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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  Excellent First Impression - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By William - December 23 - 7:07 am

  Bought this 2005 Tahoe Z-71 just over three weeks ago, after years of Ford SUVs and most recently a Sequoia. Impressed with the smooth power and ride of this vehicle, XM radio and OnStar system. Seats are comfortable, four-wheel drive system is excellent and Bose speakers are top notch. Surprisingly, the quality seems as good as the Sequoia initially, and better than the Fords Ive had (Expeditions, Explorers, an Escape and a Mercury Mountaineer). Like the conservative styling. SUVs are primarily designed to be functional, not beautiful though this is an attractive, rugged looking vehicle in Z-71 trim.

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  2014 Chevy Work truck model.((Nice truck)).....BUT! - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By chevy1989 - December 23 - 3:52 am

  Bought this truck pre-owned and now i know why! the 1st guy had been shaken to death! Befor he hit 200 miles ha.Trucks Nice but dang if it dont ride like a wagon.And the engine which is a V6 that goes to the 2 Cylinder on highway.....Yeah right!!! When i got it, it rode alright.But now after 4000 miles on the OD Dang thing cant make up its mind on what it wants to do? Or which gear to stay in? It Vibrates at every speed and Rides rough. I paid alot money for a wagon with a engine on it! I could done that myself

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  Perfect size truck,Impressed. - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By CRUZIN BILL - December 22 - 10:06 pm

  I have the Z-85 extended cab.It is a great truck.The I-5 cyclinder 220 hp is really gutsy.If your looking for a mid size truck,this is the one for you.As you can see i love everything about this truck.The S-10 is no match for this one.This is a real cruiser.Check out my ratings.

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  My gift - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Brenda - December 22 - 8:16 am

  This vehicle was a gift to me for my fortieth birthday. The features in my Venture are exactly what I was looking for. Lots of room and storage. comfortable seats. The only thing that I have to get used to is if the interior lights are on in the evening the reflection is right in the rearview mirror and very hard to see. Other than that I am very pleased with my Venture. The person who got this gift for me had looked at minivans for six months and out of the dozens that they test drove and examined this one was their pick. Liked the feature of the air filter. I had not heard of this in a van, but think this will help keep the freshness of the van. Also will help my son with asthma.

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  Quit making it cheaper - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Wall - December 22 - 2:46 am

  GM keeps raising the price and removing quality from the interior. I have had a 2003, 2004 and now a 2005. In 04 they took the nice carpeting and replaced it with the flat cheap stuff they use now. For 05 they took away the nice chevy floor mats and put in cheap $5 Walmart specials and took away the double visors. For 05 they also changed the rear end options you cant get the 3.73 anymore you get either a 4.10 or 3.42. They also took away the nice dark charcoal seats leaving you with tan or light gray. Both will show the dirt. I pulled the nice mats out of my 04, even dirty they look better than the cheap 05s. Someone should slap their beancounters. Its a $40000 vehicle. Stop already!

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  Good, reliable transportation - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Steve Goldman - December 21 - 11:40 pm

  I bought this vehicle in May of 2003, and have had no major issues. The only minor issue I had (Check engine light came on), the dealer took care of. I find the car to be quite comfortable, and more than sufficient power. It is basic, but considering the cost difference vs the Camry, I did not feel like I was sacrificing much.

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  Great car...few minor issues - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Daddy to my kids - December 21 - 3:56 pm

  Love the car. Had it for 800 miles now. Avg. mileage (65% city 35% highway) has been 28.7 mpg, better than advertised. The car is quiet and comfortable, although some wind noise around front doors is present on highway. I wanted seating for 6, although the front middle seat is not usable for much more than short hops. Trunk is huge, easily swallowing our stroller, other bags, groceries and more. I have a "knocking" noise when going over certain bumps similar to a loose tie rod. Will have dealer look at it. Brakes pulsed when new, dealer turned the rotors stating rust needed to be removed as the car had been on their lot a while. Still, Im glad I got the car.

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  1st Chevy - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By paul - December 21 - 2:16 pm

  Drove my son to college, couldnt fit everything, roof guard rails not too functional, window controls in awkward area. If using emergency brake must remove item in cup holders. Lousy steering, clunking noise in front. Engine serviced 3 times and cant fix it. Exhaust noisy when first starting the car. Seats uncomfotable, head rests slanted. Visibility through rear view mirror poor. Dash board cheap looking. Compared to my Ford Escape 2003 (same price point) not even close. Wont buy another Chevy

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  Truly an American Revolution - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By SomeGuy - December 21 - 2:13 pm

  Just bought the 08 LTZ. Very great car. Now, I didnt start off with anything great, but this is a very solid car. Style is great, its distinctive without being too outlandish. Interior is awesome, Ive gotten many compliments on the two tone leather. Plenty of power, so its not a dull driver. If your looking at a midsize car, and dont feel like being Accord/Camry no. 4574 on your block, this is a good buy. Even if your deadset on the Honda, Id step into a Chevy dealer, if only to find out what else is out there. You might be surprised

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  2004 Chev Aveo - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jcbogie65 - December 21 - 10:00 am

  We bought the car for our daughter. It is a great little car and she loves it.