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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  cheap ugly car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By alastor421 - July 17 - 10:52 pm

  This car is an eyesore i bought it thinking it would be great on gas its not the ride is boring its cheaply made you can get something better in the same price range.The performance is lacking in all aspects of this car.

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  Awesome - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By sjenkinzz - July 17 - 10:50 pm

  Having had a couple Tahoes, this one by far is the best of them all. The looks, quality are far and above any SUV Ive owned.

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  The Chevrolet Aveo - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Susan Zimmer - July 17 - 10:38 pm

  I purchased the Chevrolet Aveo not knowing anything about the car. It turns out that I love the Aveo. You can actually enter and leave the car without falling on the ground. The Aveo drives on snow with ease to handle. Parking is easier, and pulling out of a parking space and backing out is much easier than a smaller car.

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  2005 C6 corvette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dan Dlabay - July 17 - 10:32 pm

  So far I have had a very good experience with my Corvette. This is the first Corvette that Ive owned, and I like the style, handling and performance of this car. For me it is a true sportscar that gives more bang for your buck.

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  Best and Most Fun Car Ever! - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By smcwilliams - July 17 - 8:07 pm

  This is my second Corvette, and there is no comparison to my 1997. Dont get me wrong, I loved that car and I thought it was the best, but now I have a new love. This 2005 Corvette outperforms the older model and the sound proofing is truly improved. The climate controls have also improved not only for the driver but for the passenger as well. Lastly, the touch button start is unique and very dependable. If you want to have a drive of a lifetime, buy a Covette. No one will ever regret this purchase. What power and fun!

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  Think twice about GM - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By GM...Phoey! - July 17 - 6:19 pm

  This is my first GM model and Im disappointed in its value. After 71k miles, it needed a a new manifold head gasket for $950. Dealer said that they ALL failed around that mileage and the fix only will last 3-5 years until you need a new gasket. Friends 98 Pontiac Grand Prix (same engine) died at 68K with the same problem. Brakes squeal all the time and cant keep it aligned at all. Only put on 5-6K miles a year so no "severe" driving involved. It was a good price when we got it in 2000 used, but not so sure now.

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  Hope youre a mechanic! - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By anonabombga - July 17 - 2:11 pm

  I bought this car four years ago and have had nothing but trouble. The air conditioning system is completly broken and stopped working three months after I bought it. I have replaced the radiator and thermostat twice. The brakes have always been difficult, and the transmission is slipping. The passenger seat recliner no longer works, and the rear door gets jammed all the time. It eats up gas and is constantly running hot.

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  Very Impressive - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ladym - July 17 - 2:04 pm

  I recently needed to upgrade vehicles and when test drving decided on the Malibu LT. The exterior design is a great improvment from the previous bodystyle. Having put it on the Saab chasis is the best part. The ride is incredible, very comfortable and it has excellent leg room. The 3.0 Liter V6 has as much if not more pep than my previous Mazda 626 with the 2.5 liter V6. The electronic power steering is great. Also fuel mileage averages 32+ miles per gallon in all types of driving conditions. Interior design is great, including the heated leather seats. It has a powerful stereo and I also like the side airbag safety feature that has been added. Chevrolet has won back a customer.

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  Lovin my truck - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By ahooters - July 17 - 4:41 am

  Totally in love with this truck, though it needs a little tlc I really am enjoying the time and effort I am putting into this truck. I would of never wanted a better first time truck to learn all my mechanics on. She is totally built to last and take me any where I want to go. I have had to do some routine fixing like brakes and muffler, there was a little bit of a problem with the transmission leaking but it was just a minor fall back. The body on her was immaculate and the interior is beautiful. I have taken out the middle console and am in the midst of changing the bucket seats. I am going to eventually put a bit of a lift on her but just so that 4x4 is a little bit more of an ease.

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  SSR review - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By itsbish - July 17 - 3:58 am

  I have had this truck for 6 months and it has continued to be a blast to drive. The 6 speed is a must for the fun factor. People do want to know what it is, so be ready to answer their questions. I waited until the LS2 came out before buying. Now im looking at adding a supercharger.