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:

• 

  Perfomance & Appearance - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Rose DeSisto-Canty - January 28 - 12:10 am

  The performance of the HHR is excellent I enjoy driving it. The appearence is different and very interesting. Would recommend it.

• 

  A bargain thrill ride - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Brian - January 27 - 4:51 pm

  I bought my vette used with 45k miles on the clock. Its been a hoot to drive this car when I can get in open area. Its a monster on the track, and the engine is very flexible with a superwide forgiving power band. The low end grunt makes getting it going off the line a breeze, and it has more than enough power to lay down rubber into second gear. The trunk is actually large enough to be useful for day to day driving. In fact this is my only car, and it works very well for that except for the rare occasions when I have someone flying into town. If youre looking for a powerful yet civilized ride for your day to day grind, this is it.

• 

  My 2nd Avalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Greg Pacienza - January 27 - 4:32 pm

  Great truck.Easy to drive and great on week-end trips. Bad gas mileage, but everything else makes up for that. On- star is new and a great value too.

• 

  Fits like a glove - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Phil L - January 27 - 1:25 pm

  Waited 50 years to get a Vette! I feel like Im in a jet fighter with unbridled power. The power is awesome at almost any RPM. Gets plenty of attention, especially from young kids! Love the feel of control, comfort, power. Drove 1300 miles roundtrip from NJ to SC and not an ache or pain.

• 

  2004 Aveo Automatic - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By needstutoring - January 27 - 10:00 am

  It has performed flawlessly to date. No problems whatsoever. As a large person the design is very comfortable and good gas mileage, handling, and ride.

• 

  Chevrolet Colbalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Brandon Landry - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best(no offense).I love it!Thank chevrolet for making this car.

• 

  Avalanche vs Silverado - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By charles sigmon - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Traded a 1999 silverado on this vehicle. This vehicle can do all the silverado did plus the ride is far superior. It is fully loaded and has all the creature comforts that the Cadillac EXT has with exception of stabilitrak. All for $9000 less than the EXT

• 

  Americas Sports (Super) Car! - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rauder - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This car is truly awesome!! I had a new MB SLK350 on order, but cancelled immediately after seeing this car, and test driving it! The exterior/interior design is first-class and well refined. I got the Z51 suspension with auto trans. Don’t let those 4-speeds fool you! The shifting is smooth and precise. Performance you ask? Unless you’ve flown a fighter jet, or driven a car like this, you don’t know what g- force is all about! It even has a digital g-force meter that you see by look at the head-up display that’s projected through the windshield! The taillights look like twin after- burners on an F/A 22 jet. If you buy a C6, be prepared for the instant attention this car draws.

• 

  Throttle Body failed 2 times in 3 years - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By slamamama15 - January 27 - 8:10 am

  We purchased this truck brand new Oct 2009 with the heavy duty towing package Z71 4x4. We had to put a new engine in the truck Oct 2010, after that problems continued. Dec 2010 the throttle body failed as I was driving down the highway, Stablizer, engine light, traction, lights flashed, door locks when crazy and just stopped in the middle of the interstate. Yesterday 2.17.2013 it proceeded to do it again on the interstate. Second time in 50,000 miles we have had to replace the throttle body on our fairly new truck. We have other problems including 3 window motors, mirror, rough idling, & transamission rough when switching gears. All the work has bene done at the dealers

• 

  Best car Ive owned. - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Louie - January 27 - 6:02 am

  Brought it back in 94. Dont hardly drive it anymore, but starts everytime. Uses no oil even at 175,000. Its not been babied. Skipped oil changes, 15,000 once, hard driving at times, Would think nothing about buying it again. This is the 3rd one Ive had in this style and my experince with them have all been the same. Wonderful cars to own . Gets 25 mpg,out of a V8. Everything still works on it, including AC(never recharged)even after 11 years. Ive own a 99 TA also, but I think this is a much better car. Although slower and handles worst. Ive had many offers trying to buy it from me, but its like letting an old friend go. Its also got me there and never left me stainded.