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:

• 

  Great Value! - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Ilkster - April 16 - 4:14 am

  This car is a great value for the price. It has excellent reliablity and is a great commuter car. I do a lot of driving and this car is perfect for it. It has a nice European stling and look to it. Would recommend it for someone that does alot of driving.

• 

  Bad experience - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Rachel Goodman - April 15 - 5:42 pm

  I thought I loved my car. I have now owned it about 8 months. The paint is chipping, my power steering has gone out, the traction was horrible this winter, and when more than 1 window is down there is a suction almost. There are several things that I do like, but I dont believe my vehicle should be having problems yet and I am upset, thats why I bought a new vehicle, to not have problems for reliability.

• 

  Great Little Car! - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By bethann591 - April 15 - 1:30 pm

  I bought my 1997 Cavalier used in 2000 with only 50,000 miles on it. Its been a sturdy, reliable, and fun little car. Ive put another 74,000 miles on it driving all over the country. Recently I encountered a freak sleet storm in rural Montana and ended up rolling my car in a ditch. I always said Id drive that car until it died, and boy did I. The car was totaled, but I was able to walk away from the accident with minor scratches and bruises. Thank you, Cavalier! You did you job well!

• 

  2006 Impala SS - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rob - April 14 - 5:43 pm

  Just traded 98 STS that I drove for 140k miles. My new SS has been evrything I expected. Way more fun to drive, plenty of performance but a little short on acessories as compared to the STS. I live in the Northeast so the fwd is necessary, but the torque steer is NOT an issue. Educated drivers paying attention to road conditions will enjoy this vehicle at a very competitive price. Do I miss my 2 driver memory settings and heated rear seats, sure, but I dont miss the service costs that came with the $52k msrp STS. I am enjoying the "sleeper" that this car is when all those soccer Moms try to pass me on the right. Good Luck!

• 

  nice car - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Alexander Gogoberidz - April 14 - 2:00 am

  nice car. had no problems with it so far.

• 

  Smooth ride - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By bill - April 13 - 7:47 am

  Bought the truck used with 16K miles. Love the way it rides. Power is okay (has 4 banger). Brakes are noisy when cold and pulsate when hot. Fuel mileage is 23.9 hwy and 19 city. Punched it the other day, accelerator stuck wide open. Hope its not a sign of things to come.

• 

  Nice Expensive Truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Nik - April 12 - 11:06 pm

  This is a nice truck. I like the bed size. I seem to have a three door, extended cab, long bed truck with a 4.3L 6 cylinder engine. I am told that this was never manufactured. The gas milage is not great. I average about 20 miles highway, but only about 17 city. In the winter I put sand bags over the wheels (rear wheel drive) and that hurts the milage even more. Have had a lot of repairs. Two air pumps, air pump check valves (only once though), starter (I think its going again), front shocks, alternator, handle to third door three times (broken right now), and battery. Ive had to truck 2 1/2 years, bought it 12/2005 with 6,000 miles, it has 36,000 on it now. Its had a full brake job too.

• 

  Blacky - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By gocampn - April 12 - 12:34 pm

  I had rented one on vacation and when I decided to trade my Expedition this was one of the trucks that interested me. The Ford Escape did not turn me on. The Ford Edge still doesnt have the style this does in my opinion. So far I really like it, and love the looks. Mine is a black LT AWD with tan leather,snazzy!

• 

  An outstanding truck/SUV - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dlz - April 12 - 4:06 am

  So far my Av has been a great performer. Looks terrific in Metallic Gray and 20" rims. Locker rear end handles snow, ice and mud very well even in 2WD. Nicest, roomiest rear seats this side of a Ram Megacab. Cargo versatility is ridiculous- stuffed it to the brim with drywall and even rolled out a sleeping bag and spent the night in it when no hotels could be found! The ultimate highway cruiser-like a Cadillac. The fuel consumption readout helps keep your driving style conservative. The blind spots are big but the mirrors provide very good vision and the parking sensors are very accurate, even on something like a skinny pole. Im very pleased with my Av!

• 

  LTZ is the best version for 1993! - 1993 Chevrolet Caprice
  By JBs LTZ - April 11 - 2:45 pm

  I have driven this car to death. Bought it with 45K used. At 75K, blew the engine but wasnt upset. I was glad! It was covered by my extended warranty! The new engine was great! Now after 150K on the newer engine and 215K on the car it has developed a condition where it eats radiators every 9 months to a year. Its sad. I havent been able to find anyone that can fix it. Some guys said it could be a bad head gasket or even electrical gremlins. I dont know. I want to keep the car but with gas prices out of control I cant afford the gas for this car any longer.