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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  2004 Avalanche Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By rmnord - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased it and took on trip of 2000 mi. Loved the comfort, handling and looks. I have owned pickups, Cadillacs and other GM autos and this is by far the best vechicle I have owned. It has as smooth and quiet ride as any vehicle I have owned. This is the first 4WD I have owned, yet the ride is unbelievable.

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  Love it - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Debbie - June 4 - 8:26 pm

  I needed something bigger to haul my kids friends around. This was the coolest way without getting a mini van. I love it!

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  2000 SS. Best Ive Ever Owned - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By chasd3 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2000 Monte Carlo SS new in 2000. This is the best car Ive ever owned. I put a lot of miles on it each year simply beacuse I love to drive it. It has been on two Cross Country trips from Texas to New York. The Monte Carlo is comfortable, reliable, fun to drive and just excellent all around. I hope to purchase another one soon.

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  Exceeded my expectations - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By AndyRach - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I have done nothing to this car except change the oil and tires. It has performed in an excellent manner.

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  Great Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mike - June 3 - 5:50 pm

  We are long time SUV owners from Jeeps to Tahoes. The Equinox gets great fuel economy with good power. Great useable space inside, back seat legroom is outstanding with sliding rear seat. XM Onstar 6 disc CD are powerful. Unique exterior design looks like nothing else on road. Wide stance and larger tires make a smooth car-like ride and handling. We compared all the competition and the Equinox was the clear winner when all features and financing were reviewed. I would highly recommend the vehicle. The 5 star safety rating is another bonus.

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  Best So Far - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jonesy - June 3 - 4:16 pm

  I looked at everything out there from mid-size to crossover to large and the Tahoe just cant be beat for the money. I put 1000 miles on it the day after delivery and loved every inch of it. Weve only had it a month now with no regrets and lots of smiles. Ive owned GM vehicles most of my life and I always research the market before any new purchase, GM came out a winner again. Keep up the good work!

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  Hang On - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jed - June 2 - 2:20 pm

  Wow is all I can say. When you drop the hammer on this thing it really goes! I love how quiet it is at crusing speed. Yes its thirsty but my Focus was at best 26 MPG and this car is way up on the fun factor. The hands free phone is an added bonus stereo rocks even though Im a Sirus subscriber. So far so good! I do think Ill lower it a bit.

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  2007 Chevrolet Silverado - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Juan - June 2 - 2:10 pm

  I love the way it is designed in and out. It is very powerful and quiet ride, with a lot of features.

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  Good so far - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mark Teubner - June 2 - 9:10 am

  It doesnt have many miles, so quality hasnt been tested very much, but my 1998 Monte Carlo is the best vahicle Ive ever had. Even better than the 2 Toyotas I had. The Tundra was too narrow for a person with long legs and the styling of the F150 didnt do anything for me. Only time will tell how well the truck holds up.

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  2004 Aveo (Automatic Hatchback) Review - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By MABPA - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I waited one month before writing this review to allow time to get a better perspective of my new 2004 Aveo, an automatic transmission, hatchback style. I find the size of the vehicle as desired, small on the outside, quite roomy (including rear seat leg room) on the inside. With the 60/40 split and "flip and fold" feature of the back seat, the car has a nice variety of storage options. My early estimate of fuel efficiency in generally moderate distance, rural, and somewhat hilly travel is about 32 mpg. The car is a fun vehicle for the "gentle" driver.