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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  General description of vehicle . - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Norman Shapiro - February 5 - 4:33 pm

  This HHR is a 2nd vehicle for us. I purchased it as an inexspensive form of transportation. I purchased a manual 5 speed shift for that reason. Disapointing to note that this vehicle caused me much grief that was due to shoddy workmanship. I received a severe laceration because the seat of the vehicle was inferior.

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  Good Family Car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Malcom - February 4 - 10:00 am

  No problems so far, good solid car. Larger then the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, plus it comes with a V6 compared to their V4. Big truck, big interior. Fits four adults plus a baby seat with ease. You can put a stroller in the truck and still have room for the groceries. Only gripe, no lights in glove box, under the hood or in the truck.

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  family car plus cargo - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By markl - February 4 - 10:00 am

  the way i see it its a family car plus great cargo room. i use it to carry cargo in the back with the second seat down. and i use it to drive the family of 5 around town. the milage sucks. i get about 10miles/gallon in the city. i love the ride, its better that alot of suvs i tried. the design is cool enough for me.

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  not "equinoxious" - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By crobar - February 4 - 10:00 am

  good new suv from chevy but needs the VUE engine to make it great.

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  Like the Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By HClem - February 4 - 7:10 am

  Ok everyone will think I am crazy as I traded in a 1999 Corvette for this truck. However, I had a 1995 Chevy Blazer with over 150k that was my daily driver and I just fell in love with this truck when I saw it. It is loaded out with all the bells and whistles except moonroof. It gets great gas mileage for a full size truck 16 city and 19 highway. I enjoy driving it and especially like the ability to see what is ahead of you. Could use a slightly less harsh ride but overall great truck. I have had absolutely no trouble with the truck except the battery which died with less than 1000 miles

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  2005 Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Michael Cox - February 2 - 7:03 am

  Nothing but praise for my Equinox, it looks good, is fun to drive, and have had no problems in the first 10,000 miles!!!! The only little dissapointment is gas mileage, Avg. around 19MPG combined so far.

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  My New Wheels - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Z71 - January 31 - 6:46 pm

  I really do enjoy driving this new Chevy. I have been a Chevy man since my first at 16 years old, a 1956 black 2 door sedan. Wish I still had it!! I like its smooth handling, its tough, rugged, raw power. I take it out on the beach with my lady, who is a surfer, and with its 17 inch wheels, it is an effortless task. It also handles all my fishing gear with plenty of room to spare. With two sons and three grandsons, everyone rides in comfort! I also do a bit of yard work here and there, and towing my tractor is a breeze! Power, comfort, dependability, and its a Chevy. What more could a guy ask for!

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  Very Few Problems - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By JeffB - January 30 - 10:00 am

  One of the best trucks I have ever owned. not nearly the probs others have reported. I have 60K and still get 20hwy and 17 city, 10mpg while towing 24 travel trailer with the 5.3L. change oil every 3k, still have 50% brakes +. Its paid for and with the price of anything new why get one? GM support has always been less than stellar. Maybe its the fact it was built in Canada, All the problem trucks were built in the us

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  Equinox LT - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By David Bouffard - January 30 - 1:16 am

  Good all a round vehicle. I rate it an 8 for the total package. The Equinox is a great bargain for all the options. The vehicle will grow on you. The more you drive it the better it gets. My wife has been stopped a few times by people asking her how she likes the Equinox because they were contemplating buying one. The vehicle is great for around town and fo long distance drving.

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  My Chevy - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Casey7 - January 26 - 5:13 pm

  I love my new Chevy Trailblazer. It is the first Chevy I have driven since 55. It has a very comfortable ride, plenty if power and is well designed and built. The transmission could use more crisp changing. I have only one major problem, the milege is pretty bad. I get 15 around town and 16.4 on the interstate. Over all , the Trailblezer is great.