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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  SSR lovers - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By hotdhs - January 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought a Tundra pickup 2 months ago and I bought a SSR today. Not because I need another car but because I need a SSR. Driving home 120 miles after purchase probably cured all my adult onset ds. Not for everyone, may be great for business promotional campaign. Wait patiently until you find a dealer who will sell it to you for MSRP or less. Too many gouging dealers out there.

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  My ZR2 - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By nnaylor - January 9 - 2:00 am

  Great looking, strong engine, and I love the fact that its not a grocery- getter urban SUV. Its the real deal. Real 4x4, ground clearence, 2 door, 5 speed manual...not a family vehicle, but a perfect vehicle for the 20-something single outdoor enthusiast. Good performance on and off road. HOWEVER...atrocious interior build quality, possibly the worst Ive ever seen. No wonder so many people buy Japanese

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  Poor Mans Lexus SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Pesky Eskie - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Picked my Equinox up yesterday (7/13/04)...Fell in love with it when I first laid eyes on it.When I test drove it I couldnt believe the steering responsiveness and the ride smoothness.Havent had it long but so far I just love it.Time will tell about the reliability aspect but my initial feeling is that it is a well designed vehicle at a great value!

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  The Big Truck Keeps Rolling - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By DT - January 8 - 2:00 am

  If your looking for a people over and a cargo hauler this is the truck for you. Performace is great and I cant get over the Gas Milage for such a big truck. 12 City / 16.0 HWY Totaly Awesome!

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  VERY HAPPY OWNER - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mccdon - January 7 - 9:43 pm

  I bought this truck mainly to haul people in comfort, and occasionally loads of gravel, bark, or building material. The comfort is outstanding. The front seats are luxurious. Rear seat room is adequate for large adults. The build feels solid. Fuel economy appears to be near EPA estimates based on the Driver Information Center (DIC) I got 20 MPG coming home from the dealer-about 60 miles. I cant tell when the truck shifts between 4 and 8 cylinders unless I am watching on the DIC. There are many personalized settings to be made on the DIC. The dual zone climate control works great. Very happy!

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  First impressions! - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By r - January 7 - 6:46 am

  Gets attention from the public. Good performance. Wheels compliment car. Only driven a few days. easy to get in and out of.

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  a - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By David Mitchell - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Drives great, quiet ride. I have not had any problems with the vehicle.

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  A good car for the money - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By KMadhouse - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought my cavalier with 110k miles on it in 2001, I have 140k on it now and have been pretty happy with it. The water pump seems to go on these between 105k and 115k, so watch out for that. Backseats kinda small, hard to get things in and out of. I replaced the transmission at about 130k, which was a pain. Still has some pickup despite the mileage, but the 4-speed automatics are a bit punchier. The paint job on it has held up really well, it still looks fairly new. Overall, its a nice little flashy, pretty dependable car. Id get another newer one.

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  Great Offroad/Average Onroad - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Kurt Jenkins - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Excellent off the pavement. The lockup rear differential is a nice touch. Goes great on snow and ice, as well as mud. Good low end power for off road or towing at average hiway speeds. Top end is a little week, but will do in most cases. On the road, its a bit average. Handles ok, nothing to bragg about. Some body roll. Mileage is average, for a large V6 4WD, at 15mpg or better in town. Style is good. The ZR2 anyway. Interior is comfortable for anyone under 61". Build quality could be better. Mostly solid except for some interior parts. Overall Id give it a 7.5 rating. Mainly for its 4WD capabilities.

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  ZR2 BLAZER - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By James R. Larsen - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I have two of these Blazers, the other is a 1997. I just love these trucks because of their power and looks, and the amount of after market upgrades that are available. Gas mileage may not be very competitive, but Ill take the power over gas mileage any day.