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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  I love this car - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Andrea - August 6 - 2:06 am

  I love this car. Its perfect for city driving. The interior is so roomy and designed to look sporty. The exterior has a futuristic sort of look to it. Ive had one problem with it. Whenever I accelerate from a complete stop, it makes a popping noise. Still a fabulous car!

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  Very Good - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Buckstein - August 6 - 2:00 am

  Best SUV I have ever owned. I have had many SUVs and this by far is the best. Excellent in the snow. Great fun to drive.

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  What moron forgot the spare tire? - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By J. T. Solomon - August 5 - 10:16 am

  No spare, no jack, a can of fix-a-leak "good luck" once you fill the tire with that fix-a-flat the tire and rim become one. Sure you need room for the "DEF" tank but there sure is enough room for a donut and tool kit. Another thing , try to find the correct wheel. The diesel wheel is different from the regular gasoline cruze due to the larger calipers. Other then that the Chevrolet Cruze is a damn good car...

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  my favorite car - 1994 Chevrolet Beretta
  By fanta-c-nurse - August 5 - 2:00 am

  my 4th beretta-this 94 berettaZ26 in aqua metallic is the ultimate.never once did it give me any grief.i treated it with equal respect and never missed any maintenance on it,always washed and waxed it.at 10 yrs old people still stopped me to compliment me on her.not saying i do,but i could take corners and freeway ramps at 80mph and never lose control of her.she was always the first one off a light without hesitation.there was no vehicle i couldnt pass on the freeway with her.sure you felt the bumps with her but thats the price you pay for the stiff suspension.i sold her yesterday to my nephew my new tracker will never live up to my beretta

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  Lots of room. - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By thedriver - August 5 - 2:00 am

  We purchased an Astro AWD because we needed a 4WD and a van. The van drives well in slippery conditions. We have had it in the garage several times for fuel, tranny and brake problems. Our Astro has several engine oil leaks.

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  Excellent car for young, wild drivers - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By anusia - August 5 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car that I have ever had. It is very comfortable and I really enjoy rididng it. At the time that I bought it, it was the only yellow car that I saw and I took it. I dont regret it and would recommend it for any type of population. If its young or old the car is really perfect for anybody. I wouldnt trade it for any car.

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  everything I thought it would be - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Ted the Pool Man - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I test drove the Escalade and the Avalanche.....the money difference was a factor but not primary. The Escalade was great loved it.....but the Avalanche seems just as good, saved allot of money and after 30 days is great.

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  A real head turner - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By juguetico - August 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a really fun truck to drive. It is great on the freeway as well as off- road. the emergency brake and all 4 brake pads had to be changed at 45,000.

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  Turns Heads, fun to drive! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Happy in Kentucky - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful truck! I get lots and lots of positive comments everywhere I go. " Is it an SUV or a Truck?, How does it change? I work as a trainer and consultant covering several states. It has a comfortable ride similar to my suburban with better mileage 18.5 + on the road. Can get up and go too! Never had to do anything to it except, buy gas, change the oil and replace a flat tire. Very versital, fun to drive. Only complaint I have is that the spare tire is a 16" and the rest of the tires are 17". Go figure! Recommend Highly!

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  Quality and Design of the 2003 Malibu - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jeklv - August 5 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought our 2003 Malibu last September. After driving a G20 conversion van for 10 years, it took some getting used to driving a smaller vehicle. But, after that initial adjustment period, we are very happy with our new Malibu. The build quality, appearance, and performance are top notch, and the car is a lot of fun to drive. I highly recommend this car to anyone who is looking for a high quality, mid-size, family sedan.