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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  2004 Corvette - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Suzanna - July 21 - 2:00 am

  These are the funnest cars to drive, bar none! This is the 3rd Ive owned and they only get better with each year. I think they could offer higher horsepower... though Im not complaining much. Handling is what a Corvette is all about - unmatched.

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  COMPLETLY SATISFIED - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By danielnparis - July 21 - 2:00 am

  iv owned 16 cars in my life n never had anything like it

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  Silverado 2500Hd w/Duramax and Allison - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By edwrecks - July 21 - 2:00 am

  2500Hd w/Duramax and Allison transmission is the most reliable and sensible combination for a working truck. If you want trouble-free dependability with power and engine assisted braking for safety and complete control of your vehicle when hauling heavy loads... Theres nothing better. Dont pass up this pricey drive combination for glitzy interiors that dont get the real job done, Its a "Winner" with a Capital "W".

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  Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rod sou - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Drive smooth Interior design needs some improvements

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  A joy to drive - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By vetta - July 21 - 2:00 am

  As an ex-Tahoe owner I really like this Trailblazer. I felt the Tahoe was way over priced so I took a look at the Trailblazer. In my 3rd week of ownership and love it more and more every day. The ride is wonderful and the engine is very powerful. The inside is very quiet. The only thing I dont like is the seats. There is no support on the sides and they sit kind of high and are not very soft. Other than that this was a very good choice.

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  An excellent vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Stan Adler - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is the best truck I have owned. It is fun reliable and has excellent cargo space that is easy to axcess. I have four grandchildren and it is easy to transport them safely. The system to anchor childrens car seats is excellent. I have found the the handling to be very good. Four wheel drive is excellent in snow. Smooth ride is easy on my wifes back.

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  LOVING THE CHEV - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BRYAN - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely love the truck! Had a 99 silverado before, this one out-performs it without a doubt!

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  2002 Impala LS - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Frank - July 20 - 8:39 pm

  This is probably the best GM car I have ever owned and I have been buying them for 52 years. Excellent highway car, comfortable, tracks well, good response to the accelerator and is fun to drive.The car is also good on city driving trips, easy parking. Good fuel economy and very low maintenance costs. Only negative is wind noise on interstate roads.

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  My Blue ZO6 - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By My 5thvette - July 20 - 1:02 pm

  This car is one of the best beasts on the road. It rides like a Cadillac, but runs like a Ferrari. GMC -Chevrolet you guys have done a great job. The car runs, and runs. Handle great around the turns.

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  You really need to drive one of these! - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Brian - July 20 - 11:26 am

  I have owned every kind of vehicle from a Hyundai Excel to a Ford F150 and everything in between. Aside from my Honda Accord, this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. Smooth. Pretty quiet, but the mirrors do make some noise. I like the way the controls are set up other than the wiper control and cruise control stalk. Why does GM insist on the same control stalk I had on my 1984 Fiero? On a $30k+ truck? Fuel mileage quite good considering this truck weighs more than my F150 ext. cab 4x4 (!!). Its sharp, relatively refined and very comfortable. I would buy another one without question, and would recommend anyone shopping SUVs gives this truck legitmate consideration.