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 like a rock - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By lovethetruck - February 24 - 12:16 pm

  Great all around truck for me. Love the exterior, sharper than all of the competition. The interior isnt anything special, but its a truck, not a Cadillac. On long trips my right leg sits uncomfortable due to the transmission hub while using the cruise. But, I am 64". I dont haul much, so it was a great fit. Engine has plenty of power and does all that I ask of it. I dont hot rod around town but when I press the gas, its always been there. Feels like it has more if I needed it. Very fun in snow. The truck brakes well, it doesnt seem to nose-dive at quick stops (could be the Z71 suspension). I averaged 20 mpg all around for the last year. Not one regret since I bought.

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  Got to Love it ! - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Sean - February 24 - 10:14 am

  I purchased this vehcile for two reasons. First just always wanted one, Ive always owned GM products from my 69 Camaro, 71 Chevelle, Sonoma pick up, to Grand Prix and multiple other vehicles. Second of all safety for my large family and towablity.

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  Lemone - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Tyler - February 24 - 2:30 am

  I have owned the car less than 6 months and had a tie rod end go out, the shifter break, the lights will occasionally turn off and then back on - on a dark night, the tranny will go to a super stall mode on occasion, CV axle go bad. There is a lot of road and door-side noise (from poor manufacturing - sealing). Other than that... it gets approximately 28 MPG AVG. The motor has a little bit of spunk to it, and a high end speed is very comfortable, and you dont feel like your losing control of the vehicle. 60-85 feels relatively the same, 85 - top some extra noise, but very controllable. Brakes are very responsive. Any speed over 60 MPH, and gas mileage drops dramatically though.

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  Luxurious Four Wheel Drive - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By LAURAINZER - February 24 - 2:00 am

  After seeing the Avalanche I had to do some research to find out if it was as good as it looked. After research I went to test drive it...all it took was to drive it around the parking lot and I bought it!! This is the most unique, most reliable, most fun vehicle ever. Only in America would you find Luxury, Leather, 4 Wheel Drive, SUV/Truck that drives more smoothly than most cars! I have driven this vehicle in snow, mud, on road, and off...it drove so well and incredibly smooth. It simply feels like you are riding in a Limo with the power to go anywhere in any weather. Everything about it is incredible.

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  "THE CAR" - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Robert E - February 24 - 2:00 am

  THERE HAS BEEN NONE OTHER CAR TO MATCH "THE CORVET." The covet is a class of its own rite and makes many copy-cats, but they fall short. The only other car that I would compare the "VET" was my porche 944/928. However, the "Prowler is really an eye stopper, makes my heart skip a beat. The "VET" has the speed, stability, STYLE and many wanting eyes craving it. When you drive up in a Corvet people take notice and have to say something to you or give you the thums up.

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  Very Good Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By gunnin4six - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Truly enjoy driving this vehicle. Mileage has been surprisingly high for a truck this size (16-20mpg), and that includes 2000 miles a year towing a 2500lb boat. The quality has been a slight disappointment, it has been to the shop on 5 seperate occasions for minor warranty repairs over the first 2 years. Also, the interior is made up of a fair amount of cheap plastic. All and all, its a very good truck, and still the best true sport utility out there.

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  This is bad all the way - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By flyer - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Thought I would try G.M. one more time. What a mistake. I feel like a fool. Same junk theyve always been known for. Im stuck with this piece of crap for 4 years. Next time back to DODGE, THE RAM.

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  Good Family Hauler - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Al_in_OK - February 23 - 11:01 pm

  Bought this SUV with 83K miles at 4 yrs old. Only major problem we had was a fuel pump/filter that died while on vacation--yuck! Mechanic said it happens to 1/2 of these beasts after 100K. Other normal maintenance and tires used, but nothing else to report. Besides the 16 MPG, we love this SUV. Looking into conversion to bi-fuel on propane or gasoline to save money in the long run.

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  Nice Job Chevrolet - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Steve - February 23 - 10:03 pm

  We picked up our Black SS this last week. Were impressed with the car, very quiet, very powerful, and the interior and exterior fit and finish is a huge step up for GM. Love the power and handling. Lots of features for the money such as OnStar, heated seats, Bose sound system, XM radio, leather and power sunroof. Would like rear view mirrors to be larger and Chevrolet to offer a navigation and DVD player as well as auto climate control, but quite nice as is. We like our SS. Compared to Dodge Charger and Ford 500, Ford is underpowered and Dodge, while great HEMI power, lacks fit and finish and refinement of SS. Would like Chevrolet to implement rear drive for next Impala

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  Aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By JV - February 23 - 7:30 pm

  I love my car. All of my friends laugh when they see me in my little yellow car but then when they see my gas bills I get the last laugh. Also, I can fit so much stuff in that car. My sisters four kids all fit and two of them are in car seats. People just dont believe it until they see it. And I have fit TWO 63" men in the back seat of my car with a third passenger in the back seat and they werent sitting with their knees up to their chins either. I just love my car, it is quiet and smooth and it is really cool. It is just great.