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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  Just my 2 cents - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By diana s. - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Im pretty happy with the car. Would I buy another Impala? Possibly...time will tell if the car has mechanical problems. I drove a 1998 Cavalier before the Impala so needless to say this is much more comfortable and performs better. My husband just bought a 2003 Cavalier for a work car. Brand loyalty until we experience problems....over and above the hell of dealing with the dealerships.

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  chevy trailblazer ext 2003 - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ruger - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I bought this SUV because the tahoe was just a little too big and bounced me around a little too much. we wanted extra room so we went for the ext and we are so pleased that we did. i love the set up inside. very easy to change seat positions and even adults can fit comfortably in the very back. looks hot and feels great to drive. definately would recommend!

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  Mios Review - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Chris Mio - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is very nice. The only thing i dont like about it is it is very high so when i wash it i have to get my stool, but other wise i love it.

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  A great Buy!! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By HOOYAA - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This Trailblazer is anything I could have asked for. I paid a great price and for the money I spent. It out performs any out performes any other ute out there.

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  Best SUV I ever driven - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mr. Brownridge - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This is the one SUV I found that drives smooth like a large car. Its very roomy and We traded in our 2002LS for a 2003EXT only cause we needed a little more room for our children and travel. Chevy did a great job with this vehicle.

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  Chevy Maxx - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Canadian Owner - January 23 - 12:56 am

  Fun to drive, fuel efficient car, good acceleration, comfortable to have four adults over 6 feet to travel long distances. Doors can be opened very wide (almost 90 degrees to the body of the car) allowing exceptional access to the car. The design of the car allows for considerable features for price of the car. The styling of this car is for those who want be a little different and have all the comforts storage and handeling. It is nice for us in cooler climates to have the block heater and remote starter.

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  Little red machine - 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mike - January 22 - 11:24 pm

  My only complaint is really about Chevrolet and not the Equinox itself. Like a damn fool when I test drove it, I didnt think to check for a CD player because "what car doesnt come with one these days" Equinox is part of that answer. Apparently Chevrolet has decided that I dont need or want one. I spend a considerable amount of money making CDs with the music I wanted to hear on each one. Now Chevy tells me "tough sh_t, we will decide what you can listen to and how you will listen to it. The dealer helped me set up what is called Pandora to listen to music I like. What a bunch of BS. I have to make sure I have my smart phone with me just to hear my music. My last 4 vehicles have been Chevrolet or GMC. that wont happen again. I will decide what equipment I have on the vehicle I pay for, not Chevrolet.

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  Great Ride - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Happy Grandma - January 22 - 9:10 am

  Love at first drive! This vehicle is exactly what I need to carry kids to daycare, school and work, load all kinds of cargo, and enjoy driving all the time. It has a luxury ride, its beautiful, and roomy. My grandson loves the opera-style 3rd row seating. He has lots of room to play and can see outside with no problem. Plenty of power.

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  Stay away - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By texrock - January 22 - 5:19 am

  Where do I even begin? This truck is a nightmare. The only thing worse is GMs response or lack thereof. 1.Moving/shifting drivers seat; GM failed to fix it three times. 2.Missing lights on radio; GM states theyre not on this truck(LTZ) even though it clearly shows the lights in all the brochures and the Sierra has it. 3.Condensation in the headlights. 4.Fluctuating RPMs and rough idle; GM cant fix it. 5.Heated seats dont function properly. 6.Poor radio reception. 7.Rear power sliding window motor constantly breaking. 8.Thin spots on the paint. 9.Loose column shifter. I will never purchase another GM product again.

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  Value of the Century - SUV Killer! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By skibumaxx - January 21 - 6:36 am

  It holds a ton of stuff and has amazing room in the back. I love the power, but the in- town mileage is not so hot. Highway mileage is outstanding for its size and capacity. I have tinted windows and they are a must or this car would be an oven in the summer. You can tell that the body is very stiff, by the way you can hear a bump more than you feel it. We looked at small SUVs but this is a far better choice. Im not crazy about the front styling but the side and rear views are unique and attractive. With 2 small kids and a big dog, its just right!