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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  Much better review - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By FH - February 17 - 11:56 pm

  I have had a much better ownership than some of the other people in their reviews. The van has done great until 85000 miles and only then did the ac break and the manifold gasket leak. Not a major deal. I can fix both of these with little outlay of money. If care is taken with the car and maintenance performed, it will last a long time. I plan to put 140000 on the car before selling it for another. My gas mileage in town is 22.5 and 28 to 30 on the highway. I drive the speed limit. Give it a try.

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  Simply a great minivan - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By duraflex - February 17 - 4:46 pm

  Our 2000 Venture LS drove like a car but with so much more room inside. Fantastic visibility through big windshield and large side windows which are tinted just right. Just traded it for a 2008 Uplander LS - slightly more stylish but lacking many of the nice touches we enjoyed in the Venture. Great design on fold-down seats in 3rd row. Quick and simple to use.

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  2009 Equinox - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By SN - February 17 - 3:59 pm

  My wife and I recently traded a 2006 Grand Caravan for a 2009 Equinox 2LT. We wanted something a bit smaller and more modern and the Equinox really fits what we were looking for. The styling is great. The controls are far more advanced than GM used to put on their vehicles. The handling is tight. The seats are comfortable. We totally happy with this decision. We looked at many of its competitors, and liked the Equinox the best by far. Anyone thinking that GM still doesnt make vehicles that consumers want should take a look at the Equinox.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By 04montess - February 17 - 11:03 am

  Great gas mileage. Roomy interior with lots of storage. Large aftermarket for parts.

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  Great car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By ABRAN - February 17 - 10:41 am

  We use this car for work everyday. Overall city/hway 26.5. Hiway mileage top was 36.5mpg (certified!) Denver- Kerrville,Tx.! Comfortable, quick, plenty of room. Use it for 5 people regularly. Sensitive to alignment. No other basic faults. Great little car.

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  Cant Complain! - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By MIkey - February 17 - 8:56 am

  29,000 miles and doing exactly what is expected of it, with no issues. Auto averages 29 mpg in WV terrain. The door does lock without the key! Just lock the door then hold out on the door handle when you shut-it and itll stay locked. A little word of advice for those of you who are planning on owning for a good while. Keep the pil changed and use good quality oil. The oil pick-up tubes in these engines are very small and will sludge-up creating a blow-by which will cause the exhaust to smoke and loss of oil, power, and potential over heating, and small engines dont like being overheated.

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  2007 Chevy Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Indiana Chevy - February 17 - 5:00 am

  I bought the truck a month ago. Compared it with the Toyota Tundra. Liked them both, but am really glad I bought the Chevy. Lots of power, quiet, good ride/handling, and all the "toys" that I need with it. My only complaints are lack of storage inside. No overhead storage for glasses, etc like my old one had; small storage areas in the side doors; and a good sized storage between the seats, but not very functional. If you fill it up, you cant find anything! And finally theres no light in the hood area. I was told after the sale that thats an "option". Geez...a $37K truck should have an under the hood light!

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  My Favorite Ride! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Lippy - February 16 - 8:53 pm

  Actually fell for this car first time I saw it. Been waiting a few years for GM to work out the bugs in it. I love it, and is just fun to drive. Gas mileage great, and enjoy driving the 5-speed manual for a change. Love the retro body style!

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  Great in Switzerland - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Franky - February 16 - 3:00 pm

  With a big family & dog lack of space is not an issue, anymore. Our Suburban has been successfully tested in one of the fiercest winters (08/09) on European roads. Also very popular in Europe: FlexFuel E85 works perfectly.

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  Maxx=Maximum Versatility & Value - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By MadMaxx - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Wonderful car-fast, smooth, quiet, and very airy/roomy. Versatility is AWESOME. Great MPG: averaging 28.5 in 20/80 city/hiway driving, and have hit 32.8 on 5/95 (at 65mph). Value-paid $14,299 after rebate for my 04 Maxx w/floor mats.