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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  Love my SS - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Shep - January 29 - 2:29 am

  I was looking for something practical, then I test drove the TrailBlazer SS. I forgot all about gas mileage when I put my foot on the gas, come 395 hp in a SUV, Corvette base block engine, Chevy you went to far. The interior a little sporty for a 51 year old, I think not. This vehicle still turns head a 21/2 years old. The Bose sound system is awesome, it handles like a sports car, but with enough comfort to make a trip through the mountains fun. Who knew radio (XM) could sound so good, I just purchased 3 years so I would always have it. Overall my TrailBlazer SS is a bunch of fun, although an ave. of 13 mpg in the city is tough.

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  Excellent Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By WHG4AU - January 28 - 9:46 pm

  I purchased this truck brand new from the dealer and have been extremely satisfied with it so far. The interior comfort is fantastic for a guy 68". Performance is great except for the fuel mileage. 13 MPG is my average around town. I added an Airade intake and a throttle body spacer along with a Flowmaster exhaust and it sounds and performs great! Terriffic power and reliability. Comfortable ride with a car-like feel. I fully recommend the Chevrolet 2500HD trucks!

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  05 Malibu LS - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MC - January 28 - 9:30 pm

  This car has been everything it was expected to be. It has good pickup, looks good, and is quiet inside.

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  Great Little Car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob - January 28 - 4:19 pm

  Car is much more than expected. Must take into account cost and type of vehicle. All things considered it is a 10 in my book.Milege is better than rated 34 some city and more rural driving no highway. Have to give ten on mileage gets better than rated. Fit and trim inside and out is excellent. Better than other big name small cars I have owned. So far it is the best small car I have owned.

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  Dont buy a trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By BONBON1977 - January 28 - 2:23 pm

  I do not recommend this vehicle. I have had nothing but problems with it. I have issues with the headlights dimming when I apply the brakes, the buttons on the radio have chipped off, the leather seats were worn after about 4 months, as well as weather stripping problems and turn signal malfunctions. Just to name a few of the problems.Eventhough I had an extended warranty, GM found reasons to cover none of my problems. I wanted an SUV and was excited when I bought this one as I thought I was buying a vehicle that I would love and drive for many years. Now Im just looking forward to the day that I can trade it in for something else and not have to roll negative equity into my next vehicle.

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  Nice looking, reliable SUV - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Rickster1959 - January 28 - 1:11 pm

  Purchased as used 2008 Chevy zone rep. demo. Fairly priced as a demo/used vehicle. Great looking ride!, Interior is very comfortable . Cabin is fairly quiet and well appointed. Lots and lots of features included with the 3LT model. Love the heated leather seats and mirrors. Bose stereo is unbeleiveable! Plenty of power is to be had via the famous Inline 4.2L inline six cylinder engine that I have read so many favorable reviews on. Standard trailering package is a welcome standard feature. So far, this is the nicest vehicle I have owned in over 32 yrs. I drive many miles per weeek, so Chevrolet 5 yr., 100,000 mile warranty is a valuable feature!

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  Great - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rafa - January 28 - 12:56 pm

  very good car I love it everyone super super vehicle please buy one of this i have one

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  Awesome vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Hank handler - January 28 - 10:40 am

  Great vehicle.

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  Jims lanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dimitri - January 28 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 8 bmws 4 mercedes 1 porsche,and about 8 others in my 26 years of driving. My Avalanche is the best multi-task car/truck I have owned. Comfort looks and room are the highs, power, gas and transmision are the low points. My last car was a BMW 4.6; The other ones I have now is 04 SL500, Audi Allroad.

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  I luv my Lanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mwa - January 28 - 10:00 am

  best truck on da road