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:

• 

  Best SUV Money could buy - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By richard cechak - July 12 - 2:00 am

  It drives like a cadilac and can do what a hummer can do with ease and style. Chevy has made a miralce mobile with this vehicle. It allows me to have a beach front property wherever I go with the versitility.

• 

  3 Ton Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By john richard - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Second one weve owned. First was an "02 model. Luv the ride/handling & passenger comfort. Very versatile as a road car or a towing/hauling truck. Plenty of power. Sun roof & satelite sound option a must plus powered & heated leather seats. Fuel economy is what you would expect with a 5700 pound truck 14/18.5 mpg.

• 

  Suburban 2003 - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By janice hetherington - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Highly recommend to families. Provides ample leg room for everyone. Although truck is big in size, we have found it easy to manuever. The trunk storage is fantastic. Negatives...hard to step into. Gas mileage in city...not great.

• 

  Driving Pleasure - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By J SLADEK - July 12 - 2:00 am

  I have owned and driven many different makes and models including BMWs. The Chevrolet Corvette is by far the most exciting and fun to drive.

• 

  had it for 3months wonderful car - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By tweef - July 11 - 8:39 pm

  purchased my 2001 monte carlo ss 3 months ago from a orginal was scared at first car has 204k but after test driving fell in love with only thing i have done to it so far is brakes,oil,radiator flush other then that it been reliable only common problem with them is transmission thank the previous owner had it rebuilt few months before i bought gas is i drive 30miles a day gas is wonderful i put premium in it last me close to 8 days off da full tank this wont be that last monte carlo i own previous car i have owned were chevy astros95,98an till 2003 was lemon sold it bought my mc

• 

  2006 SS Supercharged - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By An0malous - July 11 - 5:26 pm

  An amazingly fun vehicle to drive. Put a cold air intake on this car, and it will howl and whine to the tune of your right foot. Handling and braking are superior, thanks to some very nice suspension, and a sticky set of pirelli Pzero tires. The potential of the peppy 2.0L engine is enhanced by aftermarket support by GM, covered under warranty, allowing you to comfortably reach 241hp. If you can control yourself to keep your foot out of it, it will reward you with a surprising 36-40mpg at highway speeds. Overall Im extremely happy with my 06 SS/supercharged Cobalt.

• 

  been great for me - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By mikal2 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck new. It fits my needs well. The truck has been back to the dealer twice for minor repairs, one muffler and one hyd.line. It averages 22mpg consistently, and will get 26+ in extended highway driving. I have used Amsoil since the first oil change,and have experienced no oil loss to note. I did have to replace the radio in 2002, when the cd player quit working. The lever for the drivers side seatback broke shortly after purchase, due to poor design, and inferior materials. Overall, I have been satisfied with it.

• 

  2nd Prism - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By roedl161 - July 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Prism. My first lasted 10 years with no major problems. This Prism is now 4 years old and makes noises the last one didnt. I have also had it into my mechanic oftener for wobbles at higher speeds, a problem which has never been completely solved. Car just dosent seem as well made as my first one. Thanks for this site to air opinions.

• 

  NEVER buy again - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Cavalier hater - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car from my mechanic in 2000. I have had nothing but problems with it since purchasing it. I had to replace the transmission, I have had leaks in the oil and radiator. The A/C works, but using it causes the car to overheat. Problems w/ the starter and acceleration, very noisy. Speakers on the drivers side dont work, door panneling is falling off, and locks are falling off. This car is in the shop every 3-4 months. I had a 87 Olds that drove better and needed less repairs. My b/f has a 2001 Cavalier and is having problems with it as well. I wouldnt recommend buying this car used.

• 

  Awesome to drive! - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Tracy Nelson - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for eight years and enjoyed every minute of it, my teenage daughter even loves it! Its comfortable, reliable, good on gas, and stylish. I can put it pretty much wherever I want it whether I am in traffic or parking. I highly recommend this car unless you are over about 64", I imagine it might be a little too cramped up then. My husband is that tall and is comfortable in it.