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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  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob B - November 7 - 8:32 am

  I have the 4 door sedan. Never had a problem. Took the car over from my daughter who moved to Chicago and didnt need a car. It would have never have been a car I would have bought. It tuned out to be a very pleasant suprise. The fuel mileage has been great and the room inside is unbelivable. We had 5 adults in the car and I am 64. I put really good tires on it and it runs at 80 mph on the highway with no problem. Easy to park. I take it from Detroit to Chicago twice a month (4.5 hour drive) and its comfortable. I wouldnt want to take it across the country but Im old and like big cars. Great car for the money, 3 of my neighbors have bought them since I got mine.

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  Wish I would have bought one sooner - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Bobo - November 6 - 4:34 pm

  Love the truck. Got new in 9/05 Not had a problem with mine. Rides great. No noise, no problems, plenty of power. 14-16 MPG in city 20- 24 Hwy. Its a heavy truck and I am happy with the MPG and the ride. Great truck. Want better MPG get a car but you wont have a truck. Want worse MPG buy a Ford.

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  Love My Car - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Grian - November 6 - 11:58 am

  I have owned my 97 Lumina for 3 years. It is the most reliable car ever and I have put 30,000 miles on it and all that it has required has been an alternator replaced and EGR ports cleaned and a MIL bulb changed. I would not hesitate to buy another one. These repairs where not costly and easy to repair (and Im a woman).

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  Has been a really great car. - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By R.G. - November 6 - 11:27 am

  Had this car since new and has been very reliable. Gas mileage great for its size.

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  2008 Malibu - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By pierre carton - November 6 - 10:30 am

  Interior is novel, only seen in very high cost vehicles. Can hold 4, 230lbs adults comfortably with leg room in rear seating. Exterior is extremly sharp, excellent paint and tight seems. Windows developed to reduce cabin noise. Exterior lights very attractive and new. Doors shut with good sound meaning well built. Blinkers built into front fenders for warning other vehicle on road of lane changes and turns. Air bags in sides of car a plus for my 16 year old driver. Plus extra steel cage built into cage of vehicle. Probably built safer than any car at or near its price range. 17inch wheels make this car look sharp.

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  Absolutley Incredible - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Best Decision I Made - November 5 - 12:44 am

  I have had this truck now for almost a year with 12k miles and I could not be happier. I have had no problems with this vehicle at all and lover the styling and comfort as well as the versatility. I am always being complemented on the truck, it looks much more expensive than it really is. I have added 22" chrome wheels, chrome front and rear light accesories as well as on the back liftgate handle area. I have the LTZ pretty much loaded with the rear camera and nav, which is extremely helpful. For anyone looking for an SUV that also doubles as a truck there is nothing that compares, especially if you are looking for true 4 wheel drive. This blows the socks off of the Honda Ridgeline.

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  One Awesome Rider - 2001 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Mike - November 4 - 10:39 pm

  Ive had this car for two years starting with 117,000 miles and put 20,000 on it myself and I replaced the factory stereo and a few mechanical parts myself and shes still ticking strong.

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  Excellent GM Product - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Tom - November 4 - 5:03 pm

  I loved my 07 Cadillac, but when I saw the new Camaro I was blown away, and knew I wanted one. I read many reviews before I purchased the car, and have been pleasantly surprised because the car has exceeded the high expectations I had.

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  Love it! - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By JJ - November 4 - 1:20 pm

  I have had several much more expensive cars, but I love this one the most. The gas mileage is great and it is small and maneuverable and can be parked anywhere! I drive a lot of miles and it is unexpectedly comfortable, even on long trips. Not a huge amount of power (watch out when passing!), but fun to drive. Perfect for toting around 2 large dogs. Had some problems with the power windows wearing out and the exterior portion of the door handles breaking. Other than that, no major maintenance issues (knock on wood). 145,000 miles and counting!

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  Extremely pleased with the Cobalt SS - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Chase Hess - November 4 - 7:30 am

  This car is very well rouded. It has performance, handling, style, fuel economy and isnt too expensive; $19,500 brand new w/all but 6 disc changer Power is solid up to 3500 rpm and then she just screams all the way up to redline at 6500 rpm with an auto trans The power is exhilarating. Handling is absoltutely superb while maintaining a pleasant ride (even my wife doesnt complain). Fuel economy is good considering the power (175 HP). I usually get about 26 miles per gallon with a pretty even split of city and highway driving(and my pedal to the floor). I think this car is the total package. I test drove a few other competitors with comparable economy and the Cobalt SS was the obvious choice