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 it so far! - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By L Reeve - April 27 - 6:56 pm

  Ive only had my car 10 days but I have to say, it rides like a dream. I have filled up my tank once and am already getting 23 mpg. in town with lots of stop and go. That is equal to the 4 cyl. car I traded in. Ride is quiet and smooth. Lots of compliments about the new body style and overall look of the car.

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  Good Value - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dew - April 27 - 6:53 pm

  Pros - lots of bells and whistles for the money. Cons - problems with interior fit. Replaced dash cowl because it warped within 2 days of ownership. A piller trim now separating with the hot sun.

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  2002 LT - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Alan - April 27 - 6:20 pm

  We bought the vehicle because of 4 kids and needed more legroom than our GMC Safari. Kids never complain about legroom (even with 2 teenagers). The vehicle is great on long trips. It is a very comfortable ride. We have not really had any mechanical issues, but have had the radio system replaced once (the digital clock kept resetting to 1:00) but the dealer was great about the warranty work. I like the 4- wheel ABS and OnStar.

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  I wouldnt choose an Uplander as my 1st - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Yvonne Sween - April 27 - 5:54 pm

  We have some problems with our 05 Uplander. The outside trim has been replaced twice and still is crooked. Our airbag had to be tightened and we still have a loud rattle sound under our dash. Overall I would buy a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odessey if I was to do it over again.

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  Love My Avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Jack - April 27 - 9:47 am

  The truck has been wonderfully comfortable to drive. Easy to turn, drive. I get 20 MPG with the 5.3 liter motor, though most of my miles are highway. Glad I bought this truck.

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  Good little runner - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Rua - April 27 - 2:28 am

  For the price what more can you say. Use it until it wears out. Not too sure what the long term reliability will be, only time will tell. A mate of mine put 60, 000 ks on his without any problems. It drives and handles well, the brakes could be better though. All good!

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  Aveo is great - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Derek - April 26 - 10:52 pm

  Looked into a lot of cars for comfort, fuel economy, and the sort.. The Aveo has got it all . Amazing room for a larger person. Comfotatble seats that match Toyota and the beyond, due to the fact the seats and car sit high off the ground. It feels like youre driving a minivan or small truck. Almazing car...I get 41 mies a gallon highway in 5th gear....38.5 miles in town. The base radio is kinda wimpy but who keeps their base radio anyhow? This car is totally worth $9900 base!

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  Awsome for the price - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By MASON - April 26 - 9:18 pm

  Awsome little car, I drive 100 miles a day, 3000 miles on the car so far 35.5 MPG is my best mileage so far. Its the perfect little car for someone that doesnt want to pay a fortune, but wants good mileage. No it doesnt perform like a Vette, because its not one. Its just what I paid for a small, cute, affordable, economic, basic little car. Not to mention that it fits in almost any parking space, and can do a U-Turn anywhere. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for the same.

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  Dissapointing - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Mark - April 26 - 5:49 pm

  Nice van, but a royal piece of garbage, GM made a serious design flaw in its intake manifold gasket, admitting fault but refusing to look after its customers. I now have engine damage on an otherwise good vehicle.GM made a serious mistake here, this is my first and last GM product. Based strictly on GM NOT standing behind their product. I have had a much better experience with Chrysler, and should have stuck with them. Lesson here GM is in huge financial trouble, why because people are purchasing vehicules from manufacturers that stand behind them.

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  250k and still going! - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ed - April 26 - 4:37 pm

  Weve had 2 96 Impala SS over the years. Both were adult driven and routinely maintained. The first one had 122,000 on it by the end of the 1999. At that point it was retired from duty, and we picked up another from a collector with a mere 1700 miles on it. The second now has over 250,000 miles on the original LT1 motor, 4L60E transmission and 8.5 10 bolt posi rear end. Burns no oil, and starts up every time. Only fixes have been a starter, an A/C compresser and a harmonic balancer. These are just great cars that hold thier value.