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:

• 

  Reliable and easy on the gas! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Denise - December 30 - 4:53 pm

  Best features on this vehichle is the reliability and the gas mileage. These were most important to me as I drive 100 miles RT to work M-F. Storage space very good, both inside the car, and the trunk. A bit noisy on the highway, and really lacks power up hills....but still overall, drives pretty good. I havent had any major problems, just bad tires, or a car that creates bad tires, dont know. The price reflects the car you are buying, just the basics! Meaning, no power anything, and just AM/FM radio, but then I just bought the car to get me from work and back, and it does that just fine. Price unbeatable.

• 

  Fun Car - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ed - December 30 - 2:45 pm

  I traded a 2005 Cobalt for this car. In spite of the smaller size, it is more comfortable, but it doesnt have the driver information center like the cobalt. I had got used to being able to teel the fuel economey and the outside temperature. It also has a ridiculous power lock system that can only be locked with a key when one is leaving the car. The power is adequate and it is quite roomy.

• 

  Safe car to drive - 2001 Chevrolet Metro
  By petsr4ever05 - December 30 - 12:09 pm

  I live out in the country and have to drive 36 miles (one way) to work and back every day. Everyone kept telling me that if I ever hit a deer with my little car, I would not survive the collision. Well, about a month ago I was cruising along at about 60 miles an hour and a big buck jumped right out in front of me. I never had time to even put on the brakes. I hit it broadside going at least 60. The airbags deployed, and I was able to pull over to the side of the road. It killed the deer, and it killed my car (a complete and total loss), but I didnt have a scratch on me. Now I know that even the small cars do have enough protection for the driver to survive that kind of collision.

• 

  05 LT 3.8 - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By buckshot - December 30 - 8:40 am

  The exterior styling is an acquired taste, but I think it looks great, retro enough to turn heads but not too much. The deep laser blue paint looks great, and has held up very well thus far. Interior is roomy, all controls are easily reached from the drivers seat. The glove box is the only flaw, it isnt fitted tightly enough under the dashboard, and there is an ugly gap. The leather seats are very comfortable, and the heating element does an amazing job. The 3.8l V6 provides OK power, but a v8 with a RWD setup would be best. First gear seems bit sluggish, car would greatly benefit fron a manual trans, or 5 speed auto. handling is OK, the car does roll have body roll, and needs a sway bar.

• 

  Great reliable car for the money - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Jason - December 29 - 3:26 pm

  I bought this car from first owner at 105,000 miles. Owner had previously replaced alternator and performed regular maintenance. I currently have 160,000 miles on it. This car had never let me down. Gets great mileage for a car this size. Intake manifold gaskets developed the typical leak on the 3.1 engine and I replaced them myself (I am ASE Master auto tech). AC is cold and transmission shifts smoothly.

• 

  Buyer Beware - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Mad_Max86 - December 28 - 5:34 pm

  I bought this car in the summer. Drove great during the test drive and ride home. Bought it with 123,000 miles on it. I have only put 3,000 miles on it, and a rough 3,000 at that. Two days after I bought it, a brake line burst. $150 to replace, two weeks later it needed a new belt tensioner, $350. Now it needs new struts, and the compressor is shot, about $1,000 to fix. Car looks good because it has a body kit, but my mechanic informed me that this car had been in a major accident and needed to be scrapped. I enjoyed driving it while it lasted. enough room for 3 people in the back, and a nice trunk. Nice sounding pickup, decent speed, good comfort, but it does have good handling

• 

  Good truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By doug - December 28 - 3:50 pm

  I have had all three brands of trucks. This one hauls and rides the best. As far as reliability, I have been more than pleased. GM hit the right cue when putting this truck together. Duramax/Allison, best combination. I tow a 44 ft trailer @ 26000lbs and get 10-11.5 mpg. I will be hard pressed to go back to a different brand. Great work GM!

• 

  Love my Avalanche - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Frank C. - December 28 - 12:58 am

  I bought it new & now have 74,000 miles. I love this truck & would buy another. The major mechanicals engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, etc., no problems, however, the rear axle bearings had to be replaced at one point, which is the only problem that I have had with the truck. Very reliable & can always count on it. Very comfortable & smooth for a truck. Very useful, like the midgate & the rubber lined bed.

• 

  Best little car for the money bar none. - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Miles - December 27 - 1:09 pm

  I went into my local Chevrolet dealer looking for a good used car, ended up buying the 2008 Chevy Aveo. Bottom line price. The actual mileage I get on the highway is not what was stated on the sticker, but all things considered I only have 1k miles on it. Not quite broken in yet. Best mileage 32.47. Not bad for a car I payed $7499.00. Mine is the base model. I highly recommend if you are going to commute which I drive 100 miles a day, get cruise control. I have cruise control on order and send it to chevy tomorrow to get it installed. Small on the outside large on the inside. I am a 511" 240lbs. I have enough room in it. Plenty of visual all the way around the car as so I can merge easily.

• 

  4DR ZR2 4WD SUV 6cyl - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By shelby - December 27 - 6:28 am

  I bought this vehicle because I wanted a small SUV 4wd for Michigan winter driving and the price was reasonable compared to others. 95k miles later and no major problems to report. On windy days you do have to hang on to steering wheel tight and watch your blindspots on side and rearview mirrors. Rack and pinion steering is great. Also easy stepping in and out of vehicle. Seating could use a little more padding. Easy to drive.