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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  2005 Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Richard Ruby - March 24 - 3:33 am

  I believe that this vehicle is the best fit in the complex world of SUVs. It is stylish, economical and good looking. The power steering is great.

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  FUEL ECONOMY/TOWING - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By deemacokc - March 23 - 8:39 pm

  I traded in a 2004 Nissan Titan for the redesigned Silverado. I decided on this truck due to the redesign & the gas mileage. WRONG MOVE!!! I have yet to get more than 17mpg & I have 20K miles on it. I do 97% highway driving. Ive taken it to the dealership at least once a month complaining about it, no solution. Ive contacted GM, no solution. Towing is terrible. I have a single axle 5X10 enclosed trailer & this Silverado was struggling!! And the trailer was empty! I got better mpg from my Titan with 190K miles & 2 cracked manifolds! As soon as Nissan upgrades the Titan Im running back!! Got consistent 18-19mpg from the Titan since I bought it new in 2004

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  I dont think I would buy this car again - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Mark - March 23 - 4:03 pm

  One of the reasons I bought this car is because of the great rebates, but I dont think its in the same class as an $18,000 Honda or Toyota. I think this may have been a great marketing plan by GM. There are definite engineering flaws with this vehicle, such as the cup holders being too close to the heating controls. The back glass in the back doors doesnt fit securely, allowing a wind noise. The back window has a channel on top that will be a problem with water build up. Rust on the screws that hold the gas filling tube. I have had my car into the dealership 6 times this month for service and the problem of wind noise still exists. My last mileage figure was 20.5mpg I wonder if the rebate will ever go away

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  Economy plus great handling - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tao - March 23 - 10:46 am

  After almost 3 years with this car, I am very pleased with it. I enjoy the handling and the zippy V-6, which gets over 30 mpg on the highway. It is chock-full of features, such as side- curtain airbags, all of which were much more expensive on import competitors.

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  Dont buy a Malibu - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dont buy a malibu - March 22 - 11:30 pm

  This car has poor fuel mileage, I dont care what the specs say, and I am taking into consideration that these are usually exaggerated. I traded a 2003 Mercury Sable with 40k something miles on it, thinking i would get a bit better gas mileage with a newer vehicle, six cylinder but should be better in mileage as smaller vehicle and less weight and other factors. Darn things is eating me alive, i have decided to sell the thing and am driving my other vehicle in the mean time, a 2001 Ford Taurus (73000 miles) a larger car that is getting better mileage than this thing.

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  So many positives, a few big negatives - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Daniel DeLamater - March 22 - 10:08 pm

  Well, we have been pleased with our car overall. But thank God we purchased the extended warranty. I would not recommend avoiding this van - I would just say get as much warranty as possible. We stopped at 75,000 miles and it wasnt enough. We are about to replace the 2nd hub assembly, we have had gaskets go out, we have had fuel regulators to replace, etc., etc. The utility of this van is excellent. Its roominess, drivability, and overall reliability are positives. Thankfully we had the warranty as long as we did - and that we have a wonderful dealership to work with. Otherwise I might not be so kind.

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  2005 Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By shane crumpton - March 22 - 2:06 pm

  Fuel mileage less than expected with I- 5 engine. Ride is good on hi-way, power is good for 5-cyl. The nterior lacks style, has has too much gray. Front tires are worn on inside after 18K overall a good truck. Needs a better sound system.

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  Problem changing between 4 and 8 cylinders - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jjj32 - March 22 - 2:03 pm

  I just purchased the Silverado 2014, less than 1500 miles. It squeaks each time it changes from 4 to 8 cylinders. Dealer said that nothing could be done. They could repeat the problem but said that GM had no resolution. This is most annoying to say the least. Ill track each time I take it in for repair; if they continue to say it cant be fixed Ill file under the state lemon law. Too bad, really was looking forward to my new truck.

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  What a truck! - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By J. Wit - March 22 - 11:22 am

  This has been a great family vehicle. We love it. We use it to travel the east coast for vacations, fishing, hunting, sports, etc. It is great in all road conditions. On the beach (sand of N.C. OBX) or in the snow of VA it goes. Tow a trailer for working in the yard. It pulls it smothly. Would by another in a minute.

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  Very Good - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Helen Eiden - March 22 - 10:37 am

  There are few changes I would make to this car. One I do not like cloth seats either vinyl of leather. The hatchback would be better for loading if the door was almost as wide as the trunk. Overall I would buy another Chevy Aveo Hatchback.