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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  They are finally getting it right - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By DWF - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Z 66 for 9 months and almost 16000 miles and it is superb. Only one small problem with a rear end bearing, otherwise flawless. XM is great. Ride is super. Towing is very good. Utiliy and versatility are 11 on a 1 to 10 scale. I just cannot say enough good things about it.

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  owner Avalanch Z71 2003 - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Kim G. - June 1 - 10:00 am

  This is the best vehical for my needs , for a do it yourselfer and having a comfortable ride for my familey not like a truck

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  My New Toy - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By glec - June 1 - 10:00 am

  This is the ultimate toy. Able to go from a cool looking SUV to a working truck in less than a minute. So easy that one person can do it. Looks like a radical truck but rides like an expensive car.

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  my review - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By speeddemon9557 - June 1 - 10:00 am

  i just got this car yesterday and i love it i take really good car of it and keep it very clean on the outside and inside and the ride is very smooth and good acceleration

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  Best kept secret gm ever had - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By chevy x 2 - June 1 - 10:00 am

  We bought our Equinox LT FWD after test driving two others. I traded my 2003 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab for it. The room is unbelievable! One really must see it and feel it to appreciate it. The gas milage and lack of room were two of the major factors in getting rid of the Nissan. We have only gone through one tankful but I must say we are averaging 21 city/highway. The ride and handling are superb.

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  My New Car!!!! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Michele - May 31 - 4:20 am

  I had a 99 Malibu and loved it but it was time to upgrade. I had seen the advertisments for it and seen a few on the road and fell in love at first sight. I love it! The storage in the back, the leg room and adjustable seats in the back, theyre great. I love the remote starter. The car is proving to be all I wanted and so much more. The fuel economy is ok right now. I havent done much highway driving yet so I havent gotten up to the high 20s in mpg but Im happy with getting 21 around town. We also got an amazing deal on the car with the reg tag sale and having the GM card. I plan to keep the car a long time!! Love it! highly recommend it as an alternative to a station wagon or SUV!

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  Beautiful Little Car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Fred - May 28 - 1:56 pm

  This is the first new vehicle that I have bought since my 1987, which I still have. As far as I an concerend, its the best one I have ever bought. Nice firm ride and not to harsh,but feels very stable on the road. Have not had one problem with the vehicle at all. The wife just loves to car and she says its just the right size for her. All body fits are good and the paint finish is flawless. I get just about what the gas rating says. 23 city and 30 highway. It is really a fun car to drive with all the attention getting I expected. Questions from people at the grocery store, gas stations and malls. Would buy another one just for me it I had the money....

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  Chevys Done It Again! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Aveofan - May 26 - 10:00 am

  So far I have had no problems at all with my Aveo.For a compact car there is plenty of space.I love the design out side and inside.And for gas milage it is great.It dosent have all the extra features like power lock so that makes it affordable.

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  excellent truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By bolts - May 26 - 10:00 am

  one great chevy truck, i been a chevy owner for over 30 years, im telling you this truck is on the mark!!!!

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  My Review - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By soup1005 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  The 4.2 V6 has great power. My only problems so far are with the parking lights staying on for no reason and a plastic piece in my door broke. Other than that it has been a great vehicle.