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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  What A neat car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By LaneN - March 4 - 9:20 pm

  My Maxx is one year old. No problems at all. Have made two vacation trips, amazing but true; 34 MPG highway, loaded with luggage etc. Runs at 70 MPH plus like a charm. Rides as good or better them my 2002 Buick LeSabre. Love that movable rear seat. People ask me about this car because it looks so neat. Wish I had purchased the step up model. When this one reachs about 12,000 miles will get a more up scale model, leather, etc. This one has a sun roof that is fun to use. More people should check this car out before buying other family size cars. Again, great car, great mileage. Im lovin it.

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  The Best Corvette I Ever Owned - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Kirby - March 4 - 4:28 pm

  This is my 15th Corvette (first one, a 57, in 1959). It is without any question the best in every category. Performance is awesome, and my gas mileage is above the published values.

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  AdVenture 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Osvaldo Torres - March 4 - 3:29 pm

  This van is strong , quick and extremely roomy given its short wheelbase. I have used it to tow a 21 ft. open fisherman to a ramp 20 miles away and it will perform quite well for its small engine size although it has not been designed for that kind of abuse.

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  Problems plus - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By chevyowner - March 4 - 10:08 am

  I have owned this truck for a little over two months and it has been in the shop for 25% of the time. Three times to fix a rear seal leak. The last time I was bringing it in the leakage for the transmission fell off. All this started with 1800 miles on the truck.

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  03 Trail Blazer Ext TL - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By jd4u2 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Very reliable with an excellent ride. Braking and steering take some getting used to after driving a sport sedan. Over all a very good vehicle with a great ride and interior space.

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  great - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By dan 454 - March 4 - 10:00 am

  ok performance great room like the style nice trunk room seems like a relible car

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  Malibu.......Reliable Fiamily Car? - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By kshont - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I had my malibu for a month before i traded it in for more than perfect Toyota Camry. I visited the dealership 3 times within that month to fix an annoying problem with the electronic steering. After being told to come the fourth time i decided to visit a Toyota Dealership. I brought a new Camry LE V6 the same and i dont have any problems within the last 2 months. Buyer beware!!

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  horrible - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By daviddandersonsr - March 4 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle leaks loads of dust into the cab and bed, the torque is too low for large loads, the storage boxes on the outside of the bed are useless(leak dust and water), back seat room is very limited for an adult on an extended road trip, dvd player doesnt rotate to side views(you have to sit in the middle of the rear seat), rear radio controls are confusing to use, exterior plastic trim is poorly attached to the body and makes a lot of noise at road speed because it buffets in the wind, seats are hard and impossible to adjust to a comfortable position, you cannot load a 4-wheeler in the bed.

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  Worn out large car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By vonyesh - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Driver seat in the 6 Passenger seating was worn out by 50k miles. Car has no get up and go when cruising. Boring dash. Good sightlines. Big size with great gas mileage. Large trunk. Turn signals do not work all of the time.

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  04 TAHOE LT - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By JohnandRebecca - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I am not a big fan of SUVs. I was in market for a mini-van. However after allowing myself the opportunity to test drive this vehicle I was sold. It had more room for my children, more versatility for those weekend baseball games and soccer games, and when it came down to a road trip the comfort factor could not have been matched. With the included features such as on- star, it gives you plenty added ease of mind. Also good to mentions are the XM radio and the Bose sound system. If you are going to pick up a Tahoe, opt for the LT. Avoid the 4WD option, unless needed. It will just run up maintainence costs. the 2WD can tow quite a load on its own merits.