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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  Not sure on this one.. - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By lindzabu - October 2 - 8:16 pm

  I bought an 06 Monte Carlo LT about a year ago. I loved it when I first bought it, but later Im starting to double think this car. The shifter button sticks, thus causing the key not to come out of the ignition at times..Had to replace my Power Steering already, AND Im starting to have transmission problems...Its sad, and the parts are so expensive! It looks cool, however. And I love the power it shoots out for a V6. I wouldnt recommend this vehicle to anyone with toddlers, or infants. Its hard to get in and out of the backseat. Ive owned this for a year, and Im selling it for something more reliable.

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  LT Sedan - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Iffos - October 2 - 6:55 pm

  I bought my 2009 LT sedan Aveo back in May before the cash for clunkers. I love the car for the most part. Mines more of the sport version with a small spoiler, sun roof, leather seats, Alloy rims and a nice deck. Im just about to hit 9k cause I bought mine with 3k on it. It still running great I like the sedan way more then the hatch back because you get more room. Im always hitting 30 mpg and on the highway Im hitting about 34 mpg. Great looking sedan. This was a 2009 Aveo built in 2008.

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  Safe Basic Transportation - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Cobalt Owner - October 2 - 4:40 am

  I got the 4dr Cobalt LT and am pleased with the car so far. The MPG is 24-25 in mixed driving. I have out about 600 miles on it. It took a while to find one that had AntiLock brakes and cruise but I finally did. I was able to get a GM card rebate of 2000 and a GM owner loyalty rebate of 1000 and the standard rebate of 1000 so I walked out of the dealership paying 11200 cash. MSRP Sticker was 16650 with transportation. I am pleased that side airbags were made standard for 2008 (antilock brakes should be too IMHO) The car is quiet compared with a Dodge Caliber I recently rented. Also the Cobalt shifts smoothly. The light grey interior will get dirty fast I think. Back seat is real tight.

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  Good truck, dont expect miracles!! - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By PaulM141 - October 1 - 1:11 pm

  Overall, GM did a great job with this redesign. The wife and kids love the interior. Have the Rear DVD for the kids, and I will say it is a godsend. Ride is really good, nice and smooth. Decent fit and finish. I think GM could have done better with the gas mileage. I know this is a 6,000lb truck, and I expected poor economy, but I am averaging 11-13mpg regularly around town. I hoped cruising the interstate in primarily V4 mode would help, but alas 16-18mpg on the highway. Great utility in this truck, just be aware that odds are you will get 15mpg on average, and that gets worse with E85 fuel. Other than that I love this truck, but costs to drive are too high for me.

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  First car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Chris - October 1 - 11:00 am

  I bought this car used, and the main purpose is to get me from work and back. This is my first car, and after training in other vehicles I can say that I fit in this car very comfortably, more so than my folks old Cougar, my friends new Solara, or the last Sentra I sat in. Ive had other Chevy owners (mostly pickups) call it cute, and then look shocked when they see a 62" football build guy come out of it. The sound is great, everything works just fine. Passing cars in Upstate NYs hilly roads is an everyday thing so I love the V6 engine and the power behind it. The safety features (ABS, Traction Control, Multiple airbags, passive anti-theft, etc) assured the folks that Id be just fine.

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  My "01SLP SS - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 01 SS/68 400 - October 1 - 10:04 am

  I got the car a few months ago from a guy that had barely decided to sell it. I jumped on it and got the car for $6k. It is T-Top, 6 speed standard, LS1 engine, and all stock, (which I highly recommend people get, A stock car). Once I got the car, the clutch went out. I just decided to park the car and mod it. I barely got done working car and its great! I love it to death! I put 3" flowmaster super 44 american thunders, 3" slashed tips,a SLP cold air set up, Edelbrock headers,(which dropped the 0-60 time by 1 FULL SECOND!),pistol grip Hurst shifter and short throw, Eiback springs,Moroso shocks and oil pan,Vette injectors, and 18" Z06 black vette rims. I blacked the car out!

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  Good ,But Not GREAT. - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By FlaBear - October 1 - 12:02 am

  I bought this car at the height of the high gas prices. Expected HUGE gas savings. BUT I have never gotten better than 18mpg in the city,and that is driving no pedal to the metal ever. Fun driving drops it even more. I got better mileage in the truck I traded in for this car. Mechanically it is solid. But trim pieces fade fast,paint is easily scratched,hatch release lever has broken 10 times! All fixed under warranty. But now warranty is gone,and minor things are wearing fast. Nothing major,yet. Kind of fun to drive. Easy to add options that 99% other Aveos dont have. Like FACTORY side molding, tint,aftermarket wheel covers,and graphics kits. Easy to park,and lots of storage in the HB.

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  Happy Camper - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Happy Customer - September 30 - 1:37 pm

  I bought new in early 09, had a 01 Malibu w/ over 260k mi. Wanted the XFE, 1LT package. It took a bit to find car. after delivery, I found it comfortable, roomy for that size of car, great mileage, 36 has been my low, 40.9 has been high. I drive 150 a day, commuting to work. gas usage went from 5 gal a day to 3.2. started with Mobil 1 a 5k mi. went 11.2k to second oil change. I drive at 60 - 65mph, keep foot off the floor, expect over 200k and not a lot of cost. good car! also set up car for towing behind motorhome. Great Towed

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  I LOVE IT!! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By KEVIN A . TAYLOR - September 30 - 10:00 am

  IVE HAD MY AVALANCH FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW. GAS MILAGE ISNT GREAT BUT FEASABLE. I AVERAGE ABOUT 350 MILES A TANK. ABOUT $47 TO FILL UP FROM EMPTY AT ABOUT $1.79 A GALLON. REGULAR UNLEADED SEEMS TO PERFORM BEST IN THE ENGINE. POWER IS GOOD ALTHOUGH THROTTLE RESPONSE COULD STAND TO BE A TAD BETTER. SOME OF THE INTERIOR IS SOMEWHAT CHEAP BUILD BUT MANAGEABLE.

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  Why this? - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By wtk - September 30 - 10:00 am

  The car has only one cup holder that is too little and not deep enough. The windshield control is on a lever on the wrong side of steering wheel. The mufflers both rattle, like a model T ,and there is no fix for it. The right door rattles. Right window leaks in car wash. Most of time takes 2 trys to start it.