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:

• 

  Traded it in for a Honda - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By BecRN - February 18 - 2:00 am

  The Blazer looked great. Performance was always dependable in snow. But always something needing repair or replacement. And a very thirsty SUV. Rear visabilty obstructed with spare tire on back. I traded my Blazer in with 56,000 miles after 7 years and it was falling apart for no reason. It was cheaper to carry a new car payment then to upkeep the Blazer.

• 

  2000 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 SS - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Brian Patterson - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This car by far is the best bang for the buck on the market. Its unfortunate that they are no longer being made, but that just means that the prices will drop a little, and more people will be able to afford, and enjoy such a unique car as this.

• 

  Chevy tracker 2003 Base 4 DR with auto - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By bill griffith - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Chevy tracker is fun to drive good handling on the road good for fishing or hunting with the seates down a good vehicle in the snow and slippery conditions with the shift on the fly with 4Hi or 4 Low can get you home on time

• 

  Never GM again - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By LemonAid - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This car was a huge disappointment. I bought it very excited. It was nice on the outside and the inside was great. I was extremely happy and loved my Blazer, for about a month. Then the problems came. One after another. I bought the car with only 36k on it, and brought it back to the dealer again and again and again etc.. Problems ranging from switches, seats, blower motor, oil leaking, heater core, water pump, etc. Problem was not always fixed after the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd time I brought it back to the dealer.

• 

  2000 Cavalier 4 Dr. Sedan - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Chongsah - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This car has positives: nice body style, good gas mileage, nice interior, etc. However, something is not right with the ABS. Kind of scary. When brakes are applied (while slowing down to turn, stopping, etc. even on dry pavement), theres a hum, a vibration under your foot through the brake pedal, brakes lock up anyway and Ive slid (in snow) before the car stops. A few times, I was afraid I wasnt going to be able to stop in time and no, I wasnt driving fast at all, driving through residential streets. Also, power window on front passenger side stopped working after only 40K miles. Difficult to get in and out of the back seats, even though its a 4 door.

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Rick Hale - February 17 - 6:26 pm

  Fun to drive, lots of room, have 6 dogs 5 little and one 117 lb all fit with seats down along with cargo, Great gas mileage. Sharp looks inside and out..Very retro, Love this vehicle. Very impressed with power. Set cruise and go, even long hills dont slow it down..

• 

  experience - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mary anne patino - February 17 - 10:00 am

  it is a fun car to drive A little tempermental but fun.

• 

  trailblazer awesome - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By aic70 - February 17 - 10:00 am

  After owning a ford explorer, Im happy to see a new american made suv at a great price. I have owned many suvs and this has been the best and I havent had any problems or recalls. Many of my family memebers own this vehicle.

• 

  RENEE - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By RENEEM - February 17 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS A SMOOTH RIDING VEHICLE AND LOOKS GOOD!!!

• 

  Excellent Family Car - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Walter - February 17 - 3:36 am

  Great car for Mom & Dad and 1.5 kids, plenty of room in the back seat to avoid kicking daddy on those long boring trips to grandmas house. Dont expect super gas milage for those around the town errands but will hold its own on the open road. Fantastic engine will have you leaving BMWs and Mercedes eating your dust when the traffic lights turn green. Buy it you wont be disappointed !