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 small-frame truck - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By coolbamakid - February 23 - 4:59 pm

  This is a great truck for its size. Its got enough space to fit adults in the back seat and it has a nice size bed. The engine runs well and is very reliable.

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  I am in love - 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  By Mrnrich1979 - February 22 - 5:49 pm

  I am so happy about the fact I found this car. I was shopping for a Civic when I came across this gem. Perfect little car in perfect shape. I have classmates coming up to me asking what is the new model on campus. Of course I just laugh and tell them this car is 9 years old. Did I mention it takes 9 dollars for a half tank of gas.

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  Update of Prior Review - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Katoomba - February 22 - 1:59 pm

  Here are two updates: First, I never get better than 12/15 miles per gallon city/highway. Second and more importantly, I found the first flaw on this truck. After not being able to start the truck twice because of a run- down battery, I learned from a Chevy dealer that, because of all the lights and electric accessories in the LTZ version, you need to drive 30 minutes to recharge the battery. Mind you, this is not an issue of running accessories with the engine off. This is getting in and out of the truck and perhaps opening and closing the electric rear gate before taking your five minute drive to and from the train station every weekday. After a while the battery is dead.

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  Best car Ive owned - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Greg - February 22 - 1:10 pm

  We recently replaced a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP w/ this and are very pleased. The ride is great, the fuel mileage is O.K. w/ the 8 cyl. ( 17.5 to 21.7) but we have not taken it on any trips yet. We got every option on this except the DVD player and like it all. What a pleasure to drive and to park.

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  Fun to drive! - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By ekostak - February 22 - 11:55 am

  This is a fun car to drive. It has great response in 2 and 4 wheel drive. With a decent set of tires this suv will climb anything. Its small enough to go anywhere and will turn on a dime. I would like to see a little more power and the interior could use a little upgrade. Ofcourse with a price as low as it is those things are expected. This suv is a steal for the going prices.

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  Nice tight vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Brad - February 21 - 6:20 pm

  Have enjoyed owning the Trailblazer so far, handles well, and has alot of power.

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  Buying it for the power not the mileage - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By lovemytbss - February 21 - 4:05 pm

  I have loved the TrailBlazer look since it came out, but never wanted to pay $30k for an inline 6cyl. Problem solved! I have been a Vette owner and this is a four door cargo carrying Vette. It rides great, handling is amazing, braking is very impressive, and its just the right size for this kind of power. The clean exterior with little badging is such a tasteful look. I got a 2007 fully loaded minus nav for just over $30k and the 6001 lb gvwr makes it a nice tax deduction. I know the mileage is bad but thats not why you are buying this vehicle. Buy one!

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  Great SUV! - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Lisa - February 21 - 9:49 am

  The Equinox is a fun, fuel efficient SUV. Not only does it look great, it handles well in bad weather and it has a nice weight to it. The power window switches are in the center console, which would be the only design I would change. Overall, it is a great value and I would recommend it to anyone purchasing an SUV for the first time.

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  2007 - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ron - February 20 - 5:24 pm

  Bought this 2007 as an extra car. I am really pleased with the purchase. This Chevrolet is well engineered and very quiet and comfortable. The engine torque is down low, which makes city driving enjoyable. Good value for the money in my opinion.

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  Very Nice - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Mike - February 20 - 11:14 am

  I went from a Mustange GT to my Avalanche LT and all I can say is I love it! I got the maxed out truck (even the upgraded paint) minus the luggage rack and have experinced nothing but perfection. This is my first truck and dont see how I ever managed without it. The new 07s have hit the mark with the tailgate, rims, and upgraded interrior. Very nice Chevy, very nice!