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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  Car Stinks - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By Karrie - April 17 - 4:54 pm

  This car stinks! We have owned this car about 9 months and it has been a nightmare. It has been at the dealership for repairs about 13 times in 9 months. The intermediate shaft has been replaced or repaired 4 times. The gas mileage stinks. We are lucky to get 15-17 MPG. The calipers, rotors and pads had to be replaced at 10,000 miles. The sunvisor clip has broken several times. On trips the car is very comfortable and roomy but overall I would not reccommend it to anyone.

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  Great comfortable powerful truck - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By RyanJames - April 17 - 4:51 pm

  Well lets start with the bulletproof drivetrain. 295 hp, rock solid and quick... great transmission. Interior is great, not too flashy and very comfortable seats. The truck is very useable, the bed is decently large, and the cover works as a tonneau. I have driven this truck on over 4500 mile road trips and will not stop going. I have just passed 80,000 miles and not a single problem. Gas mileage is around 15.5 in town and over 19 on the highway.

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  LOVE IT - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By DEBBIE SMITH-ADDO - April 17 - 3:00 pm

  Just purchased the LT Maxx a couple of weeks ago. Love the comfort, DVD system, dual sun/moon roofs, leather interior, automatic lights, etc. I think that Ive made a great choice. You get a luxury feeling without having to purchase a luxury car. My husband and five year old loves it also. Lots of bang for the buck!

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  Fun to drive, reliable from day one. - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By bernie - April 17 - 1:28 pm

  From the day I picked it up to the present day I have enjoyed and depended on this vehicle. Made several trips to Florida non stop 1000 miles one way. The fuel averages overall 25.9 miles per gallon.

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  Fun in Southington - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mara Little - April 17 - 6:36 am

  Its a fun vehicle to drive. Its got great handling and good acceleration. The radio has great sound and I love the fact that it tells you the songs that are playing. So far the gas mileage isnt as good as I thought it would be. Im hoping as time goes by, it will improve. All in all I love it, and would definitely recommend it.

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  1995 Astro Van CS Extended - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By Kim - April 16 - 6:57 pm

  I bought this van new in 1995 after having two Chrysler "Magic Wagons." The Astro has lots more room, more power, has been much more reliable, and uses no more fuel than my 1993 Grande Voyager did. The only downside is that it is on a truck chassis, so ride and handling is more truck-like than the Chrysler product. The Astro and Safari have taken an undeserved bad rap from some auto mags-just because of the fuel economy-but I have 276,000km on mine, many owners report in excess of 500,000km and still running strong. My two Chrysler vans were falling apart within two years. The Astro has been a much better purchase.

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  New dog mobile - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Dog Lady - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I was a faithful Expedition owner and went to them first when it was time for a new ride. The cost, the new interior changed my mind. This TrailBlazer has style .. it is not a minivan and it responds when you need it to.

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  Excellent Reasonably Priced Car! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By flashback4 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Great little car, I needed a new commuter car that got good gas milage and at under $10,000 I couldnt find a better car. The overall fit and finish is exceptionally good, especially for a cheaply priced car. I drive 60 miles round trip a day and have been averaging 34 to 35 miles to the gallon. Considering the price of some of the new hybrids, it would take years to make up the difference in gas savings. I think Chevy did a great job in designing and building the Aveo, I would recommend it to anyone looking for good car, reasonably priced, that gets decent gas mileage.

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  fuel economy - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By MATTPERCHPAGE - April 16 - 10:00 am

  my 3.4 litre impala may be a hot rod, may have a huge interior, may be quiet and cost thousands less than the japenese cars, but it looks great and doesnt burn any gas either. 33mpg at 75mph. get yours today

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  Nice Tahoe! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By mylimit - April 16 - 10:00 am

  We bought this Tahoe as a family ride that would tow my boat and keep the family comfortable when not towing. Our Tahoe seems to do it all! Quality good!