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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  Happy Owner - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Happy Owner - November 10 - 12:24 pm

  My Z66 Avalanche is the best truck I have ever owned, and I have had several over the years. I added a Gibson exhaust, K&N air filter and the computer adjustments. The truck runs awesome. The only problem I have had in 28,000 miles is the steering shaft, since it was replaced, nothing, not even brakes. It tows my trailer with two big bikes in it like nothing is even there. I recently added 20" wheels and I get lots of comments on the "green monster." The truck is comfortable for five adults and the ride is more like a car than a truck, very smooth. I use the fold down feature often, mostly leaving the rear window in place and folding the lower section (for ladders etc.). Excellent!!!

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  A real Jewel - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Roger - November 10 - 12:18 pm

  After driving a friends Malibu I had to consider it as one of the next cars. I was looking to purchase a Camry or an Accord, because magazines and peoples perceptions were they are the best. After driving the three cars and comparing options, ride, features, quality and saftey, and price. The Malibu was the clear winner. I am averaging 31.5 miles to the gallon. I have remote start, and passive alarm, adjustable pedals, and telescopic steering wheel, Side curtain airbags, and daytime running lights, all speed traction control, anti lock brakes, and programable features. Quailty, and reliabilty it rated over the other two by JD Powers. Saftey it Rated Highest.

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  Style and comfort - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Kingpole - November 10 - 2:51 am

  I was more than happy to be able to upgrade my Chevy vehicle from a Tracker (2WD convertible) which was fun to drive-like a golf cart, to the Avalanche. WOW! I have had it for 3 months now and enjoy every second driving it. Power, style, and smooth ride. I should mention that the stock stereo/CD system works just fine. I have Bose in the house and thought Id be spoiled and would need the Bose quality in the truck-NAH. It rocks just fine.

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  Purchased used - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By owner - November 9 - 10:23 pm

  I am 51 and the car has no seat raiser which turned me off. Also, the 2003 Malibus had an automatic shut off for the lights which this car doesnt have for some reason. The driver door locks if you get out of the car and close the door, so you need to make sure you dont leave your keys in the car. Fuel economy is poor but I am slightly biased because I wanted a Toyota Prius which has 55+ mpg. Power window controls are in the center of the car instead of on the door which is hard to get used to. The handling could be a little better, but I just learned to drive so maybe its me

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  05 Malibu LS sedan - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tarheelman - November 9 - 9:55 pm

  I considered this car and the 05 Camry LE. GMs employee pricing promotion and the Malibus excellent ride & handling balance ended up being the deciding factors because the two cars were a wash in areas like assembly quality, interior comfort, materials quality, quietness, and styling. The Camry has a slight edge in trunk room and rear seat legroom, but not enough of one to justify the price difference. Overall, the Malibu is a comfortable, fun to drive sedan with materials and assembly quality equal to that of the Camry. Also, so far (with 2600 miles on the odometer), it has been trouble- free. If youre shopping the Camry, shop the Malibu, too. It might surprise you---it did me.

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  I love this car! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Chevrolet Aveo - November 9 - 9:16 pm

  This is a perky little car. It handles beautifully, the climate control is great, the CD player and speakers are wonderful. It is very roomy, and everything I need is within reach. There is nothing about it that I dont like.

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  2006 COBALT - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By S Kirtwright - November 9 - 9:06 pm

  The Cobalt has a simple but true fact that it is easy to keep in track on the highway even in high cross wind situations. The gas mileage that I got was higher than what it was rated for, but the roads that I was traveling on were it very good condition.

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  I love my Aveo!! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By a_reality - November 9 - 7:19 pm

  A lot of people laughed at me when I announced I was buying an Aveo. However, every single one of them instantly changed their minds the moment they sat down in this little car. It is amazingly roomy and provides a nice comfortable ride. Okay, so its not a Cadillac, but its not really meant to be either. Im 62" and have plenty of head room in this little baby. Living in San Francisco where parking is a nightmare I appreciate owning a small good looking car that has the power to get up large hills, and can park just about anywhere. Id recomend this car to just about anyone who needs basic point A to point B transportation.

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  Glad I sold it before out of warranty - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By shenandoah75 - November 9 - 7:14 pm

  This vehicle was built in Mexico which may be why I had so many problems when many with 1500s are happy. Had multiple electrical problems including airbag connection shorts, EBCM (brake controller) replacement, door sensors in the latches, alternator whine in stereo, door open false inmdicators. Piece of crap, but hauled our 6000lb trailer well. Any more than that and i would have wanted the big block (which i eventually got anyway to get out of this thing). For large families who two, the ride of this vehicle cant be beet. GM can certainly engineer a vehicle, they just need to build it to hold up better.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Car Owner - November 9 - 7:07 pm