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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  rally sport - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By lore - July 28 - 8:34 pm

  car has never given us any problems and for the price its a decent car but lacks power for a so called rally influenced car

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  Power Pack V8 - 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Mike - July 28 - 7:09 pm

  Large families may need the CrewCab?

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  Whats all the complaining about? - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Bill - July 28 - 3:08 pm

  I cant believe how poorly people rate the cavalier. This car is inexpensive, fun to drive, great looking for its age (almost 10 year old design) and gets great mpg even with the 2.4 dohc. The more time you spend driving it the more you like it. If people want luxury options they shouldnt rag on the cav. Its an economy car on paper but feels like a lot more when you actually own and drive daily. Stop the complaining. Keep your delusions of grandeur to yourself. Full coverage insurance on the car is very very reasonable. I have full coverage, live in Manhattan and spend less than 1000 a year.

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  dream - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By alias - July 28 - 11:32 am

  its a blast to dreive this car!

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  It could be better, but its cool!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Im Canadian - July 28 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car in Canada, so I dont know if theyre different. Ours is a modern green hatchback 5 speed manuel with no CD player, no Sunroof, No aluminum wheels, no spoiler no nothing special. We paid about $18, 000 Canadian with insurance, taxes, and full protection package. Its an ok car for the price, better than the echo but in the sedam edition there are better vehicles(than the Aveo). The one big problm with the Aveo is its gas millaege.

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  Mileage Great - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By AttyVH - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I just drove over 3000 miles on a trip and averaged 31 mpg. Most of the trip was with the AC ON. Had all the pickup when necessary. A very confortable car to drive. With XM radio, made the trip even better.

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  Vrrrooooommm!!! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jgar58 - July 28 - 10:00 am

  great power, tranny sucks

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  worktruck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By brewbrother - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Recently purchased a 2004 Silverado worktruck package. I use it for outside sales. Comfortable to drive. Im averaging 23 mpg which I consider good for a full size truck. The v-6 has good performance and great acceleration from 3 gear through 5.First seems to be geared a little low for avewrage driving. second is wound out at 40mph. Interior is roomy and instruments and controls are always at hand. Its quite a bit better than the dodge dakota I traded.

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  daddyronhank - update - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By daddyronhank - July 28 - 9:25 am

  After nearly 4 years I still own this van. Resale value has dropped so its senseless to sell or trade. Replaced idler arms and factory recall repaired the windshield wipers. Blower motor on AC was replaced but I guess my resistor is bad since the blower does not always work (i.e. when its very hot or very cold). Cleaning the throttle body intake took care of the sticking gas pedal. Just bought a boat so the towing capacity will come in handy. Ride is rough but improved with Michelin Harmony tires. Drivers side power window sticks but stopping it before it goes all the way down seems to reduce the problem. Current brakes have nearly 30K miles but they are due for replacement.

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  Mom/family car - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Robert&April Wheeler - July 27 - 9:56 pm

  I love my car for the fact that it has saftey features on it. I wish it would of had side airbags. I now have 18,699 miles on it. We went to the tip of TX, and going down I got 34mpg. By the time we came back, I got 36, not bad. This is my first brand new car and I plan on keeping it untill 100,000 miles. I take very good care of it because I want to know that when I get rid of this car that I gave them a good car. But the thing I like about it that it has been around since 1987 and that a thief cant take my car or stereo and if we were in a wreck all electric is shut off. I am well please with our car. Just cant wait for electric/gas cars.