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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  Good Reliable Car - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By rns - February 23 - 6:24 pm

  I have had this car since late 1999 and the car has lived up to my needs. It has been reliable and without any mechanical difficulties, with only routine maintenance and normally replaced items like the tires and battery. The mileage is down from new when I got 20/29, now I get 17/28, not bad for a car with 80k miles.

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  Awesome for $7800!! - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By sharkbite - February 23 - 4:20 pm

  Well for $7800 brand new you just cant bet this ride! I averaged around 34mpg on the first tank!! Great room inside with a big car feel. Remember folks this is an economy car. Lifetime oil changes and free 24 hour roadside help makes this a no brainer!!

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  My Faithful BU - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bryan200k - February 23 - 3:01 pm

  I got it for the gas mileage and just the right size for me, inside and out. The seats could be more comfortable. Gas mileage, I average between 27.5 and 30 mpg. Once got 35.9 on a trip. Have recurring klunks and thunks in the suspension. Ive had the 1 & 2 setting on blower switch go out, and the AC compressor shuts down without warning. The lighter weight of the car is a curse in the wind. Some decent wind, and I have to work the wheel to keep her on the road. Other than fuel pump shutting down, the engine and transmission have been smooth, consistent and no problems, and at 146,000 miles is still running and shifting like a low-mileage car.

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  Great SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By 07tahoeguy - February 23 - 2:01 pm

  Hands down currently the best overall Full Size SUV on the market today. If you havent had a test drive yet, get out there. One Warning, if you drive it, you will be sold. GM has stepped it up, Gen 3 is the real deal.

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  Reliable - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Chris Jones - February 23 - 1:43 pm

  I drive my car harder and farther than most people yet, I have had this car for 4 years and have never had a problem. Handles OK in snow w/ 4WD, would be better w/ a heavier back end.

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  Solid performer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Scott - February 23 - 11:43 am

  This is the wifes daily driver. It was a good combination of size, space and cost. Overall very reliable, the only issues weve had were known to GM : A/C sensor causing A/C to not function intermittently and reverse lamp not lighting intermittently. Both issues were addressed free of charge within warranty. In order to utilize fold-down seats, front seats must be pulled forward. This is a problem for me (61" tall), and basically makes that feature useless on long trips.

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  2010 Equinox - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jane - February 23 - 12:43 am

  Overall great vehicle, excellent styling & interior appointments - at this price point. The LTZ 6 cylinder is very solid & a pleasure to drive. Very well equipped even at base model. GM has a hit a home run with this one. I would highly recommend this vehicle. The ride is quiet & firm; great visibility from elevated crossover seating

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  Ive never had a problem. - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Psychpilot - February 22 - 8:30 pm

  I was very hesitant to buy this "hybrid" SUV/Pickup. I need a truck, but not all the time. The dealer made a great offer. I am very, very pleased with the Avalanches performance and reliability. There are only two things I can nitpick about ... the fuel economy (which is the same for all pickups) and the big turning radius. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

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  Corvette - Americas car - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By dan - February 22 - 6:06 pm

  I love the Corvette convertible. Its design is so simple and effective, and the fact its a convertible makes it even more visually appealing. Having put a new sound system in, it completes the car, making it an ultimate luxury to drive in. A truly wonderful car.

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  Great truck but a gas guzzler - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dee - February 22 - 2:08 am

  The truck runs great and the ride is comfortable with excellent handling. Only complaint is that gas mileage is very poor and visibility when backing up is horrible