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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  BEST MID SIZE SUV - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By trailblazer154 - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this suv for a while now, and with 15,000 miles it has been a great car. You will have no problems beating anybody at an intersection, this suv keeps up w/ audis and bmws! Everything is perfect on it, best suv for the money ever!!!

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  Malibu - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By zylepp - May 10 - 9:17 am

  In 80,000 miles had to replace the theft sensor. Only repair to date except for a battery that was under warranty. Plenty of pep and excellent mileage (32 mpg on 635 mile trip to florida averaging 80 miles an hour).

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  2006 4x4 Colorodo Crew Cab - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By GAB - May 9 - 7:23 pm

  I find this truck to be extremely comfortable. It has the Z71 package and the I5 engine. It pulls a light bass boat with ease and get respectable mpg about 17mpg to 22pg. It is loaded with leather and all the toys. Love the truck.

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  Surprised - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Rich Hopp - May 9 - 9:56 am

  Chevy thought of so many little incidental items in this vehicle. I was pleasantly surprised with the small touches that add up. As a new owner I cant find a thing Im sorry about. They even went so far as turning a minus into somewhat of a plus. With the advent of a tailgate compartment it takes the rather compact cargo area issue off the board! Handles well, looks good, and is fun to drive. What else do you want in a crossover?

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  Owner - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Allen June - May 8 - 9:14 pm

  I have always wanted a Corvette, as most men. I finally made the big decision last year, with no regrets. This is an awsome machine. Driving the vehicle is totally off the chain, I want to drive it all the time. The only improvement that I would recommend is the console between the seats. This area can be improved, my wife has some great ideas on this.

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  I have 2 - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rcran - May 8 - 7:50 pm

  I have 2 06 LS models bought a month apart. The only difference on mine is traction loc and ABS. I get 32mpg ave. city/hywy combined. My other one gets 34mpg combined. Mine has 35k the other is a little over 40k. Only problems have been to replace a sensor, and turn the front rotors on one and a replacement rod in the steering on the other, oh and one tail light...all covered by warranty. Great little car, lousy Bridgestone OE tires. Barely enough grip, the one with 40k+ will get new shoes soon.

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  Great gas mpg - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By ROB - May 8 - 5:35 pm

  I got the 2dr LT for 9,900 the last week in Dec. At 1,500 the driver seat begain to wear on the top half closed to the door. I waited to see what it would do. A 3,300 its really getting bad and Im taking it in tomorrow. I really like everything about this car. Its short with roll up windows and manuel locks, but for 9,900 plus you cant beat it. I think the car handles fine, Im fifty and drive the speed limit tho.

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  Awesome Avalanche - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jrwjr99 - May 8 - 6:43 am

  This vehicle although very fun to drive and extremely versatile, is one to keep in the garage until needed for work or play. Not the best communting vehicle because of the mileage. But all things being said this is a really fun truck to have if you have a family.

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  Capable truck - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By SRW - May 7 - 7:58 pm

  I replaced a 2001 GMC Highrider or ZR2 with the purchase of this Z71 4X4. Big difference in build quality between the two with the older model far exceeding the new models parts. No skid plates on new truck, rear drum brakes opposed to disc on the old model however this does get good milage and is a good everyday truck. I have taken a couple 200 mile trips and vehicle is very comfortable and capable. Time will tell how reliable this model is, old ZR2 is bullet proof and is still in the family, son drives it and is going strong with no problems at 110K miles.

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  Poor gas mileage, very dissappointed - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By none - May 7 - 7:47 pm

  I bought this car for the gas mileage. I drive at least 30 miles a day in my commute to work 6 days a week. Supposedly it gets 33 mpg highway. I drive the express lanes at 60 mph every day with 2 to 3 miles of my commute on surface streets. I am getting between 22 to 24 mpg consistently. I am very disappointed. My son is 6 foot tall and even with the seat all the way back his legs are almost resting on the steering wheel. It comes with an arm rest which is so far back in the seat it barely reaches my hip and is so low that I can only rest my wrist on it if I reach behind me. As far as driving goes it is easy to drive. I have to fill up every 4 days. My other car went 1 1/2 weeks per fill up.