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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  The Underestimated Lumina Z34 - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Z34Lumina - July 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had so much fun being the owner of this vehicle.

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  6 Months - Perfect So Far - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Sluff_ma - July 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had my blazer for 6 months now, and I have no problems. It has been perfect. Love this car. If I was in a car accident tomorrow and had to buy another car, I would buy another 2000 Blazer.

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  Trailblazer????? - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By kellimojo - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 2 of these Blazers. The first one was a 1999 and had to let go back with my ex husband because of a divorce. I now own a 2003. I love these vehichles. I cant believe Chevrolet wants me to pick, when it is time to trade, on a boxy, overpriced TrailBlazer or the inferior and ugly Tracker. I looked at the TrailBlazer and I could not believe the price tag on this thing. I usually trade every 2to4 years and am a die hard Chevy buyer. I have owned 5 S-10s. From what I have seen, the Jeep Liberty will be my next pick.

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  My first car is a dream come true - 1991 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Mikey likes it - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I pulled $2000 together and purchased a torch red 1991 Chevy Lumina Z34. For a car 12 years old and with some 134K miles on it, it still performs with more stamina than I wouldve ever expected of it, and its stylish good looks turn my familys/friends/co- workers heads in a way that makes me think I got the better end of the deal. But I didnt just buy it for those amicable qualities--I was looking for reliability. Something to get me to school, work, and then back home when the day was through (did I mention I live in Minnesota where we have below freezing weather 3 months of the year?) I definately got that, too.

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  Great Buy! - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By Schumacher - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Purchased because of our large family. Needed a vehicle that would hold 8 passengers with no problem. Our van has seen many ball fields & vacations. Weve only had a few problems with it. Alternator & fuel pump. We have over 190,000 miles on our van it still runs like the day we bought it. It still averages them same gas mileage now as it did then. This was a great purchase!

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  It has been a good vehicle - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By mgates - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought new,still like its looks not big,dark back windows,nice wheels. Excellent paint,red/tan leather,attractive.ERG valve problems twice.Freeze plug leaked coolant.Replaced the fuel pump.The brakes have fadded several times after alot of stopping with a full load of people.Bigger brakes are needed. The ride is much better than an Explorer or other SUVs available in 95. I like the tail gate. Good for sitting on to put on golf shoes,carrying long items. It has excellent capicity in the rear for tennis bags, golf bags, building materials, gardening materials. Since narrow 68", it fits in smaller garages and parking spaces.

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  smooth ride? - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By big brad - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This has really been the best car i have ever owned.For the first 6 months i had absolutly no problems w/ it. But then stuff started to wear. I had the hole front steering done, then the intake manifold gasket,followed buy shocks and then the timing chain and valve cover gaskets..But since i did all the work myself instead of spending over $1250 i spent just under $350

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  best bang for the buck!!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By joseph ciaccio - July 8 - 2:00 am

  good pick up a firm ride

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  So-So - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By William - July 8 - 1:46 am

  Gas mileage is only 18-20 miles per gallon. The electric steering is terrible. Its like driving a bus when you go to turn. Turning radius much too wide. Fixed mast antenna is cheap plastic. Do not take the car thru an automatic car wash with the antenna on, regardless of what the owners manual says. Needs a larger engine. Rear headrests are too large and block your vision. They should be half the size they are. Window controls on console take some getting used to.

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  ...at least its a real pretty red... - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tahorican - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Blazer when my 91 Beretta died last March. Three weeks after I bought it driving on I-80 from Sacramento to Tahoe it starts smoking. We pull over, open the hood, & tranny fluid had leaked, overheated and ignited in the manifold. We have it fixed. Shouldve returned it (dumb!). Two weeks ago the tranny starts slipping, and the truck shakes when brakes are applied. Back in the shop. Tranny & brakes are done. It has 27k miles. Shouldve just fixed my Beretta & kept it, at least it was paid for. Gave me a lot let headaches in the 8 years I had it than this stupid thing. Or I shouldve bought a new 4 Runner.