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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  Trailblazing with a Trailblazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By William Phillips - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Took the new Trtailblazer on a 6000 mile trip from California through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It was very comfortable driving 600 to 800 miles a day. Did not feel exhausted after spending that much time driving. Fuel economy was very good on the highway, but dropped off somewhat in city driving. The in line six engine ran very smooth and it was a pleasure to drive.

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  Best SUV on the Planet!! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By richohaa - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 1997 Tahoe for a 2003 model. What a truck!! The LT model has every amenity on the planet! It is the most comfortable, best handling, and sleekest looking SUV anywhere. Dont even bother looking at another SUV...The Tahoe is simply the best. RAS

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  Like a Rock......... - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Deebo - September 8 - 10:00 am

  My favorite all-time vehicle! Rates a solid 9. SAFE, Neck snapping off-line performance, weighs over 2 1/2 tons yet gets 17mpg, brakes compare with ANYTHING, awd is outstanding in any weather, trailers like a diesel, great Bose sound system, etc., etc., etc. Anyone who complains should be in a car.....period!

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  My HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By sylvia - September 7 - 1:30 am

  I love my car. Its really a nice driving car with good gas mileage. Its like a car and a truck together. I would recommend it to anybody.

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  Good truck - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By T-Blazer owner - September 6 - 10:35 pm

  The TrailBlazer is a good alternative to a crew cab pickup truck. It is a solid off roader, good tow vehicle, and can be had at a good price. The locking differential is a must for any towing or off roading, as is the skidplate. The TrailBlazer doesnt drive as good as a Highlander or Pilot, but they cant tow what a TrailBlazer can. Nor can they match its truck-like capability. The roof rack is functional and sturdy, and holds my kayak and supplies (300 lbs) easily. Mileage is decent (22ish highway, 17 around town). If you worry about fuel, then buy a crossover. The tight turning circle really makes it easier to park than my Mazda 6. Bargain hard!

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  Capable sport sedan - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jeff - September 6 - 9:31 pm

  In 5 years of ownership I have not had a single issue regarding drivabiliy or dependablity. For $25,000, a car with a good deal of ammenities. All the ones youd expect, with the additon of full leather, and the added bonus of a sport suspension. Had driven the non-LS version as a rental, and really liked what Chevrolet did to punch up basically a family sedan.

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  Great little car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By dunnr - September 6 - 8:23 pm

  This is a great little car if you are not looking to spend a fortune, but want to get plenty of options. This car has all the options you could get in 2003 except a sunroof.

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  One year mark - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Andy - September 6 - 3:43 pm

  I bought the car a little over a year ago, and have enjoyed every second of it. It gets up and goes without breaking a sweat, and the full leather interior is very comfortable. I havnt had one problem, except my sunroof is a bit noisy when it opens and closes. The car is fairly easy to modify, and with the aftermarket starting to pick up for them, there should be more and more running in the 13s.

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  Off to a good start - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By john - September 6 - 10:00 am

  i purchased the duramax/allison option due to the fact that i own an 11,000 camper. Ford and Dodge were on my list but the duramax reputation led me to this purchase. The build quality seems excellent and you can hardly hear the engine. The interior though somewhat dated is still a nice place to be, though interior storage space is lacking. Overall I feel that this purchase is going to provide many years of quality service for myself and my family. Base stereo, though nice, seems a little weak, I am getting vibrations in the plastic cover over the rear speaker

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  Great SS - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mark - September 6 - 12:29 am

  Im really enjoying my TrailBlazer SS. If you have owned a previous TrailBlazer, I promise your experience was nothing like the SS. It looks, rides and drives like a totally different vehicle. I drive mine daily, and hate when I have to get out. Fuel economy is about like that of a 1/2 ton truck and the power is awesome.