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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  Trailblazer EXT - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dacker33 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I needed a seven passenger vehicle that could tow a small trailer. I looked at all the available mid-size SUVs and the Trailblazer EXT met all the requirements. It has true seven passenger seating. The third row seat will easily accomodate two large men. The engine is smooth and powerful with decent mileage. I get a true 15 mpg around town which is a mix of residental streets and small highways. The Trailblazer comes equipped to tow. A class III receiver, 7 pin wiring connector and a transmission cooler are standard equipment. I am unable to find any problems that would require dealer attention. I am very pleased with the Trailblazer EXT.

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  A base car for the commuter minded - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Stratford - May 22 - 6:46 pm

  The cabin is well thought out, and is roomy for an econobox, the controls easy to read and use, but pedals are too close to each other, and too small. Seats are roomy and have good side bolster, and are also height adjustable. The rear seats are high and ok for kids. Performance is what can be expected for 103 horses, but more than adequate for on ramps to the interstate. The trunk is plenty roomy and rear seats fold down. Style wise...well who cares this car is for commuting, and economy which in the city is about 30, and 40 mpg on the hwy. The Aveo is an economy car, and doesn’t pretend to be anything but. Smart car, great in traffic, and at the gas pump. I got a new 04 with air, for $8300.

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  RIP combustion engine - 2016 Chevrolet Volt
  By Alex - May 22 - 1:48 pm

  I switched from BMW 328 to this car and never looked back! The concept of a plug-in hybrid car is absolutely a great idea. And Volt 2016 is an excellent implementation of this car category. When it runs on EV mode (for about 40+ miles), you get a fantastic feeling of speed and serenity. When it switches to hybrid, it drives just like ordinary car. My last gasoline fill-up was 1500 miles earlier. I use ordinary 110/120 outlet to charge it. Since my commute does not deplete the battery completely, I get a full overnight charge. But if the battery is completely empty, it takes about 10+ hours to charge on 110/120 volts outlet. I have a higher level trip so the car comes with all sort of electronics. All around sensors and backup camera work perfect. The acceleration is pretty good (but not at Tesla level), however it does give you a good sensation of high electric engine torque. Coming from BMW, this was one of the important selling points for me. I don’t have quality problem so far. I cannot judge this aspect of the car yet. But I assume since the combustion engine rarely kicks in, at least in the engine department, it should be trouble free. My wish list for improving the car includes rear window wipers, better visibility through A pillar (a major design oversight) and electric seat adjustment.

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  Not exactly what I expected it to be. - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By onesix - May 21 - 12:32 pm

  I bought my truck slightly used in the summer of 09 with 22K on the dash. I have 86K now. Last summer at 65K my transmission went out on me. And my only indicator was that at highway speeds the RPMs would jump up about 1500 and back down speratically for about a week before it locked up on me on the service road of a busy freeway. Had to drive it in reverse half a mile to a gas station to park it. Also, there have been electrical issues with the drivers side lock not locking when I press the remote and window switches not working. Oh, and Im on my 2nd battery already. Cant figure that one out. Stabilitrak disengages at times. Looking to get out of it already.

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  no complaints so far - 2017 Chevrolet Trax
  By bonkersbwh57 - May 20 - 3:47 am

  This is small SUV, it is pretty good for what it is. The power is adequate and not an issue on the highway like others have suggested.

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  Satisfied - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Denor - May 12 - 6:10 am

  I have a 2007 LT3. Car looks good, nice interior, good build quality, handles well. 3.9 engine is smooth and offers very adequate power. Gas mileage is disapointing. I had a 2003 with 3.4 engine that would get well over 30 mpg on hwy and mid to upper 20s in town driving. LT3 with 3.9 gets 16 mpg in town aND 25 on hwy. Also wind and road noise are excessive.

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  Fun to Drive - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Dennis M - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Great looks good ride nice get up and go. Crank up the 200amps enjoy the ride.

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  POWER! but at a price - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By strati - May 11 - 2:00 am

  we needed one big car for the fam. home projects and a kid on the way. the tblazer seemed to be perfect! HUGE power, good amount of room, and a reasonable price. but the interior comfort really leaves a lot to be desired, the audio system isnt very good at all, and the mileage (understandably) is poor. but whats dissappointing is that the 4x4 switch becomes inoperative in the cold. guess when i need the 4x4 to WORK?!

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  Better than my past 08 Scion xb - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By swartz - May 10 - 3:33 pm

  I was able to trade in a 08 Scion XB after seeing an 08 orange HHR panel wagon. The drive was smooth. Wish I had purchased it in the first place. The Scion was very limited in color selection, had lower MPG, tough to see stop lights, only one back up light, even with a pioneer stereo the sound was not as good as the HHRs. Buying American was nice. I just love the HHR!

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  my review - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By HXS - May 10 - 10:00 am

  The only afordable car that fits me (64", 215#) and my family of four. Very comfortable, great gas mileage.