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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  Jims lanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dimitri - January 28 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 8 bmws 4 mercedes 1 porsche,and about 8 others in my 26 years of driving. My Avalanche is the best multi-task car/truck I have owned. Comfort looks and room are the highs, power, gas and transmision are the low points. My last car was a BMW 4.6; The other ones I have now is 04 SL500, Audi Allroad.

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  my avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mertsdad - January 28 - 10:00 am

  this is just based on my over all experiance of my own avalanche.

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  Its big! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By phillipsjohnr - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned a Jeep Cherokee, Isuzu Trooper, and Toyota 4Runner and the Avalanche is by far the roomiest SUV Ive owned. Its also the most powerful. While the model I bought doesnt have all the amenities of past vehicles, it does have everything I want. It drives smoothly and quietly. The Bose stereo with XM it decent and Im still experimenting with the Midgate conversion options. The only downside - filling up with gas...

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  First Test Drive - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Chevy Owner - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Took one out for a test drive today. Handling and performance is good. Nice quiet ride and has adequate power for on ramp merges, passing and climbing hills, at least without a load. Im just over 6 tall and found it had plenty of room for the driver and passengers. Hard seats, did I say hard seats, and poor support. No extensions on sun visors. Narrow rear cargo space. Floor not level with seats down.

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  2000 Z24 is very reliable - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By RicanZ24 - January 27 - 10:47 pm

  I had this car from the very begining. I always kept up with the maintenance. Never had any major problems with it. The thing I can complain about is the famous crack in the dash that everyone gets. I had this fixed and it cracked on me again. Too much plastic. The paint job GM has on the car is cheap. After 5 years my paints was starting to peel off. Its going on 8 years now and the roof, trunk and hood are in bad condition due to sun damage. Other than that my car runs like a champ. As long as you take care of your car it will take care of you in the long run.

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  Bought it out of showroom - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By dnaangel - January 27 - 9:55 am

  Bought this car in 1999 out of the showroom and STILL use it as my daily driver. 178k miles and still runs strong, fun car to drive though not as much umph as it used to (to be expected) Definitely showing it age after 15+ years of use. No major issues as of yet (*Knocks on wood*), have changed the Waterpump, Fuel Filter, Sunroof and Passenger side window motors, Radiator and Vaccum line to A/C compressor as well as Valve Cover Gaskets over those 15 years, thats about it on major repairs. To this day Sunroof and A/C still work, will still lay rubber through 2nd gear and loves to be opened up.

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  2007 C6 Coupe - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jc71251 - January 26 - 5:22 pm

  I traded a 2004 350Z on this car. I also drove a Porsche Cayman S before purchasing. The Corvette has unmatched acceleration, but is not as "toss-able" in corners as the Z or Porsche. I am very please with the car and use it as my daily driver in all seasons except the winter.

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  Leave well enough alone! - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By mixerman1972 - January 26 - 7:29 am

  I love my S10. It has never given me any mechanical problems except sensors and the fuel pump, but being 14 yrs old and having 178000 miles, I think that is excellent! There is very little rust and I live in the north east. The mileage is at best 16mpg on the road, around town its about 12mpg. This truck has only left me stranded once, that is when the fuel pump went. The truck is fantastic in the mud and has a very comfortable ride

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  I really like this car! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Melissa - January 25 - 9:10 am

  I was looking for a car that would give me flexibility and seating for five without being an SUV. I found it in this vehicle.

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  Best of the full size vans - 2007 Chevrolet Express
  By Gary - January 24 - 8:58 pm

  We bought the Chevy van because we wanted a vehicle that could sit 11-12 people, the Dodge Sprinter cost twice as much and doesnt have the towing power. We rented several vans for diferent long distance trips and compared. We have two other vehicles that are Ford and are very happy with them but the Ford Van fell short against the Chevy for handling and safety. The Chevy has way way less top heavy sway. Ford hasnt updated there van for a while, the chevy rides soo much better and seems to have more interior room. Over-all we liked the Chevy better and decided to buy one. It also has a lot more room behind the rear bench for luggage. We average 12.3 MPG with the 6.0 ltr but can tow anything