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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  1995 Camaro - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Ljlinhnl - September 2 - 2:00 am

  People still love the way this car looks! This is arguably one of the best body styles ever made on any vehicle. Why the Mustang ever outlasted or outsold the Camaro is beyond me. In Hawaii, Southern California and now Arizona, this car has been a pleasure to drive. Mostly city driving by my wife, but the car has held up extremely well. Id like to trade it for a new one, but unfortunately, there are no more Camaros. Ive rented Mustangs, and theyre not even close in quality or comfort.

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  Z85 Crew Cab - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By gregthebreeze - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I really liked this vehicle at first, but now Im starting to realize some limitations in comparison to what Im used to. Im a beach goer, and always drive on the beach. I got stuck immediately after going out, and had to be pulled back to pavement by a Dodge Ram 1500. The problem is clearance. This truck has less clearance the a Chevy Malibu (check chevy www, and youll see). This is truely a disappointment for me. Other than that, I really liked the truck.

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  2 for one - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By gKato - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Traded a 01 Tahoe Z-71 for the Avalanche. So far, I love the vehicle. More room and storage than my Tahoe, and rides better. We just packed for the weekend camp trip with a 5000lb tailer, 2 inflatables, cooking BBQ, fishing gear, bikes, tables, chairs, etc, and we still have room to spare!

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  HEAR THE WIND - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By PARAPRO125 - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I have wind noise coming through my windows. I only have 1700 miles on my trailblazer.

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  dealership - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mntjam - September 1 - 10:00 am

  the suv is wonderful it has everything you would need and more. a little disapointed in the engine they put in, 3.4 eng. bad choice. they have such great fuel effient and more powerful motors. if your going to make a new suv,,,stay out of the parts bin?????

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  Awesome car, but... - 1994 Chevrolet Impala
  By PaulyMags - September 1 - 2:00 am

  One of the biggest mistakes GM has ever done was to stop making this car. Performance wise, this SS can smoke a Mustang and any tricked-out import out there. It handles surprisingly well considering that its a big freakin car. My only problem with mine is that I have fighting with a bunch of little reliability gremlins. My car had low miles, but it seemed like it could have been maintained better. Otherwise, you cant get a better family hauler/musclecar anywhere!

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  used car - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mtblaze - September 1 - 2:00 am

  Worthy car for large famaily

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  Loving my First car - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Wbcheerguy - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Im a high school student, this car (2dr std coupe) 5-speed manual, is a great first car and is ideal for a teen like me, the car uses very little gas, can be customized easily, and reliable, i wouldnt trade my car in for anything. the car is priced low enought for a working teen to afford and the car is easy to service for regular care.

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  Relatively happy with the vehicle. - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By HowardBl - August 31 - 2:00 am

  All in all, Ive had this vehicle since late 1997, and havent had too much grief with it... It goes through an idler arm every 20K miles (Im going on #5), but thats to be expected when you get a car ride on a truck frame. Had to replace a master cylinder and torn seat leather under warranty. After warranty needed new brake booster (a pain to install, but did myself) for $200, $30 belt tensioner, new shocks all around, rotors only once and eventually will need a new fuel sending unit. Really cant complain... gave me lots of dependable service including some off- road and emergency responses.

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  2002 WB AWD Venture - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By PLH - August 31 - 2:00 am

  No problems yet. Did better than our then brand new 97 Grand Voyager. Chevy did a great job marketing this 8-seater as an excellent kiddie transporter, with the Warner Bros. bells and whistles. My kids love the van and the DVD. Overall though, a great buy.