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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  Take the good with the bad - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By James in KY - July 29 - 11:46 pm

  Overall the Chevy S-10 has a solid engine with the Vortec V6. I will say I have the same problems as many others. Owned it for only a week (brand new with 53 miles) and the vanity mirror light stayed illuminated. ABS grinds. Mirror rattled loose. Tranny, clutch and catalytic converter went out at 50K. At some time still under warranty, wiper delay module went out. Now AC needs recharging every summer ($10 kit from Wal-Mart). Water pump, O2 sens., alternator, U-joints going out to be expected w/ high mileage. Check engine light stays on now with 135,700 with no other indications of mechanical problems. With regular maintenance, engine has no problem. Probably drive it until wheels fall off.

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  Great Ride, Great Mileage - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Sully - July 29 - 6:33 pm

  Traded from 98 Taurus and immediately enjoyed the spacious interior. Rode from Boston to Englewood,NJ & back on one tank of gas getting 32mpg! Handling is sweet and I was surprised at the tight turning radius. The 3.4V6 seems to have all the pep I need, especially with gas prices the way they are.

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  Performance of 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe - 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By KEVIN KILCOYNE - July 29 - 4:24 pm

  Very reliable, comfortable ride for an SUV. Smooth operation, very good transmission. Very good overall performance, satisfied owner.

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  What were they thinking? - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By P.F. - July 29 - 8:26 am

  My overall review of the car is favorable. However, the design of the dashboard is flawed. The instrument panel lighting is horrible. During daytime there is no light to view the instrument panel. You cannot read the panel easily. Also, I would think for the cost the remote access control would be a "learning" remote that remembers each respective seat setting. It goes back to neutral each time, so if you dont press your pre-set seating requirements each time, mirrors and seat have to be readjusted. Navigation system is not passenger-use friendly. You cant use it while moving, a feature that would be nice. I understand why the driver shouldnt use it while driving but what about the co-pilot?

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  Babe the blue ox - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Art Daniels - July 28 - 12:36 am

  My daughter calls it Babe because it is big and blue (like Paul Bunyans Ox). The Suburban is by far the most roomy of all other vehicles I have owned. We are a family of big people. I have three sons each over six feet tall my daughter is 59 and my wife is 511" and when we have taken road trips to Oregon and Arizona it has been very nice. It has the large 454 engine and with a few minor adjustments to the exhaust and intake I have managed to squeeze as much as 14 MPG on the highway while pulling a trailer. I know that the new trucks get much better mileage. But I just love this one so much I will most likely keep it as long as the oil reserves do not run out.

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  Good deal - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jim - July 27 - 1:41 pm

  I purchased a new sedan with manual for $7345. Deducted my GM balance of 3395. and walked out with a new vehicle for under $4000. Does it get any better than that? 35 mpg so far and fun to drive. Plus a 60,000 mile warranty. I can add air, and cruise if I desire, and CD players are available at salvage yards for under $100.

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  OK for Now - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lynley - July 27 - 12:28 pm

  I like my car, dont get me wrong. It gets great gas mileage, it was affordable, and its nice to look at. But I cant wait till I can afford more horsepower and luxury seating.

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  Why we bought the Equinox - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By LOWELL - July 27 - 11:48 am

  Compared drive with Rav4 and Ford Escape. Drives more easily than Rav4. Ford surprisingly heavy to steer. Fun to drive this heavy 5000lb machine. Initial mileage around town about 19mpg. Relatively new to me. Solid and stable, but ease of steering could possibly cause oversteering. Visibilty on right side requires use of the side mirror. Acceleration good for freeways. Does not sway like my 95 Blazer tended to do.

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  Love My Trailblazer! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Kakki - July 27 - 10:00 am

  Luv It! Great so far! Luv the smooth ride & quiet engine (except when cold). Have had 3 weeks - Bought as used vehicle - got a good deal! First tank poor mileage - 11 mpg which depressed me, but noticed all tires were low (24 lbs) - After proper inflation (32 lbs) 14 mpg/city, 21.5 hwy. (Check your tires) Didnt have use for 4W, but glad I have it -Need place to use 4W once a month to keep seals from drying, Im told!

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  Luv My LTZ - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By LTZGuy - July 27 - 10:00 am

  Very happy with my LTZ 4WD bought 2 years & 60k miles ago. Everyone loves the way the car looks, handles and the quite ride. I looked at the Mercedes, X5, 4 Runnerand the MDX. The trailblazer had the best combination of price, power and features. Zipping around town so much more fun to drive than my Yukon. The car does have a personality with its various electronic problems including electronic side mirrors (replaced 6 times now at dealer) dash board power failures, occasional tendency to try to shift into 4wd Low! on the highway at 80 mph, alarm problems. Overall ive been very happy with a car.