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:

• 

  New dog mobile - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Dog Lady - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I was a faithful Expedition owner and went to them first when it was time for a new ride. The cost, the new interior changed my mind. This TrailBlazer has style .. it is not a minivan and it responds when you need it to.

• 

  Family fun wagon - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Scott at Water - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Im happy with this suv.The front seats could be more supportive,maybe similar to the full size truck.Its the right size but I think a 5.3 V8 option in this short box style would suit me and my driving style better.I hate 2500- 3000 rpm revs.It handles and drives good for what it is. Fuel mileage is not what modern tech should be at with this model.Again give me 16 valves and 8 cylinders for less money than a 24 valve high winder. I would buy another for this price point its a good deal.

• 

  My Camaro - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By James - April 14 - 11:07 pm

  I bought it at 87000 miles from a widow who had it in a barn with the rest of her husbands toys. The car is polo green met. convert. with tan leather int. and tan top. The car was in great unmolested condition for a 11 yr old car I have a 1970 Camaro with 320hp, and with 50 hp less (only 275hp) you do not feel it in the newer car. The automatic shifts great and shifts hard. The only short comings, the trip odometer died the day I bought it, the top needs to be replaced, mediocre mpg., stock speakers do not handle deep bass very well, passenger door power window is slow.

• 

  Fun Fuel Efficient Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Eric - April 14 - 9:56 pm

  Great little car. Owned for 4 months now and put 3000 miles on it. Got 25mpg in winter and now with 50 degree spring weather im up to 29.9mph according to the digital read out. The 2.2L engine gives it plenty of get up and go. Purchased the base model 2 door, with only power locks and keyless entry. Good buy for under $14,000. No mechical problems so far except a computer upgrade that was needed for the crankshaft sensor.

• 

  So so - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By the_grizz53 - April 14 - 3:40 pm

  I love the truck, but there are lots of drivetrain problems. Three recalls ,sqealing parking brake is the worst, two rear differentials, and three comeplete clutches, all in the first four months. Still a good truck all in all.

• 

  Z85 CrewCab - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By NewColy - April 12 - 12:44 pm

  I have ~15,000 miles on my 05 Crew Cab 3.5L/auto (build date 5/2005).Comfort and ride is far better. Fuel economy is excellent, summer months I get 18-20 city, 23-24.5 city, winter months are 17- 18 city, 22-23.4 hwy.,17-18 city or hwy towing a double jet-ski trailer(1300lbs total). The stock I5/auto is a little underpowered for a crewcab. The two downfalls I have encountered are fuel economy and power is diminished greatly with any tire change other than stock size and brand. There are too many TSB’s for this truck. It is literally a hit or miss purchase. I would suggest buying a vehicle built after 6/2005, if not, negotiate for the 100k extended warranty. All in all I am very happy with my purchase.

• 

  Marks Black Magic - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Mark Steed - April 12 - 3:00 am

  I had no intention on buying the SSR but once I test drove it, I was hooked! My former hot rod was a 67 Chevelle SS. It doesnt have the pull of the 396, but its just as quick in the 1/8th & its a little more fun actually with its handling. You must pay attention in turns & parking due to the pontoon fenders. Its quite the head turner & have had nothing but bad things said about it cause lets face it...Its phat! Paint & finish could be a lot better quality. It looks good with & w/o the running boards, but for $1600.00 they look good on mine. Extras are outragous, but comes w/the territory. The tops compartment bonnet rattles a little when its windy & when my speed is up. All in all its my heartskip in America

• 

  2001 Chevy Tracker - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Indy - April 11 - 3:44 pm

  Has been reliable, nice size for get around. Some hauling capabilities. Belt squeaks in wet conditions. Have had no major problems in last 5 years plan to keep 5 more years.

• 

  Very Versatile! - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Jim - April 10 - 10:50 am

  We love this multi-purpose truck! It accomodates us on our camping trips, hauling the kids bikes, and provides a very comfortable ride around town and on long distance trips. (We do have some concerns about the quality of GMs workmanship tho)

• 

  Serves Its Purpose - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By John Maddon - April 10 - 10:00 am

  This serves its purpose for me. I needed a commuter car to get me downtown, so I could stop putting 100 miles a day on my expensive full size pickup truck. Not to mention the money I was spening on gas. The Aveo more than doubled my gas mileage and thus the gas savings is covering the car payment. This has been a great second vehicle for me. Lots of room, runs smooth and quit for a small economy car and it still has lots of pep.