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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  wish i could drive it - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By david mcdermott - March 23 - 1:45 am

  well so far ive had my trailblazer almost a month and ive gotten to drive it for two weeks of it. only 500 miles on it and already in shop 3 times for check engine light comming on. first couple times they thought it may be a gas cap, now its been in shop for several days for same thing however now its because a bad sensor that they had to pull gas tank to get to. hopefully that fixes it, thank god for 36,000 mile warranty, after its over come talk to me if you want a 08 trailblazer for cheap as is. anyway, i like my rental car

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  Awesome car! - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By JBaz - March 22 - 8:40 pm

  I bought my 97 Lumina, two years ago at 160,000 miles! It still runs today, and Im at almost 203,000 miles. The only problems I have had was the alternator needing to be replaced. Other than that, my car still has pick-up for having the mileage it does. Its definitely a great car, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

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  Please Reconsider This Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ballyclassic - March 22 - 7:28 pm

  Purchased new in 2005 and it has been a long road with repairs. I finally feel at 4,000 in out of pocket repairs Im at the end for reliability. Several electrical problems (Not covered) fuel system problems, I dont have enough space to comment. Please reconsider this vehicle it is very poor on mpg 14-15 overall and horrible in the snow or wet roads. If you live in a perfect climate than this is for you. One rainy day, snow covered road or ice and you will be trading it in. I have been a GM owner for years but sorry to say I will not be a supporter in the future.

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  Doors are a Warning! - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Mark Colbert - March 22 - 4:43 pm

  My wife and I love our Tracker. It had a cracked hub when we first bought the vehicle. The dealerships(3) in this area kept putting the car on the computer to find out why it would just stop while driving down the road in gear. We finally took it to someone outside the dealerships, He would not let us drive it for fear the brakes would catch on the crack and flip the vehicle. We argued and finally got paid by Chevy. Now the door handles, the inside are faulty and will not hold up to normal wear and tear. The outside are absolutely no good if you get a little ice on them. They will break off easily. Ours did and at $90.00 we have to wait and save for this. Inside handles dome twice.

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  GREAT TRANSPORTATION AT A GREAT VALUE! - 2013 Chevrolet Captiva Sport
  By EDM - March 22 - 12:56 pm

  The 2013 Captiva I own is an LT. I have loved driving this little SUV. It is quiet, get great gas mileage and is just fun to drive. The rear seats fold down flat which affords plenty of cargo space. The gages are easy to see and the cruse control is the best I have ever used. My LT also has radio controls on the steering wheel which keeps eyes on the road. Good looking and FUN to own.

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  Rotors need replaced at 31,831 - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sue - March 22 - 11:30 am

  Car was serviced Nov 10 2008, winter tires, oil change and general check, everything including brake pads were ok. Returned vehicle March 2009 to change tires back to summer and have oil changed, I have now been told that rotors are so bad that they are dangerous, replacement cost of $325.00/axel. I am a city driver, I drive with 1 foot and my pads were fine just 4 months agoit wasnt even suggested that the pads be changed. Ive not had any squealing, pulling or shaking, so I have to wonder...? I drove my last car for 14 years and only had to change the brake pads. Are GM parts of such poor quality? Rotors are not covered under GMPP total plus, even obviously faulty ones. Unacceptable

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  if I could do it over, might not buy - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Angela - March 22 - 11:12 am

  Okay, if you have two kids then you need a larger vehicle. The trunk is deep but not high enough to get a double stroller in and out and it takes up half of the trunk. In fact you cant get much in due to the height of the trunk :( The shiny trim blinds you when the sun hits it. The mileage has not been great and have never got more than 26 mpg. As far as the paint job, its poor! I have several factory runs. Chevrolet let that one slip through the factory. Are they sleeping on the job?

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  good car - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By ken swope - March 22 - 10:00 am

  would buy another one

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  I Love My New Toy!! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MsTeacher - March 22 - 10:00 am

  I really love my new Trailblazer. It has all the luxuries and comfort of home!

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  bad bow-tie - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mac daddy - March 22 - 10:00 am

  This truck is built for fun. The lightning will not come out with 500 ponies, it will back to the 380-390hp or what ever it is. Supercharger on a chevy and see what the numbers say. The short wheel base model for next year with a supercharger will blow a lightning out of the water, just watch and see. The 500 ponies on the ford is a concept, and we all know how concepts work. Ford is scared to produce a truck with 500 ponies, watch and see, it will be back to the small 5.4 and that little supercharger.