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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  My little car - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Rob G - April 4 - 8:15 pm

  I was very happy with this buy because its my first car. I needed somthing cheap and good. The look was great and the interior was great for the price range. What won me over was the look and the price and the miles this thing gets. I support American cars so I love this car. Sorry Yaris.

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  Better luck next time - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By nomochevy - April 4 - 4:01 pm

  I had a 2005 ss/sc and it was a fun car to drive but after having to get the shift knob fixed 5 times and the seats starting to crack from the cheap leather, I went back to Honda a now own a 2007 si sedan and am not looking back. The fit and finish are so much better and it looks like a better built car.

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  Great Truck - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mike - April 3 - 10:06 pm

  Great vehicle very little problems even with 113k on the odometer. Plenty of room inside for my family of 6, plus a friend or two. Its great for long trips, very comfortable to drive. Tows the camper or Jeep great.

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  Awesome Z71 Silverado - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Gary - April 3 - 10:06 pm

  My 2014 Silverado has 10,000 miles and NO problems. The 5.3 V8 plenty of power Average 17.5 mpg

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  2003 cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By redbeard999999 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  i love this car

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  Avalanche - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jhp625 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, very comfortable to drive. Auto four wheel drive a plus.

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  Most Versatile Suv Yet - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Covinaraider - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this vehicle almost a year now and have been nothing but happy! The comfort, power, and versatility give it a package that my friends envy. It drives smoother than a tahoe, and has done everything that I have needed it to do. Yeah of course I wish it got better gas mileage (16 mpg overall), but which SUV/Truck owner doesnt.

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  Fantastic vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By durbah - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned BMWs, Mercedes,Citroen and a host of american cars.I absolutely love my Tahoe and cant think of another vehicle that Id trade it for. Gas milege could be a little better but, I ll settle for marginal gas mileage for all the other things I like. The Tahoe has a European car like ride but still feels good off the road. Idont think that the Cadillac or the GMC dollar fkor dollar offer more SUV. Ill stick with my Tahoe.

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  Surprisingly pleased - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By wyrdguy - March 31 - 1:07 pm

  Ive driven this car for over 6 years now and am very surprised with its reliability and comfort. I wasnt expecting much with all the trouble Id had in the 70s and 80s with GM cars, but Id driven a Chevy Corsica for work and was impressed, so I decided Id give GM one last chance. I dont exactly follow the book when it comes to maintenance either and this car has been very forgiving. It now has 115k on the odometer and has given me few problems. The transmission needed rebuilding under warranty and I cant give the brakes very high marks, but other than that, its been great.

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  The Uplander is a good vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By BadBender - March 30 - 11:03 pm

  I have had this vehicle for over 2 months now. It drives very well, handles curves great and the stabilitrak does wonders when you hit a puddle on the side of the road. Is rides real smooth, you hardly feel the usual bumbps in the road. The standard DVD player is worth every penny as it keeps the kids quiet. Mine is a XLT with convience package so the rear assist has saved us from backing into stuff. The wife likes the hands free phone/on star feature, she can make calls with out fumbling with a cell phone. Have not had any problems with this vehicle as of yet. It drives well, gets good gas mileage and is exactly what we were looking for, a nive van for the family.