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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  AVEO Review - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jbbrack - July 6 - 10:00 am

  We have had our Aveo for three months and have no complaints about the car. It replaced a small pickup we used around town and is mainly used for shopping and local trips. The space behind the rear seats is great for groceries and other small items. I have also used it to carry heavy items up to 800 pounds with no significant change in handling characteristics. The seating is comfortable and the headroom and visibility equivalent to a much larger vehicle. I am impressed by the quality in the car for the price I paid for it. All in all, a real bargain.

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  Built Like a Rock - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bgblockchevy - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Monte since 11-02 and I have been averaging about 20k miles a year. Great car, but I find getting performance parts are hard to find. Drives and handles the road very well. For a NASCAR style car, it should be a rear wheel drive car.

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  Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Robyn - July 6 - 10:00 am

  wonderful and affordable SUV

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  Best Compact Car In Years - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By krocket - July 5 - 1:56 pm

  Ive owned Honda Accords, and Toyota Camrys (from the early 90s, back when they were mostly 4 cylinder). The Cobalt is a sedan to be reckoned with. It is by far the best handling car I have owned to date. Highly recommend it to everyone! They are fun to drive, and great on gas. 145 HP, and 205 on the SS! Plenty of room for passengers and drivers. I have the 16" wheels, sport package, along with upgraded stereo and subwoofer. Turns on a dime! Nice size trunk, cool having the battery in the trunk! Driver information center is a treat. I plan to keep this car for a very very long time. Buy one, you wont regret it!

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  Nice Car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By luisga - July 4 - 10:03 am

  Powerful and great in gas. For those of you that are having problems with the tire pressure monitor system and your warranty expired it is easy to fix and all under $50 (for each tire but usually not all sensor go at the same time) Just get the sensor on an online auction and go to your local tire shop. They will install it for about $15. To reset it is easy just follow the owners manual.

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  super sporty - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By supersport guy - July 4 - 10:00 am

  i have a 01 ss monte blk with blk cloth. just returned with it from florida and averaged 27-28mpg at 65+ with ac on...great for a heavy car. My only true complaint is my fault-i hate the back-it shows ever spot of dust and scratches ezy... next car will be a light color.. But it still looks hot when it gets twlight out..

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  Underestimated - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By jdc7659 - July 2 - 2:36 pm

  The Cobalt is more capable and fun to drive than any of its competitors.

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  Best truck ever built. Nobody else can compare. - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By you know me - July 2 - 12:33 pm

  This has got to be the best truck ever built. Nobody can compare to this thing. Its like if God created a truck and wanted to drive it himself, this would be it. The ride, the offroad ability, everything about this truck is truely amazing.

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  My new Toy - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Tonya - June 30 - 6:46 pm

  I purchased this vehicle Dec 05 with 4 miles on it. I cannot say enough about the 06 Cobalt. I truly love it. Its handling, the way it looks, warranties, etc. It was the best purchase I have ever made. And talk about great fuel economy. My household has 2 people driving this 1 vehicle and we still only fill up 1x/wk for about $25.00. The insurance is awesome too. I recommend this vehicle to everyone!

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  My 04 has been great - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Bill - June 30 - 5:33 pm

  I purchased the Colorado to move the kids in and out of college apartments. Also to carry bikes and haul small fishing boat. I have the 2 wheel drive with limited slip rear axle. With snow tires on the rear its great in the snow. I just came back from picking up a 850lb trailer in Colorado. I got 26 mpg going out and 22.7 on the way home with the trailer. I drive the speed limit. This truck has been flawless over the last 5 years. Z85 suspension is bouncy if its empty. But with a small load (120lbs)in the rear it rides smooth. The value of this pickup is its reliability and low cost.