you where to go and where to turn, very easy to use. The digital readout monitors about every thing imaginable on the vehicle. It tells you your oil life percentage, avg miles per gallon, miles left to travel before runnin out of fuel, etc, etc.

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  Best vehicle I ever owned - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By happy owner - April 12 - 3:10 am

  I have never owned a better vehicle. It has 300,000 miles now and runs like a champ. The only thing done to this vehicle was change the brake pads at 225,000 for the first time, water pump at 285,000 shocks at 250,000 and spark plugs every 100,000 I have never even aligned this vehicle!

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  The Little Car that Can - 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  By MetroMan - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This is my second new Metro. First one was total by a semi (and I walked away!). Love the comfort. Love the milage even better! Low maint. costs! Would buy my third new metro if only Chevy would wise up and start making these little gems again!

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  1990 Blazer S-10 - 1990 Chevrolet Blazer
  By cobrajet - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I still drive this vehicle daily and have for 5 years. I bought the vehicle with 88K on it and the problems didnt hit until 135k. Then they really hit. The oil cooler began leaking like a sive, the headliner fell down on my head, #6 cylinder developed blowby that I couldnt keep spark plugs from fouwling. In five years I drove her to North Carolina and back twice, South Carolina and back twice and Missouri and back twice and Gettysburg and back without a problem! It rides and handles like a dream. I bought it for $5,500 in 97 and it doesnt owe me a thin dime. I still love this vehicle.

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  Pleasantly Suprised - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By smartjt - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I was mainly looking at the "import" pickups before I bought mine. A friend of mine told me that the S10 with the 4.3 V6 / Auto was worth looking at since he had known a number of people who had many trouble-free miles with that drivetrain. After comparing Toyota, Nissan, and the S10, the Chevy offered the most value/features for the money. After a year and a half of ownership, I can honestly say that the S10 has far exceeded my expectations. It gets 23 mpg on the highway, plenty of power and comfort, and so far I have not had it back to the dealership for any problems. The guys in Shreveport LA built a nice truck.

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  Awesome - 1993 Chevrolet Camaro
  By CobraEatr - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is awesome! How many cars that are sold today come with 275hp and 325ft-lbs of torque STOCK. The ones that do are generally well over $35,000. This car is without a doubt, the best "bang for the buck" out there today. Not only is it fun to drive, but on the interestate its a monster. The 6-speed transmisson makes for excellent MPG while cruising around on the open road.

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  Total Practicality - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Howardvv - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Its not a BMWr, but it does everything well and has been totally trouble- free. The Malibu has apparently earned the intial quality award that it has advertised.

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  Very impressive - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By chevyguy - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I drove a Blazer for a few years but dont let the name fool you, this is a much different SUV. The interior is very roomy (I am 64 and very comfortable in it). It has great features and has a nice feel to it, although the plasticky feel to the dashboared takes some getting used to. A friend of mine at college flipped his Trailblazer on a mountain and, after landing on his wheels, managed to drive it four miles back to civilization: there were three people inside and not a single injury, now that is safe!

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  Awsome car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Craig Euritt - April 11 - 8:40 pm

  Very nice design, unreal gas mileage on the 3.9 32+ on the highway, Nice sturdy seats that are the most comfortable I have ever set in. This car is a winner. highly recomend

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  Chevys last stand - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jon - April 11 - 2:53 am

  I bought this truck with 130000 miles.4.8, automatic. I now have 204000. Doesnt burn or leak a drop. I love the way this truck drives and rides, especially after installing super chips, heavier front torsion bars, added another full leaf to the rear springs, Bilstiens, locking rear end. I hate: defective throttle body, noisy pistons when cold, defective fuel tank sender, defective 4wd switch, defective EVAP vent valve, defective abs unit, defective fan blower switch, defective drivers side window regulator, the rocker panels no longer exist due to rot due to bad design. The dealers will not reveal how many of these defective parts have been replaced. Should have been a lot more recalls than there were.