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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  Great SUV - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Javier - March 20 - 12:43 pm

  I just purchased the traverse very happy with it.. After looking at Chevy Tahoe then looking at the traverse their was no comparing.. Traverse is very roomy it has a lot more space then the Tahoe especially it the third row... The only negative is probably I thought it was just a little to pricey.

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  Awesome Truck - 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By TXGREEK - March 20 - 12:24 am

  Traded in my 2014 LTZ z71 for big brother for reasons: Safety, fuel savings on highway, awesome pulling power, build quality, ergonomics, and great fun driving it. In addition to all these attributes I love buying the last model year cause you know youve gotten everything working properly after its been out multiple years. Ill be interested in the newer one once everyone else has been used as Guinea pigs working out the glitches of the newer ram air version lol. Overall, this is a high quality badass truck!

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  Impala LS - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By ddumby - March 18 - 11:56 pm

  Still has new car feel 8 months later. Steering is sharp and ride is smooth. Extremely comfortable car to drive or ride in for long trips. Mid priced with a luxury feel.

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  Equinox 05 - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MVO - March 18 - 2:06 pm

  I have only had this vehicle for one week and so far my only and greatest disappointment is the fuel economy. My old 87 with over 300k miles got better gas mileage than my new car! It falls below the advertised 19 MPG average. Im lucky if I get 14 MPG. I do love how it handles and the spaciousness for the passengers.

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  Unexpectedly delighted - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Kath & Mike - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I used to be a Toyota-only driver. Then I purchased a Chevy Suburban about a year ago. I noticed the TrailBlazer EXT at the time, which I recently purchased for my family. I appreciate its power and its simplicity. Its fun to drive with plenty of room inside. From a value standpoint, theres really no comparison. With all the GM incentives, I estimate I purchased the TrailBlazer EXT for about 60% of the cost of a similarly equipped Highlander. Thats serious money. The interior may not be as refined, but its a better-looking vehicle on the outside, more powerful, and an outstanding value.

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  TRAILBALZER EXT LT - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By RAG67 - March 18 - 10:00 am

  BUILD QUALITY SEEMS TO BE EXCELLENT. I AM A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE 5.3 V-8. I ALSO AM LUKE WARM ABOUT THE WAY THE VEHICLE SITS UP IN THE REAR. SEATING FOR 6 IS TIGHT BUT ACCEPTABLE. SEATING FOR 7 IS A STRETCH.

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  Love this truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bike Mike - March 18 - 10:00 am

  This truck has been great! So far, 70,000 trouble free miles. Ride and handling are great for a truck. My only complaint was with the stock tires- it should be illegal to put such poor (traction B) tires on a vehicle this heavy- yes, I rear ended somebody- first time in over 30 yrs of driving. With premium tires truck stops and corners great. I did have to go to aftermarket rims because the stock ones were too skinny.

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  BLAH! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tahoe is bad - March 18 - 10:00 am

  We bought a brand new white chevy z71. It listed for 47,992 with the options we put in it. It is one of the most horrible cars, seriously. You feel like your driving a 10,000.00 car from the inside. EVERYTHING on the dash and center console is plastic, and to top it all off there is horendiously cheap looking vinyl on the backs of the seat. It cruises well on the highway at aroud 70 but taking turns at 30 off exits is scary. Lately i have been hearing a esterior wistle and i dont know what it is...but i cant wait for a month to replace it with the new range rover.

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  Duramax is awesome - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By dmax fan - March 18 - 10:00 am

  With the dmax/allison combo is by far the best truck out there. Excellent fuel economy and absolutely no problems. Fun, fast and comfortable truck to drive. A real head turner and performs like a race car. Awesome.

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  Trailblazer rocks! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Squidman - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Smooth ride---DECENT gas mileage when comparing with other mid-zized 6cy SUVs. Dated interior, however-BUT comfortable. FAST-can certainly get out of its own way. Nice styling-I believe its identical to the ENVOY. Go for it.