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 little car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By cobalt - June 14 - 9:36 am

  Bought this car used <10000 miles, now have 54000, aside from tires and oil changes no repairs needed. Have had many people of other makes ride in it all compliment the ride. Great gas mileage, have gotten up to 37 highway on extended trips, mostly around 32 daily.

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  You get what you pay for - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Dr Evil - June 14 - 3:56 am

  If youre looking for a small car with good features and good gas mileage this is a good choice. Lots of room big trunk and fun to drive. If your looking for a pocket rocket shop else where. It does what it is supposed to at a good price. Would recommend.

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  No regrets, but one... - 1999 Chevrolet S-10
  By hishiad - June 14 - 12:02 am

  I got this truck basically as a gift since I had been driving the cheapest thing we could fine when I start back on my associates degree. My parents were kind enough to pay for the truck (no complaints there!). Anyway Ive had the truck over a year now and drove it daily. A few complaints Ive had could be the reliability or the fact the previous owner didnt take too well care of the truck. First the seats I absolutely hate the adjustable handles are flimsy (both have been broken off completely!) and the material has ripped easily as well. Its the 4.3 vor-tec so itll fly. Ive no problem with how it drives, other than issues with break downs.

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  A great car, if you can handle the mpg - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By Endre - June 13 - 11:59 pm

  I cant say enough about how good this van has been for me. It has an engine that is snappier than V-8s,when its only a V-6. At 16-18 mpg its not very economical, but very good for a van and excellent for the performance it delivers. It has hauled kids, motorcycles, lumber, brush, furniture, rocks and has always, always handled the load with competence, and cleaned up very well afterward. The rear bench seats can be removed in under 3 minutes bu 1 person, leaving enough floor space for an 4x8 sheet of plywood, and using the between-the- seat space Ive gotten 11.5-foot things in there. If you can handle the mpg, get this van!

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  Great - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dan Wolf - June 13 - 3:31 pm

  2003 Impalla purchased in July 03, now has 65,000 miles, 25-28 mpg city, 30- 34 interstate highway mpg, just amazing for a car this size. Very reliable, no problems since purchase, by far best car I have ever owned in my life, and I am 55. Compared to previous Chevrolets I owned from the 70s, 80s and 90s, they have done some darn good engineering.

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  Hard Core Driving of an Aveo - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Lenny Cieslak - June 13 - 1:45 pm

  I am a social worker for the Commonwealth of KY and cover 13 counties of my region. I have driven my Aveo over 45,000 miles in less than a year over mountainous roads (gravel, two-lane black top, and four lane highways. My Aveo has done excellent! I paid less than $14,000 for a fully loaded red beauty with sliding sky roof, air, auto, & alarm. It has been flawless. I even hit a 100lb deer at 60 MPH and only damaged the hood & grille. It took the licking and I never had to park it, but drove it every day since.

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  Great Car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Hanna - June 13 - 3:30 am

  I wanted a 4-door sedan type model so I was stuck figuring which one to get: the new Cobalt, Corolla, or Mazda-3. Found out the Corolla was too pricey for even the most basic features and the Mazda-3 was very sporty looking but being a young mom, I wanted a car that had the sporty look but can pass for a family car as well. So I got the Cobalt! Its a great new car for the price that I got it for.

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  Good Car - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By April - June 12 - 12:48 pm

  I bought this car a few years ago and overall I have been pleased. I had to replace my fuel pump about a year ago. Also one of the window motors went out (still havent fixed it!) the sir conditioning does buzz, but Ive gotten used to that by now. My dashboard has cracked in 2 places, and Im not too thrilled with that. The gas mileage is great though and my favorite part about the car! The cup holders are in a terrible spot. I dont know whose bright idea that was, but they need to be slapped. Overall, I have no regrets. It gets me to where Im going effectively and efficiently.

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  No problems so far - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Terry - June 12 - 11:26 am

  We hesitated buying a first-year NOX, but we have had zero problems. Just regular maintenance. Not thrilled with gas mileage, but is average for SUV of that size, so cant complain too much. I have the LT, all-wheel-drive. It does well in snow. My wife loves the color (laser blue metallic). Lots of folks say it look like some model of Lexus. Interior is nice - love the sliding back seat. Leather looks great but is thin. We are careful with it. Worst complaint is turning radius is atrocious, and the paint looks great but is also very thin, scratches very easily. Overall, very satisfied.

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  5 speed Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ct1274 - June 11 - 9:57 pm

  Fun to drive with 5 speed. Gas mileage hurts but dont drive far. Blind spots, seat handle broken. Nice looks and growl of the engine.