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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  Good Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By DamonLee22 - March 24 - 8:58 pm

  If there is one thing I can say about this truck, Its reliable. As of today my Silverado has 320K miles, I have had to replaced the front hubs, wheel bearings, and the water pump, and of course the brakes. I had problems with the climate control selectors.. While running the AC there would be a thump and the left side would instantly go to full heat.. And the fan control module melted once, lots of smoke.. The truck still runs pretty strong, but wear to the engine and trans has begun to have an effect on performance.. but shes never left me on the side of the road, and the four wheel drive is still functioning normally. All in all, a very good truck, and if it died today, I couldnt complain.

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  Better than youd expect - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Hal - March 24 - 5:41 pm

  Body & engine tight and smooth, interior trim a little rough(headliner doesnt fit shugly). Seat-belt receptacle cover breaks easily). Five speed shifts out smoothly for 1-5,but often resists going into reverse. Impressive acceleration for a 4- cylinder. Decent gas mileage averaging about 22 with a 50/50 mix of city & highway going all-out...26 highway if I nurse it. Only maintenance in 48,000 miles has been oil, filters, & tires.

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  So Far, So Good - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By DeBeez - March 23 - 10:18 am

  This is my first auto so I was looking for a fuel efficent, easy to drive car. Well, I lucked out with both. This car handles well and parks easily too. Ive had only had to replace a rim and tire but that had to do with potholes, not the car. My only issues are that braking distance needed at higher speeds is longer than I expected and when Im on the expressway and go above 60mph,the car starts to drift.

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  best value - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rocket rex - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Great price, great gas mileage, cheap insurance,cheap plates, cheap maintance,etc.,and the car is very sharpand fun to drive

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  C-LooS-E REV - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By CLOOSE19 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I enjoyed driving my car because it was manual not automatic. This lets me have more control of the car. Never drove the 2004 chev cav (automatic) but willin to try!!!

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  Comments - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Arline Jesme - March 22 - 6:36 pm

  I am not happy with the location of the lever to adjust the stirring wheel. It is not safe when you are on a long trip and you need to change settings. I have to pull over to do it as it is hard to do it (over correct and turn into some one). And I am not a tall so I need to change it on trips) and also the adjustment on moving the seat, up and down. It stinks. The emergency brake is in a location the is really unhandy. I wish I would have check this car out more. Should get more for what you pay for thise cars. Did not want to pay real big money out and this is what you get. Poor quality. I hope to trade in couple years. I always was with GMC. I needed a car at the time & think I was pushed.

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  2006 Monte Carlo SS - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By CarolT - March 22 - 10:06 am

  While this car is fun to drive (and the V-8 is certainly a major improvement) the interior design leaves much to be desired. The shifter is in an terrible location and its difficult to adjust the temp control. I opted for the premimum stereo system and its not a premium sound in my opinion. Would I purchase this car again? Certainly, I would just opt for the cheap stereo system and upgrade it later. As for the temp control...well, maybe theyll get it right next time.

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  turns out to be ok - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By christopher wilkins - March 22 - 6:35 am

  I have come to love driving it but it lacks acceleration and the miles per gallon are not that great. I estimate that I get maybe 15mpg as oppose to the 26 to 32 that I have seen posted on the sticker. The head room is great, as for the leg room which can become an issue with passengers in the back. I like the handling around corners and how smooth the ride is. All in all, Ive grown to love the cars qualities as well as its downsides

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  Nice ride - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mark - March 21 - 2:40 pm

  Very nice ride! Interior is very light, but comfortable. It rides like a bigger suv but handles like a small one. I have been very happy with the comfort, but wish I would have gotten a lighter color. Black is horrible to keep clean

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  Nice Vehicle! - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Spencer Brown - March 21 - 1:25 pm

  We bought this Tahoe brand new with 15 miles on it. And we have never had any trouble out of it. We have taken it to be serviced every time it needed to be and its not that expensive on upkeep unlike my wifes Mercedes! This would probably be the best car for your money if your looking for a rugged rock hard family car! However the gas mileage is ok but could be better, especially with these high gas prices.