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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  2001 Torch Red Z06 - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bhansen - March 27 - 2:00 am

  I broke this car in with extreme care. In my 10 months of ownership I have never spun the tires or exceeded the speed limit by more than 5 mph, never-theless I have never owned a more enjoyable outright fun automobile. My last tank I went 333 miles and averaged 32.43 mpg. Its an economy car with 385 hp! This car is easily worth the 50 grand I paid! I feel ten years younger and my business trips are a pleasure!

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  Chevy Aveo - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Viva la Diva - March 26 - 10:00 am

  Great little car, fun to drive, and got lotsa compliments on it. One drawback: For a small car, the gas mileage leaves something to be desired.

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  gas hog - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By smabry - March 26 - 10:00 am

  dont get the small block 6.o you will get the same fuel mileage as the 8.1 and give up 45 horsepower.I tow a 14 ft enclosed trailer app. weight 4000 pounds loaded and I get 7 miles to the gallon. The gear ratio from 3rd to overdrive is to steep. making you drive in 3rd pulling a load the truck can not maintain 70 mph in overdrive. The headliners on three of my 2002hds look as if they were cut to small.The way the backseat folds down for storage is a joke. I have a very loud knock in the motor since new. The dealer tells me its normal then ask me if it burned a quart of oil every 3 thousand miles.Beware of the 6.o litre it has problems they wont admit to

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  to early to tell - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jsfiretruck - March 26 - 10:00 am

  just bought it after owning a 1990 silverado ext 4x4 1/2 ton.Mileage is 16 city and 22 - 23 hwy I was hoping for better but only have 800 miles on it.I am thinking I should have bought the full size 4 door?

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  2003 Duramax 2500HD, What a truck! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Alwyschevy - March 26 - 10:00 am

  This truck is amazing. We purchased for farm use and I cannot believe the ease of towing. Great for long road trips, too. Extreamly comfortable and a the quietest diesel Ive ever heard! Chevy out did its self with this one.

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  Happy Camper in Black - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By nickand25 - March 26 - 10:00 am

  Nice car worth your money.

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  A great Experience - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Mrcadilac - March 26 - 10:00 am

  I think the Colorado has a nice ride, better than I expected. The 5 Cyl has enough pick up and go for normal driving. The passing gear works fine, when it is needed. i cruise at 65 with no problem. I havent had it for long, but I tested a lot of mid sized pick/ups before spending 25K. Colorado so far has met my expectations, considering the other comparable models cost much more.

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  Love it but hate it - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Love it, But hate it - March 26 - 7:40 am

  I really liked this car when I first got it. It had the looks and the and the styling of a good car. But looks can be deceiving. Since I had this car it had been in the shop more than 15 times and the remote keeps going out cause the modulators keep going out and I dont even want to get started about the problems. All Im gonna say its a bad car with good looks.

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  Never Again! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Former GM owner - March 26 - 7:06 am

  Rear air compressor, fan motor, complete brake system (twice!), front wheel bearings and now, the transmission is shot! All at 48,500 miles! Virtually every big ticket repair that could go wrong, did. Awful, awful piece of crap. Tends to slip in even mildly wet weather, overall poor traction anyway. Creature comforts are average at best. Ill never again buy this car and wouldnt recommend it to anyone, no matter what the price!

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  IMPALA SS - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By BEASTALLICA - March 26 - 2:00 am

  V8 engine 260 hp what should i say of more RAW POWER!!!!