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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  Bargain American Car - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Vernon - September 7 - 1:06 am

  If youre under six foot tall, this is a great USA little car. It has excellent acceleration, very good fuel mileage easy cruising 70 to 90 mph with great handling. This car continues having no troubles what so ever. Furthermore, GM is using good quailty paint which was not the case for my old 87 S-10.

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  New car - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By pacecar590 - September 7 - 12:41 am

  I traded a 1999 Corvette coupe for the 2005. I loved the 99, but the 05 is a giant leap forward. Great build quality, easier drivability. A well done upgrade to a beautiful car.

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  Good car for the money - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By hotboy71 - September 6 - 4:29 pm

  I purchased an 2005 Cavalier Coupe 9 months ago. So far, I dont think I have ever driven a 4 cyl car with as much pep and yet still sips gas like this car. Although the cars fit and finish are antiquated, at best, I feel I could have done a lot worse. A buddy of mine just bought an 05 Nissan Sentra SE-R and I would take my Cavalier in a minute over that. You think the materials used on the Cavalier are cheap? Try the Nissan and see what you get! Everythings made of hard, thin plastic. My view of the Cavalier, good car for the money.

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  Excellent - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Z71 - September 6 - 12:53 pm

  A great truck and great handling vehicle. Built well and strong.

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  My Neat Baby - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Mo Laffin - September 6 - 4:38 am

  This car is the most efficient Ive had in the last 10 years..(and Ive had 4!) Its very reliable, and very low maintenance...something to be really happy about. Getting in is very comfortable, like a little jeep--easy because higher up--just sliding in, and actually is higher up, a great feature when riding through a partially flooded street! My baby Aveo is my buddy !

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  MONTE - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By T STANGO - September 6 - 2:00 am

  GREAT AUTO

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  Great full size car but has some flaws - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Chevyman??!!?? - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Overall a great car, roomy. Good everyday high mileage car. Water leaks at wheel wells-Water puddled in rear foot area-Rear wheel wells had to be sealed. Keyless entry stopped working-1 week wait. Dealer used wrong transmission fluid after servicing-transmission slipping- Extended warranty will take care of this. Cheezy cup holders will break apart repeatedly with bench seat. Developed back problems because no lumbar support-lubar support pillow in driver seat helped me recover. Only 25 mi/gal with 3.4L engine- should get 34 on highway- should have bought the 3.8L engine. Headlamp shroud came loose, had to replace headlight assembly = $250 @ dealer.

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  Trailblazer LTZ - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By heather - September 6 - 1:48 am

  Gas mileage not very good, for the first few months got 9 mpg, now, in third year of ownership it is getting 13 mpg. Still has not reached the 15 city 20 highway that was on the window sticker! Lots of little things never did or do work right, even after telling the dealership. Example: the mirrors on the side of the vehicle take on a life of their own and move and readjust so that they are rarely in place when you need them. Other than that, the vehicle looks okay, but I would not buy it again.

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  My Aveo called Zippy - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Adorah - September 6 - 1:44 am

  We have show dogs and just love this zippy little car. We just put 2 fold down crates and 2 soft crates and 4 days of suplys to show the 2 dogs for 4 days after we drove 8 hours one way. We saved so much in gas that we got to step out for a real nice dinner. We will be useing this new car for a wile to head to dog shows. Oh, and the dogs we show are Afghan Hounds they are about 50 lbs. each and about 26 inches tall. The back seats come out to make lots of room.

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  Better then SUV for a trailer and kids - 2004 Chevrolet Express
  By Chris - September 6 - 1:18 am

  We needed the ability to tow a trailer and carry 7. All the SUVs we looked at had a back seat that you must get into like a 2 door car. All the small vans cannot tow a trailer. We found that conversion vans are the best fit. What a pleasure to drive and tow (its like the trailer is not there). This has lots of power - even on the hills a smoth ride and handles like a smaller vehicle. We test drove the Ford and found it nice - but you never forgot you had a truck under you, also we could not get the 4th door. Gas mileage is not as bad as I feared - 13mpg with trailer, 19 on the open road,14/15 every day.