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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  Good bang for your dollar - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Styling - May 28 - 11:20 am

  I have been looking to buy a car for about 6 months and was getting set to buy a Mazda3. But then I saw the Cobalt and I fell in love with it. I found the Cobalt and the Mazda3 were pretty much the same car but with the Cobalt ranging anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 cheaper..Ill take that any day of the week. It has nice pick up and easy handling. The style is very nice and pleasing to look act.

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  Awesome truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Keith - May 26 - 6:56 am

  Great truck all around. Z71 Crew 3.5L I5 with 3.73 gears is good on gas and has good acceleration. Good interior room. Nicest riding midsize pickup on the market. Best looking pickup on the Market.

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  I am never buying a chevy again - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dyma82 - May 25 - 3:03 pm

  I had a Tundra before, so I got used to the Japanese fine finish. This truck interior is falling apart and it only has 5,000 miles. The 4x4 electronic switch is very unreliable. More often than not it doesnÂ’t disengage the 4x4 even though it shows 2x2. Fuel efficiency is the worse. Visibility is horrible. Big hood for no reason at all, just to look tough. Engine lifters make a horrible sound 3 out of 5 times when starting the truck in the morning.

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  i love my yellow cavi - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By chelle - May 24 - 10:00 am

  loved it the min i saw it. had to buy it!!! lots of looks in it. but its becoming too common now. i was first in my town to have one, now there are 25 yellow cavis :( one problem: window trim is warping in back and its under warrenty and they wont fix it. no other problems :)

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  Dissatisfaction - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By NortonP - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Loved my truck until ~45000 miles. Apparently not built like a rock & dont love it anymore. First, replaced fuel pump & then when I went to get my first inspection sticker after the manufacturers one expired, it failed because of the rear parking brake shoes being worn. Living in Texas, I have never used the parking brake. Chevy customer service said that it was normal wear and tear & not a defect even though there is a bulletin on the problem. Chevys customer service is terrible so if buying a Chevy, better buy an extended warranty or have deep pockets. After the experience with Chevrolets customer service, will never buy another GM product.

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  Trailblazer EXT - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dacker33 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I needed a seven passenger vehicle that could tow a small trailer. I looked at all the available mid-size SUVs and the Trailblazer EXT met all the requirements. It has true seven passenger seating. The third row seat will easily accomodate two large men. The engine is smooth and powerful with decent mileage. I get a true 15 mpg around town which is a mix of residental streets and small highways. The Trailblazer comes equipped to tow. A class III receiver, 7 pin wiring connector and a transmission cooler are standard equipment. I am unable to find any problems that would require dealer attention. I am very pleased with the Trailblazer EXT.

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  Love the Trailblazer EXT - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Coach - May 23 - 3:46 pm

  This is a great vehicle. The family has made four round-trips from NY to FL in this vehicle. Comfortable seats. Handles great. The kids love the DVD and the third row seating. This vehicle loves the open highway! As far as fuel economy, well its an SUV...what do you expect? In my opionion, this is a great vehicle. Would definitely purchase another.

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  Cool - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ron Jackson - May 23 - 9:16 am

  I purchased my Silverado in Jun 2009, I upgraded from the Chevy Avalanche, yes upgraded. The Silverado is smooth, and cool. Fun to drive, handles like a car, moves like a Truck and this vehicle demands attention. The 20 Inch Tires, sleek Rims, Black with Silver Trim. I have also added the chrome light covers and some chrome to the tail gate. Looks very nice. This vehicle gets up and go. Very quiet. Bottom Line, Love it. Love the Active Fuel Management.

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  Vernal Equinox - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By DCMX - May 23 - 1:23 am

  So far so good. This is whisper quite vehicle that is very comfortable with the sliding second row. The new design is great with all that extra sound insulation you get a very quite vehicle that glides over the road. I assume their will be the GM " haters" but if this was badged AUDI, VW, Infinti etc. people would drool over it. Some styling cues lifted from the MB 350 ML, but hey a lot cars do that and it is somewhat flattering. Build quality seems to be very good with small panel gaps and nice interior (if a little too much plastic) I would recommend this to any one who want great gas mileage with mid size CUV size this is.

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  A base car for the commuter minded - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Stratford - May 22 - 6:46 pm

  The cabin is well thought out, and is roomy for an econobox, the controls easy to read and use, but pedals are too close to each other, and too small. Seats are roomy and have good side bolster, and are also height adjustable. The rear seats are high and ok for kids. Performance is what can be expected for 103 horses, but more than adequate for on ramps to the interstate. The trunk is plenty roomy and rear seats fold down. Style wise...well who cares this car is for commuting, and economy which in the city is about 30, and 40 mpg on the hwy. The Aveo is an economy car, and doesnÂ’t pretend to be anything but. Smart car, great in traffic, and at the gas pump. I got a new 04 with air, for $8300.