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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  Great Buy - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By cjparnell - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Yet Another Great Dependable car buy GM

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  Awesome - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jiterbug83 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  It is so rad The gas car tires windows and everything. I love to sit in it all the time.

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  mikey - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By MKFransay - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I had a great time!

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  98 blazer bought used - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By SSweet9C1 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1998 blazer LS 4 door 4WD used last january (04) with 100,000 miles on it, it had new brakes (rotors and pads) and new ball joints.. since then i have done nothing to it other than normal maintenance and it is a pleasure to drive. excellent stopping power and reasonable acceleration VS fuel mileage

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  Alright, but dont run and buy one - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By HipHop - March 8 - 2:00 am

  3 people I know bought blazers within 3 monthes of getting this one, all three have had the exact same problems at the exact same mileage meaning the overall quality is terrible, the ride is too stiff for as bad as the truck handles - all the interior pieces rattle when you drive anywhere - can get beat (speed wise) by most any car on the road

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  Fun Little Car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Bud K - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 2000 Cavalier and after looking at other options decided to buy another Cavalier, I was also given some heafty discounts and rebates my car payment is lower, Insurance the same and this time I bought every option I could including Power Windows, XM radio and lots of gingerbread The Car is WONDERFUL, more zip, better handling but the major factor I bought this car is I have the BEST service guys at my Dealer anyone could ask for.

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  my tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By lorelei - March 8 - 2:00 am

  ive had no trouble at all with my new tahoe. i live where it snows, and my tahoe handles excellent in the snow. i even drove on about 1 1/2 in. thick ice and i still felt safe while driving. i love transporting my family everywhere.

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  8.1Liters of Power and Fun - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By EJ - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Still in the first 500 miles of ownership. Got the 8.1 liter engine ... not too many out there to be had ... cant have enough power/torque for towing. Overall, this SUV is an excellent ride - smooth, comfortable, user friendly and quiet. Really love it. LT package is an excellent value option.

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  One bad machine! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Terry Miller - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned a corvette for the past 14 years. Mostly all convertibles. Chev. has out done theirselves with the C5. This one is my 3rd (C5) and they just keep getting better. One noticable upgrade was the eletromagnetic steering option. I cannot wait for the new C6 to hit the market. I will be the first in line!

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  Excellent - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By edsblazer - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Ride is smooth, the power is great, sound system is really good. The comfort level of the leather interior is excellent. Itts very roomy inside and all the buttons are in the right place. Its a blast to go from 55 to 90 with a stomp on the pedal on the highway. What a difference from the old blazer which couldnt get out of its own way.