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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  The "chancey" first year - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By raboyd - February 25 - 10:40 pm

  We loved driving this car (one of the very first of the new model year) from the moment we bought it, it was a head- turner for months. This was our first GM product in 2 decades, even our base model was attractive and well equipped. The silver Impala was reliable and nimble and boy would the new (at that time) 3.5 liter V-6 scoot. This was certainly not your 80s Chevrolet metallic paint either! I had never driven anything quite like it and the base price was $1000 cheaper than the previous year. The kids, always named our cars, "Jenny", "Tootsie" and "Geraldine" based on the first experiences it was no surprise when the kids came up with the very different: "Rocket".

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  Prizm Cuts Through Clutter - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Andrew - February 25 - 3:24 pm

  This is a wonderful automobile because I get 42 mpg highway and a little city combined. The seats are a little uncomfortable, but my car has 113000 miles on it and it drives like a brand new car. Would deff recommend to a friend! I guess you could say im one of "the 9/10 ppl who would recommend Prizm to a friend". Prizm definitely "cuts through the clutter". In the mid 1990s I was "getting to know Geo" through the Geo Storm. Well, the Geo, or excuse me Chevrolet Prizm has my vote as one of the top cars of 2001. I hope I never smash my car. I am obsessed with Prizm. Prizm is good. I will buy a first generation Prizm (92 and older) second generation (93-97) Prizm also with my 01 Prizm

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  No room it the back - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Kaye - February 25 - 10:43 am

  This has always been a dream vehicle until we bought it. The vehicle is very comfortable except the backseat which is very uncomfortable and no room. There is no extras it is only basic inside.

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  2002 Trailblazer gets rated ! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Cmcjay - February 25 - 10:00 am

  Although the vehicle is a recent purchase for us, we seem to like it quite a bit. We did however, have a problem with the way they tie in the optioin packages. For instance, we wanted the sunroof but not the Onstar. They came as a package. We were unable to get the sunroof without having to pay the extra $965.00 for Onstar. Seems like a conspiracy.

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  My 2000 Z28 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bill Cook - February 24 - 7:24 pm

  For 10 Years Ive always wanted a Camaro and in 2003 I finaly bought a used 2000 Z28 with 34,000. This car is an absolute fun to drive, very comfortable, sporty and fast. Im a car guy 100% and this car is a pleasure to drive. But the build quality is, and Im very sorry to say, is poor. The transmission went for no apparent reason and Ive had incredible problems with the differential. The drivers seat wears out every 2 years and the V8 engine makes a lot of lifter noise when cold (cheap Chevy engine). Ive had to replace the cat converters every 20K miles- thankfully still under warranty. Regardless I love the car. Fuel milege is a dependable/constant 17/25.

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  Not sure I want another Chevrolet - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By cottonqueen - February 24 - 2:26 pm

  After owning a 2002 TrailBlazer, decided to get a new one. Boy was that a mistake. I loved it for the first 2 1/2 months. Then the stabilization light came on, got it fixed then check engine light came on. The nightmare begins, took in 12/27/08 and as of this date 2/24/09 I still have not gotten it fixed. They cannot get a torque converter. They say that is my problem. If they cannot get that part, what is to say they can get any other part that breaks! I am begining to hate Chevy. Paying for something, I cannot drive!

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  08 Vette Coupe - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 08 Z-51 Coupe - February 23 - 10:51 pm

  AI bought an 08 with 5000 miles on it. It has Z-51, dual mode and 6 speed manual. Performance is outstanding, dual mode is fun. Z-51 suspension is on the stiff side. It is OK in states with smooth roads, but would be bothersome in northern climates with cracked pavement. Overall a well built car so far.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By cs07 - February 23 - 8:38 pm

  I traded an 03 Z71 4X4 Tahoe for an 07 LT. It took me almost a year to find the exact options and colors that I was looking for. Already replaced the struts on rear hatch and instrument cluster - under warranty or it would have been traded. Local dealer has been wonderful. Interior is not going to hold up. The gas mileage is ridiculously overrated. I drive all hwy with 1 stop sign and easy driving and only average 17 on a good day - finally got 19 on interstate. Was mislead my Chevy reports. Awful resell value. This truck is awesome to look at and nice to drive but I can tell there is no way it will hold up like my last one. Die hard Chevy person, but probably not for long

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  Love my Equinox! - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By smalltwnwife - February 23 - 11:26 am

  I just traded a 2002 Ford Explorer for this Equinox and Im loving it! I can still hardly believe I qualified for one, but I did! It is such a cute, roomy SUV for my family and I. I cant wait to take it on a road trip and see how well it does. I love how much lower to the ground this vehicle sits, it makes getting kids in and out easy. There is a ton of leg room in the back, even when my 6 hubby is driving. The sliding back seat is great, along with the purse cubby under the front center console. A very basic vehicle, but still enough extra little things to set it apart. What really caught my attention was the crash test ratings. So very important when driving with little ones.

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  Fun in the Mud - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Taychiro - February 22 - 9:49 pm

  I was disappointed with the gas mileage and the 4WD until on a trip into the desert the pavement had run out. It had been raining for two days and the road was a mass of mud and water. I put it into 4WD low and powered through, no problems. We went about a mile until we reached a road and although hairy it was fun and we made it without a problem. This truck is a billy goat and I would not hesitate to take it 4 wheeling any time.