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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  GOOD - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By DAN GOODWIN - May 6 - 2:00 am

  I THINK THIS VEHICLE IS FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY TO USE AND OR DRIVE

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  One year with the Aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By aveodriver - May 5 - 5:16 pm

  I bought an automatic LS in Feb 2004. After one year I still like it just as much as when I bought it. It really is much bigger on the inside than it has a right to be. Seats 4 adults comfortably, even for long trips. The dashboard "trays" are really useful. I get 27 MPG mixed / 35 MPG highway. NO mechanical problems first year, one recall for rear seat belt guide.

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  Awesome - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Mike Anderson - May 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a sweet car with a strong engine. Count on power when you need it. I would take a Camaro over anything.

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  Poor ride, gas mileage, quality - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Harold - May 5 - 1:06 am

  Truck delivered with cracked engine shroud, ticking noise in steering column, marred windshield and washboard ride. Dealer fixed shroud and steering column. Balanced and replaced 1 tire but still has washboard ride over 40 mph. Factory says this is a problem they are working on. Windshield still bad and dealer made worse by scraping it with a razor blade. Had an identical 03 Silverado that averaged 19 mpg. This one averages 16 mpg even with a lower (4.53) rear end. No resolution. Dislike that factory elininated passenger turn off switch when carrying older person with back problems. Think Chevrolet has lowered its standards to try and compete with Toyoto, etc. Very disappointed with the 06.

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  90 suburban review - 1990 Chevrolet Suburban
  By chevygirl - May 4 - 2:00 am

  This automobile is superb. When driven reasonably, the gas mileage is great considering the size of the vehicle. Custom built models are beyond comfortable with the wide bucket seats, nice console, and a spacious cabin. Overall, this wagon is a very good investment for a family on the go.

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  148,000 miles!!! - 1992 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Mike Hobbs - May 4 - 2:00 am

  my car has a lot miles on it, but still rides very good and has very few rattles and squeaks. the t-tops do not leak. i am really surprised the car is as solid as it is. I guess youd say its Genuine Chevrolet!

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  good reliable and fun car to drive - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By snir - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car a year ago, drove it for 10000miles with no problems at all. very reliable, quite, good performance and comfortable.

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  still looking - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tnrn - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive been shopping for a new family car for almost 4 months. After all the hype and sticker shock finally drove a Malibu LS. A lot of standard features for the money, seems to be a fairly solid car, reasonable price, $2000 cash back now and I can cash in those GM Card points Ive been piling up.

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  My Review - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Damon Fortney - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Cavaliers are very nice cars for young people learning to drive. They are good for people not wanting an awesome experience, but just to ride to work or to the store.

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  Great Riding Truck, Bed/Midgate H2o trap - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Gonzo66 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Inovative truck with a smooth stable ride. This truck has a very comfortable ride, that is very well suited for towing (Z66 package).The DIC panel gives very useful info and warning data, Ie... % oil life, transmission oil temp info, low oil level..great for those who tow and self maintain )Not crazy about the plastic trim but I guess it will grow on me. The rubber seals around the bed cover and the mid- gate are not water tight and will leak more with age. The