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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  Safety issues - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By safty issues - January 26 - 12:31 am

  When I got in to drive because I am 49" tall I cant reach the gas pedal, and when my husband drove it he had a lot of blind spots because the driver seat doesnt go down and his vision is obstructed, by the roof. He even had to duck to see the traffic lights. We didnt realize it didnt have a power seat. The sliding doors slide shut without warning. Ive been hit with the door and my 4 year old almost got her head caught in the door. The kids fall over at every turn because there are no arm rests so they hang by the seat belts. Drive thru cups fly out of front cup holders going around turns. Was in a really bad accident the OnStar didnt come on and the air bags didnt deploy.

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  Gas Hog - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Stephen Wilson - January 23 - 3:18 am

  The truck sounds great when it starts up. It has a hard time reaching a good speed without laboring. last time I checked it was getting around 12mpg on highway. When I go up a hill it will slow down quickly and lag behind. The gas pedal is too close to the brake pedal and can be dangerous if not carefull. That was an engineering blunder. The truck looks great, but what good it it to me that way. I wish I had my Toyota Tundra back.

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  Trailblazer woes - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Chevy SUV - January 21 - 8:46 pm

  This truck has been nothing but trouble. I have had it into the dealer numerous times only to drive it off the lot & find another problem. The transmission & electrical components are the main concern on this SUV.

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  Incredibly Average - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By MyothercarisanF-18 - January 18 - 12:28 pm

  Cars like the Blazer make me consider buying an import. Design is mundane, and at times poorly thought out- i.e. spare tire on 2DR either obstructs rear visibility or eats up too much cargo room. The car has required quite a bit of repair work for light duty use and consistent preventative maintenance. Brakes have twice required major work Ive replaced a couple of bearings, and installed new door hinges to keep it from leaking. There are numerous other "minor" problems, such as a defective fuel guage that Ive just decided to live because of their cost to repair. Bottom line: the Blazer is a reasonably priced SUV, but low expectations are the key to avoiding dissapointment.

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  Just a lemon on wheels - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Phlex - January 18 - 10:00 am

  My Blazer has been in the shop more times than I care to count. Ive had the catalytic converter replaced, the transfer case for the transmission replaced, oil leaks sealed, passenger seat handle replaced, driver side lumber replaced, third brake light replaced, roof rack and rear window molding re-painted, tire rack repainted, inside paneling reseated which still rattles with every bump. It also was leaning to one side in the front. My Blazer is at the dealer now because my driver side window does not work, and there is a loud thump that comes from the right wheel well. It barely as 17,000 miles on it. Not at all worth the headaches.

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  Disgusted with GM, Warranty is worthless - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By superb - January 17 - 4:56 pm

  I am totally disgusted with this car and wont purchase another GM product. Corvette was alway my dream car, my dreams were shattered when I bought my brand new 50th anniversary convertible. Many problems, including a leaky roof, 3 different dealers tell me nothing is wrong. After 5 attempts they finally replaced the rubber, guess what, it still leaks. This is just one of many problems with this car. If only the warranty were worth something. I might enjoy it if they would fix it.

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  Extremely Dissatisfied - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Michelle - January 13 - 11:37 am

  I have had this vehicle less than 8 months. It has been in the shop 6 six times for different items. The transmission went out, the day of delivery the dealership backed it into a pole and it had to have a new backend, the tint has fallen off, the air conditioning vent has falled out of the dash board, the horn would not work properly as well as the two recall notices that have come out on this vehicle. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Unfortunate Lemon - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By One Good Granny - January 13 - 11:26 am

  Have owned this car 3 months and front end pulls upon driving and increases pull during braking. Mechanics adjusted sub frame, replaced one wheel (manufactures defect), alignment performed. It still pulls yet now in the opposite direction! Too unsteady for a brand new vehicle. I paid $16,400 for this vehicle. Was told sub frame misalignment normal as shipped from Korea and rough seas can pull on frame tie downs.

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  05 Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jimmy - January 9 - 5:55 pm

  Really excited to purchase first SUV. Six months later, I am disappointed. Poor fit and finish, interior is terribly cheap. First and last GM product.

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  2005 TrailBlazer LT - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ND - January 8 - 12:50 am

  I am extremely disappointed in this vehicle. Gas mileage very poor. Worse than the 1/2 ton Silverado I had. Very noisy inside of vehicle. I took vehicle back to dealer for the noise. They worked on it for a day with inpuit from GM. GM said the vehicle has high road noise. I find this vehicle to be noisier than the Silverado I had. All in all, buying this vehicle was not a good move. On the positive side, the leg room in front is great for a person +6.