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 pro and con - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By earnest - December 9 - 2:00 am

  the car is nice but there isnt enough rom for storage up front

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  going deaf, you will have to speak up! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By S.S. - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I have 4000 miles on this vehicle with four trips to the service dept. The engine and overall ride is nice, but it has such extreme wind noise through the doors that it is very uncomfortable and distracting. Dont upgrade the stereo you will not be able to enjoy it! They tell me the drivers door was probably welded to the frame wrong! Where is your quality control Chevrolet? We work hard for our money and will take it elsewhere if you cant make a quality product or fix these mistakes!

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  How to make some improvements - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Dick - December 3 - 8:11 pm

  Please think about the following changes. 1. Offer 4 wheel drive as an option. 2. Replace the 4 speed auto tran. with a 5 speed auto.(will give better gas mileage, ETC. ) 3.Use more or better sound deadening material. 4. Upgrade the fabric seats with leather side panels & use better fabric for the interior seat backs plus seats. 5. Use more care with body panels. Have everyone think about this car as if it was their own.

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  Last Tahoe For Me - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Not Impressed - December 3 - 12:19 pm

  This was my fourth Tahoe. Purchased the Z71 and liked the body style but wish I would have kept my 2002. Cheap interior finishes, lots of road noise due to cheaper door seals. Just run it thru a car wash and open the rear hatch to see how well the seals work. Also have replaced the shocks on the rear hatch and it still doesnt open all the way. Gas mileage isnt what GM cracked it up to be. Terrible resale value! Are you kidding me it isnt worth 1/2 of purchase price after less than two years. GM could have done much better with design and quality on this one. Im afraid this may be my last domestic vehicle.

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  If you like walking... - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Agent - November 30 - 9:03 pm

  This car broke down 4 times in the first 6 months I owned it. 3 breakdowns were a result of the computer and the other 1 was due to the shifter housing. Also, the tires only lasted for about 28k before they needed to be replaced. This car is terrible in high winds and also has problems in the rain, snow, and ice. I was so disappointed that I considered hiring a lawyer to go after the dealership. Also, the gas mileage is seriously overstated. If the initial cost is your only consideration then buy an Aveo.

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  Cheap metal - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By MYSTICICE13 - November 30 - 7:55 pm

  My car seems to have dents from under the hood. No one knows why. Simply leaning against the car will cause the door to dent, I only weigh 130. I had the emissions valve replaced at 30,000 the clutch plate was replaced after only having it a year, the horn is weak. No block heater (required in Alaska) they charge you extra to get one when it should be installed in a place where its required.

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  Worst Vehicle I ever bought - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By herrmajj - November 25 - 3:04 pm

  Transmission, 3 seperate wiring issues, steering column, new cluster, seat adjustments went crazy and would try to smash you into the dash and now upcoming differential work. That is not to mention how uncomfortable the seats are for a long drive. The kids cannot put the seats all the way back in the second row because the armrest hits the side of the interior. Very disappointed. List price as equipped 54K and thought I got a deal at 31K. Guess I was wrong. Going to see if I can get in a Sequoia.

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  Review of 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ROME, GEORGIA FAMILY - November 25 - 12:30 pm

  The rear end makes a lot of noise. Make sure you dont get one that does. I have drove two that make niose so it is very popular problem. Test drive for a least two days to make sure you dont have lemon.

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  Dissappointed - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Flyboy737 - November 23 - 7:20 pm

  First brand new vehicle and first time owning a Chevy truck. Few problems initially with only 1 recall for heated wipers, which they did during oil change. Unfortunately, after rolling just 19k, transmission crapped out. I baby my truck, so when pulling out in traffic the tranny goes. Im not a happy camper. Up to this point, have been happy with my truck. But this experience definitely leaves a sour taste. Might not go back to Chevy.

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  Wouldnt recommend the Equinox! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By TINA - November 21 - 2:23 pm

  I purchased my Equinox in June of 2006. A year after puchasing it the back door areas were all chipped up and Chevy painted it for me as a good will. However a year later and its chipped again. I have had to have the seal around the drivers door replaced. The seats are horrible, if you get even a drop of water on them it leaves a mark. The center console is cheap and pretty much useless. I heard a noise when I start it but can never be duplicated when taken to the dealer. I have recently noticed that when going up hills there is a hesitation and again the dealer cant duplicate. And now it is not always starting right away there is a hesitation.