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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  GM gets it Right - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Racecar24 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 16 SUVs in the last 10 years and The Trailblazer is a great vehicle. GM did a great Job when they redisigned the Blazer.

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  funfunfun - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By steveh1354 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the LT model in June of 2004 and am very happy with the way this vehicle drives, very smooth and great vision of the road. Strong engine.Anyone interested in the video entertainment option should really shop around. the dealer wanted 1800 or so for a base setup and I purchased a nice sharp set up installed for 1000.

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  Very pleased in san diego - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By maxie - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Trailblazer on Jan 1, 2004. I drive it extensively, and haul a 23 foot boat with it. The only complaint I have to date is when approaching a stop while going downhill, when I brake it seems to skip, maybe even a tiny bounce to it. Turns on a dime, normally (other than what was already mentioned) brakes well, corners well, although does feel a touch top heavy. Mileage could be better, averaging in the 17 mpg range. Honestly, really enjoy it. Never had any car that was perfect, but this one I enjoy driving. Would recommend it.

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  GM Excellence? - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jdfosterdad - March 21 - 10:00 am

  1. We had engine performance issues from the start. The computer was reflashed 3 times. 2. At about 45,000 the engine began to knock when first started in the morning which sounded like piston slap, at 75,000 it was getting hard to start and compression on 3 cylinders was measured at 70-75 pounds. The motor had to be replaced. Since the motor, the transmission has had to be replaced. 3. We had performance issues, engine problems because of a poorly designed pistons and transmission failure, all were asked to be addressed under warranty and promises were made and in the end ignored. 4. Would I by another Silverado? I,ve been a GM customer for 30 years and can safely say NOWAY!!!!!

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  Fun Fantasy - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By David A Clawson - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I have always wanted to own a truck. Now that Im retired, I finally have one and I love it. I use it to pull a pop-up camper that I used to pull with my wifes Trailblazer. Although the Trailblazer did good, the Silverado is excellent! You dont even know its there. The only problem I have is my wife wants to drive it all the time (her Trailblazer is an 02 LTZ with all the goodies)! The mileage is not great but is better than I expected, even when pulling the pop-up. If the cost of repairs matches the Trailblazer, I will be happy.

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  my z71 - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By tkpyro - March 21 - 10:00 am

  i only buy chevys this id one of the best yet lots of power and good looks.

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  Solid and sound - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By stankosky - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle from the original owner who only parted with it due to a death in the family. He talked how he loved going on road trips with it and hated to part with it. Well, IÂ’ve had it for three years and it has been a great vehicle. IÂ’ve had to give it a brake job twice, it likes to wear out the front pads. With 178,000 miles on the engine, it still runs strong. It is indeed a great highway cruiser. ItÂ’s smooth to ride in and handles turns and corners very well. The body is solid and IÂ’ve only recently encountered a small area starting to develop some rust. I recommend the purchase of this vehicle.

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  great car ever made - 1996 Chevrolet Caprice
  By gbr - March 21 - 2:00 am

  great car

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  Not what its cracked up to be - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Scrubb - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new. Immediately the interior trim started to rattle, which I cant stand. Soon after, the interior trim started to fall apart including the center armrest lid, seat trim and finally the seat itself. I found that the paint job chipped and scratched very easily. It didnt seem thick enough. The muffler began a strange and bothersome rattling at only 25k. The head gasket failed at about 50k and the water pump failed at about 55k.

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  Not again - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By vaaccess - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I like my car, well enough that is. Its a good car if your looking in this price range, but I, for one, wont be buying another American car again. Next time Im going to German Engineering.