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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  Great Truck But Has Problems - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By enforcer_2006 - March 14 - 1:45 pm

  I bought my Avalanche used. It is a 1500 Z-71 with 93K miles every option imaginable. I love the way it drives and is really good in snow and ice. The problems I am experiencing is the water pump, steering gear box, and Bilstein shocks have all just gone out at the same time!!! Talk about dumping some money into it all at once. Another problem is that when you drive the truck down the interstate and the wind is blowing, and it does not have to be blowing hard, you get blown all over the interstate. It is gets so bad that I actually take the long way to work using backroads when it gets windy. When I accelerate hard, I get a metalic sound coming from the engine and Chevy cant diagnose it.

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  Great Inexpensive Daily Driver - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By EllwynX - March 14 - 9:31 am

  After owning this car almost a year/6200 miles its been a very reliable vehicle. Plenty of room for tall drivers despite its small stature. Performs well for a car its price. Plenty of features (power windows/locks/mirror/sunroof, keyless entry, CDw/mp3 capability) for an entry level car. If youre in the market for one now, I say wait for the 2007s to come out. Their look is MUCH improved over the 04-06 and they are getting a few more features not available on the 04-06s. The Aveo was the #1 selling car in its class for 05 and that should continue with the improved 07 model being released this year. My Performance/Fun ratings are low due to my having an 02 Camaro previously.

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  Senses Beware - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Brian - March 14 - 12:21 am

  With 300 miles on the odometer, I came to rest at a familiar intersection. I then proceeded to roll the left window down of my monterey red 2006 Corvette. As the window disappeared within the door, I stuck my head out and screamed...."Thank God for the engineers that created the Vette!" With the window now up and the light now green, the emotions of excitement, gratitude, and disbelief of how wonderful a car could be begins to build yet again. In short, unbelievable acceleration, comfort, exacting heritage and beauty is the 2006 Corvette. Definitely in a class all its own.

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  Great little car - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By kyle - March 13 - 6:07 pm

  Very nice to drive. Fun but expensive for fuel. Good for 19-20 year olds. Not a family car at all

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  "Flash" Your Friends - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By CaptainGary - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I agree with the guy who thinks the price should be raised so as to maintain an "air" of exclusivity. This is the best vehicle Ive ever owned, period. For some reason, I got her for $9850 below sticker. I guess Chevy is trying to put every other truck manufacturer out of business. I got the Z-71, leather, sunroof combination and it turns heads everyday inside and out! She can handle off-roading too. The Z-71 package is a steal. Make sure to add the 4:10s. GM can finally say it again: "MARK OF EXCELLENCE!"

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  BEWARE OF PISTON SLAP - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jack, ashton - March 13 - 10:00 am

  good overall but, defective engines, the 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, and more have defective pistons. go to website, gm piston slap. on start up sound like diesel engine, the pistons are banging up against cylinder walls. gm service bulletin 01-06-01-028. gm knows the problem, they WILL NOT FIX, says banging pistons is normal. lease do not buy. research the problem before buying. REMEMBER, GM WILL NOT FIX YOUR DEFECTIVE ENGINE.

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  Like nothing else on the road - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By dogd923 - March 13 - 7:16 am

  Got my dream vehicle this January-a yellow SSR. Always wanted one, but the expense (they ARE pricey) was holding me back. A local dealer found me an 04 SSR with 900 miles. Low mileage ones are available-since these are NOT daily drivers. New ones go for 50k, but mine was a little over half that. True,mine has the 5.3 v8-the new ones have the 6 litre Corvette motor, but they look identical, and my truck has no problem in the power department. The truck gets lots of attention,from its old school" looks, bright paint, and the throaty growl of the V8-if you dont want to attract a lot of attention-dont buy one of these-gets smiles, and thumbs up everywhere I take it.

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  The Car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jenna - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a good car for one or two children and two adults for longer rides, fits car seats great, its very easy to drive and very comfortable to ride in and ill probably keep buying these cars for a long time.

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  So far, so good. - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Nipper - March 13 - 2:00 am

  3.8 engine - smooth, quiet, and responsive. Brakes - excellent. Transmission - smooth as silk (Chrysler, take note). Solid. Styling just different enough to generate excitement, but not goofy-looking like an Aztec. Heard many positives about this 3.8 engine; now I see why. Better legroom than most. Looked very seriously at the Accord and Camry - thinking about resale - but to say those cars are not in the same class is an understatement. Dozens of features that I will enjoy that are not engineered into or offered on those two. Trade-in isnt everything - the total driving experience counts for a lot.

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  Best Mid-Size SUV Available - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By racquetball33 - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Unbelievable standard features in LTZ trim. The wifes favorite thing is the heated seats, mines the 270HP I-6. The vehicle looks soooo much better with the 17" rims and tires. My truck is the most solid Ive ever driven and it has a great turning radius, you can whip it into just about anywhere. I drove the new Explorer and (yawn) wasnt impressed. Same with the Durango. I liked the Pathfinder alot but it just didnt have all the things the TB did. The ride and drive just dont compare to anything else period