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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  The best SUV/Truck ever built! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By scherf.com - October 21 - 1:20 am

  The Avalanche is truly a masterpiece. I drove with 75 mph on the Interstate through a snow storm with snow drifts and ice, etc. and this baby didnt slip once and it was just a dream to be the King of the Road. It is spacious inside and it drives like a big luxury cruiser. The styling is just awesome--it turns heads everywhere, literally. Its a little expensive but compared to other SUVs in its class it is one of the best values on the market.

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  Good Commuter Car - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bubba - October 18 - 2:47 pm

  I did the Cash For Clunkers deal. I needed a good commuter car since I drive a minimum of 700 miles a week. All you Jerseyites will understand. So far the car has been performing exactly as I wanted. 35 to 36 mpg in mixed driving mostly through the Pine Barrens. I have the auto with cruise control and they are the two items I must have. Comfort is fine. On Star is great so I dont need a cell phone if I break down in the pines or when I hit a deer again. Also got the 5 door which I highly recommend. This car is about utility and the 5 door is the way to go. Get me to work and home, load stuff in when I need to. I bought the car for cheap, reliable transportation. Grade: A+.

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  My first American car in 13 years. - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Joe Schaaff - October 18 - 10:26 am

  When I decided to take the plunge, my new Malibu was about 10 days out from arriving at the dealership. Honestly, I was like a little kid waiting. I have not had one moments regret, nor anything but absoulte driving pleasure since I picked up my car. Mileage improves with each fill up. I have about 1800 miles on my car after one month. This is the best built passenger car that Chevrolet division has ever prodeced. I have owned 5 new Nissans and 2 new Dodges since 1995. I cant say that I have ever truly been proud of my ride until now. The ultralux interior is comfortable and impressive to all who have seen it. I felt the package for the price was a steal. Totally underpriced!

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  Rattle under the dashboard - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ed - October 18 - 6:24 am

  I bought my 2007 Malibu LTZ in September 2009 with 22100 miles. Very clean and sporty. Stereo system sounds great. Only problem is when Im driving on the highway an annoying rattle comes and goes under the dashboard. Sounds like a leaf stuck in the vent but its not. It sounds like it is coming from the heating/cooling system. I noticed many others had same complaints of an annoying rattle under the dashboard.

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  i love my k5 blazer - 1992 Chevrolet Blazer
  By chevy girl - October 17 - 7:54 am

  This Blazer has been great I think I will keep it till the end of time I put a 6 inch lift on it and 22 custom wheels custom head lights and tail lights and every where I go people just love it it rides well and has lots of room inside but gas wise not so good but I dont care about that.

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  Best Midsize available - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dick - October 17 - 1:56 am

  Quiet, comfortable, and fun to drive. Good fuel economy without performance sacrifice. The General is back!

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  Blows Ridgeline Away - 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Nothing Better - October 16 - 8:34 pm

  WOW Love my Avalanche. Use it to drive clients around as well as hauling things around and you could not find a more versatile truck. Every time a client gets into the Avy they comment on the interior quality and are always impressed. We had 2 Suburbans prior to the Avalanche and loved them as well but the Avy is more functional w/the midgate especially since we no longer need the 8 seats

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  Great truck! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By wellinghurst - October 16 - 7:30 pm

  Does everything as expected. Plenty of power, plenty of room. I am very happy with this truck. Just the typical minor maintenance stuff. It pulls my boat like its not even there. 13 mpgs isnt bad for a 7000 lb. truck.

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  1 year Review - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By JJ - October 16 - 7:26 pm

  Excellent front wheel drive performance coupe. I have owned performance coupes since the late 1960s (GTO, Cuda, Olds 442, Road Runner, Trans AM and Malibu SS) and this car reminds me allot of the 1969 GTO Judge I owned - in terms of handling, performance and pure fun to drive. Highly recommended..

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  Better than they think!! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By David - October 16 - 2:50 pm

  I hesitated for almost 2 years to buy our next economy car and I sure am glad that I did. Because the Aveo is a GM takeover project (from the Daewoo), it does not recieve the credit it deserves! The Japanese always recieve the Champions banner for their vehicles, but for the money, the Aveo is really an excellent choice. The engine is sufficient in power, but it would be nice if it did have maybe a few more ponies. But the vehicle overall is really a great bargain, in todays economy.