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:

• 

  Favorite SUV So Far - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bobkat38 - January 5 - 10:00 am

  Weve been thrilled with everything but the gas mileage. We traded in a 2000 2 dr. Blazer LS with a six cylinder engine, and this larger car handles much better than that one did. It has that right on the road "small" car handling feel despite its size and truck status. I doubt well trade this one in, its a keeper.

• 

  Flexibility Par Excellence! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By USN - January 5 - 10:00 am

  We have owned our Equinox for 40 days,and approximately 1,000 miles. It is by far the vehicle with the most flexible interior that I have ever owned, (35 in all- Im not a 30 something guy!) The seating is very comfortable, and with the combination of the front buckets, and the large rear seat with back tilt and fore/aft adjustment,you can configure the vehicle for anything. The rear leg room for example is greater than a Ford Expedition. It has a longer wheelbase than almost all midsized SUVs, with 9 inches of ground clearance. The numerous storage configurations are remarkable, a tailgaters dream!

• 

  Nox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Nox - January 5 - 10:00 am

  A great ride for the money

• 

  Get a Gold one! - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By bdr - January 5 - 10:00 am

  I love my Trailblazer! I have driven Tahoes for the last 9 years, and the Trailblazer compares nicely. The ride is smooth - and as with most SUVs the gas mileage could be better. The console is a bit small - especially if you carry "drinkers". The middle cup holder is the only one that is practical. The rear seats fold down with ease - and the cargo space is great! This is a great vehicle!

• 

  Oh Yes - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By Aaron - January 4 - 5:28 pm

  I bought this S-10 thinking it was old and a pretty cruddy truck. I looked at the odometer and it only had 40,196 original miles on it. I love this truck. It has no rust, no scratches, and no dents or dings. It was taken care of. I continue to do the same. It has alloy rims and a 5 speed manual transmission. I have the 2.2L straight 4 engine in the truck. I have made some upgrades to the engine and boosted the horsepower tremendesly.

• 

  Awesome! - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By floyds - January 4 - 10:30 am

  This truck meets a happy medium. We needed a truck to tow our camper but I still wanted to travel in comfort. This is that and more. I love the USB port for my Ipod. We got leather seats since we are using it mainly to camp, go to races and baseball games. I love the dual control A/C. My husband always freezes me. This solves that problem. I love the DIC. I love watching the fuel management kick in to V4. I know Im saving money. We have about 500 miles on it so far. The fuel mileage started out low but since it has started to get broken in, I got 20.5 on my way to work. That is right on target with what it states it will get. Very comfortable ride/drive. Had to get step boards to climb in.

• 

  TrailBlazer Redux - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By richgimmel - January 4 - 7:14 am

  This is my second TrailBlazer. My first was an 06 that I gave up without a single problem after 70,000 miles. GM was discounting the new 08 models so heavily I had to buy one. This is a very well-built vehicle. Naturally, GM decided to shut down the plant that makes them.

• 

  A Solid Performer - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By richgimmel - January 4 - 7:07 am

  I kept this car for three years and put 70k miles on it. Never had a single problem with anything on it. This is a very well-built vehicle. So much so, that my replacement for it was another TrailBlazer, a new 08 that GM had heavily discounted.

• 

  2008 HHR LT - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Big Dog - January 3 - 11:58 pm

  Since Purchase have put 8K on with no issues at all. 2LT Pkg great and radio with upgraded speakers is very good. Car comfortable but I will never get used to the window buttons in the middle console! 17 inch tires great on dry pavement/wet but snow is so-so. Well satistfied so far!

• 

  Best Vett Yet - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Robert - January 3 - 8:20 pm

  I have owned Corvettes since my first in 1974. I bought it new upon my return from Vietnam. I traded my 2004 in on this one and it is by far the best one I have owned. My next one may be the new ZR1 that just came out, but I am not sure.