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:

• 

  2006 LS - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By fcloud - May 17 - 10:20 pm

  The car is very well built. The initial quality is way better than I expected from any GM vehicle. I am pleasantly surprised by the vehicle.

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mark Yanulavich - May 17 - 10:16 pm

  Great handling and great looking vehicle. No problems whatsoever. Exceptionally roomy. Gas mileage a little less than advertised (Im getting around 18 City, 22 highway). Rear storage should be redesigned to maximize space.

• 

  Two Months with a New Corvette - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By aproforoyou - May 17 - 7:41 pm

  I should have made this purchase several years ago. The power is awesome, yet tractable, and the fit and finish is much better than most true sport cars. The transmission with the clutchless shifter is so quick that you need the headsup display before you run afoul of the law. Definitely an American value.

• 

  American Cars are Meant for the Road - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By NewDadAgain - May 17 - 1:17 pm

  Initially the dealership gave us a lemon. After letters to Corporate HQ the dealership was forced to "de-lemon" this vehicle. After these few months of pure regret weve driven this car all over. From mid-west to parts of the south and regular trips to New England. This is an American car built for the road. This car has about 145,000 miles and counting and runs like a charm!! Drive and American car where its supposed to be and itll treat you right!! Ive owned Oldsmobile, Chrysler, Chevy, Cadillac.

• 

  GM through and through - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Bret - May 17 - 1:05 am

  I needed a car that I could drive and get some of my money back after a couple of years. This car stickered at $36000 new and I thought I got a good deal with all the rebates. Here it is two years later and it is only worth $14000 in good condition. Ridiculous! Last American car I will ever own. The interior looks like a first grader made it in a class project. All the weather stripping around the doors is falling off, the radio has been replaced twice( I dont know why I even bothered the thing stunk to begin with), the bumper covers are warping, funky smell from the vents and the cheap chrome sticker that they call a grill is is peeling off. Volkswagon Touareg here I come.

• 

  Saved my tail! - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Phil Carr - May 16 - 10:17 pm

  I loved the style and the handling was beautiful. It was fun to drive and the feel of the wind flow through the car. You gotta love it. I totalled it in a bad collision with 3 consecutive trees after going sideways over a bank but escaped unharmed. I loved this car, but better it then me.

• 

  2nd Time Around - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Michael - May 16 - 4:22 pm

  My 2006 2WD Z66 is a replacement for my 2002 Z66. Chevy must be doing something right as this was the first time Ive ever repeated on a vehicle. The mileage continues to be a problem as would any vehicle this size and weight. Most comfortable and smoothest riding vehicle Ive ever owned and this one is number 18. For my money, theres not a better highway car.

• 

  Love it - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By aleksis - May 16 - 1:56 pm

  I love this car. It is my first new car. It gets great gas mileage. Much bigger on the inside than it looks. So much to fun to drive.

• 

  Disappionted - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RKG - May 16 - 1:41 pm

  I bought this vehicle when it was 9 months old with 17,000. The mileage is now 51,000. I have spent considerable amount of money on repairs. Too many things to list. Everytime I go in for an oil change, they find another $500 worth of stuff. I just spent another $868. This vehicle has not been used to tow anything or for off road. The gas mileage is terrible. I just filled up and checked and I am getting 15.5 mpg. The only reason I keep it is because it is paid for!

• 

  My Aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By D. J. - May 16 - 12:30 pm

  I love this car. Of all the vehicles I have owned, this is my favorite. My husband enjoys driving it so much, he plans to buy one for himself. Its a great scoot-around-town car. The gas mileage is terrific.