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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  Solid value - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Aerocraft67 - April 19 - 2:03 pm

  This car was a great value when I bought it new and throughout its lifetime. I just sold it. Its more stylish, powerful, and feature rich for the price compared with alternatives. I could even tow with it. Gratifying acceleration with the 2.4L, which is apparently one of GMs best engines. Repairs became significant, but otherwise normal and routine (i.e., A/C overhaul and water pump replacement near 90k). Otherwise, no major chronic or abnormal problems. Although, I had to replace the windshield twice under otherwise normal conditions. Very favorable price/performance ratio. I agree that criticism is harsh when you consider fair trade-offs at this price point. It served me well.

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  Bigger is not necesarily better. - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By runwithsue - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Malibu because it was larger than the 1995 Cavalier and a quieter ride, but I have many more problems with the Malibu than I ever had with the Cavalier. I am at 51,000 miles and about to replace the rotors, which have warped for the second time. The air conditioner keeps switching off for no reason as does the air re-circulation. In a heavy rain, my brake lights shorted out. Im afraid I will be going a new direction for the next new vehicle.

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  Great Product - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Jerry Ross - April 19 - 10:00 am

  The Duramax is very powerful, great response machine. Great fuel economy, average 20mpg in a crew cab 2wd. Seats are comfortable and driving is easy, and smooth for a 3/4 ton truck. Negatives: Vision to the sides and rear are limited, and cup holders not in a good place.

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  Love my Lumina - 2001 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Vinnie - April 19 - 9:18 am

  I have had this car for almost 5 years, the gas mileage on hiway for me is around 34 or 35 and city driving is around 25. I love my Lumina and have had very few problems with it. After all I bought it as an auction vehicle that was previously used for a rental company.

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  The perfect truck - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dbary - April 19 - 4:43 am

  I have had my new 2014 Silverado for a few months now. Here is the build configuration: LT Double Cab 4x4 5.3L V-8 All-Star Package Bed Liner 33,000 out the door (after tax) Disclaimer, I have driven similar versions of Ram and Fords 2014 trucks. I have actually always owed Fords up until this point of my life. This truck just does everything perfect. When I test drove the Ram and Ford, the Silverado just seemed like everything was put together in a way that made it feel like the entire truck is made out of one piece, aka, German sedan like.

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  Little Orange Slice - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Greg - April 18 - 11:48 pm

  I purchased my Aveo as a second car to commute to work in. I really like it the gas milage is pretty good. The little car rides great and is very comfortable. I have a PT Crusier and the Aveo is very similer in the sitting position. I love the bright spicy orange color, it stands out.

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  Great performance, not much else. - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Paul - April 18 - 10:49 pm

  First Corvette, 42 years old, have wanted one since I was a kid. Have driven friends and relatives C3, C4, C5 Vettes but the C6 is of course the best to date. The positives: Awesome power and acceleration, great exterior styling. The negatives: poor build quality and realiability. Hard to get in and out of even at my age. Road noise premeates the cabin. Been to the dealer twice in four weeks of ownership wipers stopped working/a wire got cut by the wiper assembly itself, popping sound from the rear. Both issues were fixed by the dealer. Great car for the $ in exchange for the performance and acceleration you get, overall quality is not there though.

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  Great Economy Car - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Michael Mayle - April 18 - 10:22 pm

  I drive 50 miles round trip to work and bought this car for its economy. I like it so much,that I have parked my pick up and drive it all of the time. I find it exceptionally roomy and easy to manuver in the city. A real gas money saver

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  Chevy Z24 Convertible - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Marcella Carothers - April 18 - 7:35 pm

  I purchased this car new. It has always been very reliable. It is a sharp looking car with white striping and tinted windows. It is a lot of fun to drive and I always have envious compliments wherever I go. I have had several new cars in my life and this is the one I liked the most.

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  Best $7,000 I ever bought - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By whf147 - April 18 - 5:29 pm

  As a previous Chevy Sprint owner I would say this is the car of the century. I paid $1,000 more for this vehicle than the 1986 Chevy Sprint I bought. I got 180,000 miles out of that vehicle. I bought this Aveo in Oct of 2004 and I have 46,000 trouble free miles on it.