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 rig - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By John winden - October 19 - 4:02 pm

  We’ve had very few issues with our Trailblazer. We bought it new, it’s now pushing 140,000 miles and it’s my wife’s car. It has met our need wonderfully and has never let us down. It pulled our trailer all over and other than a bit lacking in power in the mountains, it is just a 6 cyl., it performed flawlessly. It’s ability to navigate off road and in bad weather is second to none. It is the go to rig in the snow, better than my 4x4 pickup. I would buy another in a second.

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  92 stepside - 1992 Chevrolet C/K 1500
  By Joe Linnemann - August 31 - 12:43 pm

  Very durable built truck...over 225,000 miles on the original drivetrain now. (4.3 V6 and speed manual) doesnt leak any fluids, still great ride quality too. Other than basic maintenance, its had a new clutch and new fuel pump.

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  Love it! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Brittnee - May 15 - 4:16 pm

  This SUV was passed down from my grandmother to my uncle and now to me. 2003, 146,000 miles and every thing works like new! I’m an going to ride it until the wheels fall off then I am going to look into the new Chevy Blazer!

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  Economy - 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Elizabeth - January 25 - 8:51 am

  This has always been the most economic and classic car i have ever seen.

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  Keeper - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Edward Hooks - December 5 - 12:11 am

  I added a K&N air filter system and dual exhust soon after purchase. I started using Kendal oil additive after 40 thousand. 270 thousand miles on it and the motor still has the power as it did from day one. The transmission however is a different story. On my second heading for a third very soon. Other than a few minor problems, stereo speakers, door handle opening issues, it’s about par for the miles and age. Except for the transmissions. The a/c still works!

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  Wonderful - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado
  By Larry E Cox - November 19 - 11:56 am

  I bought a 2002 Chevy 1500 4wd used. I have had it 6yrs. It has almost new 5.3 engine. Had to replace engine about 1and a half yrs ago. Replaced engine from Powertrain in Michigan. I live in Dalton, Georgia. Just got back off a 7,493 mile trip pulling my 30ft Camper. Put that Chevy where most people wouldnt tread. Went to alot of Places on the West Coast. Went thru Death Valley. Believe it or not but that Chevy pulled those 6,000ft mtns with very little strain. I know i have a tramission cooler on it. Never would have made it without one. Oil level only dropped a pint. Added a pint of Seafoam to the Crankcase in W.Monroe,Louisiana. Still right on the full mark when I got home. No way would i part with it,but i wish i could afford a new Chevy Silverado!

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  Badass little truck - 2000 Chevrolet S10
  By Taylor - October 12 - 9:03 pm

  I have a 2000 S10 with the 4.3 quick little truck Ive also beat on it a little bit it takes it and does everything I have needed it to do I love this truck will definitely get another one

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  Family of Trackers - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Maggie - August 21 - 5:19 pm

  Ive had my 1st Tracker for 13 years. Its got almost 200k miles. Still running strong. My husband then got a Tracker because I loved mine so much. His has more than 200k. I have been iliterally in snow storms where snow plows have gone off the road but not my "go-caet". Will go through any weather!! I tell people all the time they stopped making them because theyre so great!

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  GM only for us - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic 2500HD
  By Ed Burden - April 9 - 6:49 am

  Bought my 07 2500HD Duramax new in September of 06. Just rolled over 230,000 miles. I replaced the rear transfer case housing a little over a year ago because the pump had worn a spot in it. It has had an alternator, 1 CV shaft and a wheel bearing changed out. This truck has been used. I towed heavy trailers with used oilfield pipe on it the first 4 years I owned it and then drove it for about a year when I was contract pumping wells. Only reason I’m fixing to get rid of it is because I don’t need the heavy duty 3/4 ton truck anymore and they are offering me almost a 1/4 of what I gave for it on trade in. Truck has basically cost me 2000.00 a year to drive it these past 11 1/2 years.

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  Our 05 Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Ray Plaag - February 22 - 7:29 pm

  I see some of the complaints about the trailblazer...Mostly from people who bought them used...You never how they were broke in and taken care of..We bought ours new and took reasonable care of it over the years ...Best truck I ever owned!.and the 4 wheel drive is awesome.!.We have newer vehicles but I wouldnt trade the ole gal in with 256 thousand miles on it ..They wont give me anything for it anyway..a few issues for sure ..two fuel pumps two water pumps...struts,brakes stuff like that...IOur kids when they were young nicknamed it the fun mobile ..:) ...They are grown up now with there own lives....My point being ...We will just keep..her...she has a few little quirks but its 13 years old...and still dependable ...