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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  Corvette Forever - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Sfore - October 14 - 4:40 am

  I had bought 1976 Vette when I had graduated from college and had the car until kids came along. Now the kids are out of college and a 2005 Vette is back in my life. This car is fantastic. The performance and handling is phenominal. I took it to Pocono Raceway for a track day and this car blew me away. I will always have a Vette in my garage

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  3.1 L V-6 Disaster for GM - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By 3.1 L V-6 Disaster - October 14 - 3:09 am

  Bought car new in 1998. Many repairs right from start. Fuel injectors, AC switch,4 Break pads, alternater, Lower manifold gasket ($650), more fuel injectors, purge valve, fuel pressure regulator, trottle control valve.GM should junk this motor before it drives them and me into bankrupcy. My next car will be foreign like my friends who laugh at me. I have 63000 miles

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  Richs Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Richard Hess - October 14 - 1:23 am

  I really love this truck! It handles like a sports car, and rides smooth. Nice and peppy. But economical for a truck! Also, it has a real nice look to it.

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  Best van out there - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Seth Young - October 13 - 10:21 pm

  This is our first van, and it is great! The exterior is beautiful, and the interior is just as nice! Im 6- 4" and I have more than enough room for my head and legs. The controls are well placed and easy to understand. The power is more than sufficient, and the vehicle handles wonderfully! We got ours for $20.900.00 and Im sure well get every penny out of it.

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  Poor gas mileage - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By larry - October 13 - 9:44 pm

  Overall ratings for my Trailblazer are poor. Gas mileage is horrible. Only getting 11.9 miles to the gallon. Uncomfortable seatbelts mounted into the seat makes it difficult if you arent the perfect build. Noted headliner falls down leaks water onto the pass side floor from unknown source.

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  Family cruiser - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By family dude - October 13 - 8:55 pm

  My Cavalier gets me and the family everywhere we need to go. In this hectic world, a dependable vehicle means the world to me. I feel confident and safe in my new Chevy!

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  Perfect for the Price - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Scott - October 13 - 6:08 pm

  This is a perfect little car if youre looking for something affordable, not too flashy, but still reliable. I have the manual transmission and although it was listed at 28 mpg in the city, I get 31 consistently and nearly 40 mpg on the highway. If its lacking anything, its top speed, but the speed limit is 75 anyway, right? If you dont feel like spending $17,000 just so you can say you drive a Civic, buy yourself an Aveo. Its every bit as fun to drive, versatile, roomy, and a lot cheaper.

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  Angel - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By angel - October 13 - 4:03 pm

  This is great little car, expecially as a first car for a teenager. My daughter really enjoys driving it. It has been great on gas, and is reliable. The dealership was very informative about the car as well.

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  I love my little bird! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By kimcan84 - October 13 - 2:33 pm

  This car is so much fun to drive! It may not be the most powerful little car in the world, but it gets me where I need to be. Its super comfortable (at least from where Im sitting). I love that I can raise and lower the drivers seat. The stereo system is pretty nice as well (MP3 cd player).

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  2005 LS Review - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By mc58 - October 13 - 2:25 pm

  Bought the last 05 Impala LS off the lot, and very happy with car to date. I average about 26MPG overall (comb city & hw miles. CAr has all options except the Sport appearance pkg - dont care for that tail-lamp look anyhow. Very responsive and has good handling. Interior materials a bit on cheap side, like center console plastic. Surprising very few rattles. Leather seats firm but comfortable. Shopped around for a big back seat - this one fits 3 across no problem. Solid feel overall - very pleased.