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 what I expected - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By tator - October 16 - 11:52 am

  I havent had the problems other S-10 owners claim to have had. Other than a leaky valve cover gasket and a warped brake rotor ( both repaired under warranty, even though my warranty was expired when I had the leaking gasket) Ive had no problems. I like the trucks gas mileage, as I average about 26 MPG. Overall Im happy with my truck. It is exactly what I expected.

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  a real solid performer - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By hd baby - October 14 - 2:00 am

  i really enjoy the 6.0 engine. it has plenty of power under any circumstance i have been able to throw at it. it has no knock. i am glad the ABS system is less touchy than in my 99 yukon. I am very impressed with the ride quality in this 3/4 ton, usually to have a large payload option you suffer in ride. not the case with this truck.

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  GOT A GOOD ONE - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By RDS - October 14 - 2:00 am

  BOUGHT THIS FOR MY WIFE AND IT`S PERFECT. GREAT LOOKS, AND FUNCTION. MPG COULD BE BETTER, BUT PLENTY OF POWER AND WHISPER QUIET MOTOR.

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  Great for the money - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Greg A - October 13 - 9:33 pm

  Compared it to the Cavilier, Malibu, Focus, and Aveo. Drives as nice as the Malibu for the money of the Focus. I use to have a 99 Prizm, and (so far) the Cobalt is holding up as well. It handles decent, gets good mileage (25.5 mix HWY/CITY), and is a very quiet ride compared to others of this size/price. I can get A-Plan on the Ford products, but still chose the Chevy. This is not a redesigned Cavilier! Much nicer. No rattles and no squeaks after 36K miles!

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  Gas mileage and off road capability - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Fred - October 13 - 12:46 pm

  Strangely enough I dont hear at all about off road capability in consumer reviews, especially when it comes to the Chevrolet Equinox. Why? Because the Equinox has no off road capability whatsoever. I felt safer in the snow in my Honda Accord. This vehicle is heavy and the all wheel drive system is not efficient. I used to drive a Subaru, and this thing his not even close. I drive all wheel drive vehicles because Im among the few who actually need it, and with the Equinox I wasted my money on a system that has no advantages over a FWD system. Gas mileage is also very disapointing. My friend has a Cherokee and burn less gas than me.

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  Impala #1 - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By susan - October 13 - 6:30 am

  Starts easily, excellent low speed pickup, great hi speed overdrive, consistent mileage (25-27). Very nice stereo/cd (easy for non pros to enjoy), quiet inside & out. Comfortable smooth ride except for one place where it vibrates from the road. Very responsive in tight places. Excellent cargo space and accessability. Good long trip car, but maybe a bit more road noise control.

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  National Lampoons Vacation - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Ed - October 11 - 10:40 am

  Do you remember National Lampoons Vacation? My truck looks like the family truckster. I traded in my Durango to get better gas mileage and thats what I am getting. As of yet no issues. She actually scoots along better then you think for a 4 banger. Although I miss having an armrest or console to throw my cell change or anything else. Shes a little sloppy when you round a corner. Other then that, I work 7 days a week and put 450 miles on every week. Plus, she looks nice being victory red and street package. I am still surprised with this truck. Keep in mind one of my techs has a 2004 with 165,000 miles already he drives everyday and all day. Except for oil changes never skipped a beat.

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  Better Look Closely - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By taw - October 9 - 10:00 am

  The ride is good, the 6-cyl has power and quickness, even in the mountains, and I have found it to handle well. There is only one usefull cup holder in the front. The cup holders in back are awkward, and cannot be used with a third person in the seat, or with any cargo. There is almost no storage behind the third seat. When the third seat is in the down position you do not have a nice smooth storage area as in the normal Blazer. Gas mileage is 14 and 19---at $ 1.75/ gal that is not good. In addition, I have been back for repairs 4 times in three months, all covered under warranty---but...

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  Everything but mileage - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By fisherman - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Drives good,good visibility, confortable, no too high so runing boards are not needed. I bought it to pull my bass boat and drive to work. I pull my 18 bass boat with no problems. Power is great and no spinning pulling out of the ramp like my chevy c1500 two wheel drive pickup did. I dont even have to put it in 4 wheel drive. Gas millage sucks, two trips to the lake during a tank of gas and millage drops to 14 mpg. If I dont pull my boat I will get 17-18.

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  TRANSMISSION TROUBLE - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By TERRY - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS TRUCK SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM LINDSAY CHEVY,DUMFRIES VA. IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 25 OF THE FIRST 30 DAYS THAT I OWNED IT. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THEY COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, SO THEY PUT IN A NEW TRANNY. BEEN BACK SEVERAL TIMES WITH IT. SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. SO THEY HAVE IT NOW MAYBE A NEW TRANNY AGAIN. SO GOOD LUCK