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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  Love the SS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By hotruck - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Get lots of looks in this truck. It is very fun to drive and it handles snow and other nasty weather like a champ.

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  Happier than ever - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By excellent car - May 3 - 2:29 pm

  This is the kind of car that these manufacturers are producing. Good on gas, drives like a big car, fun to drive, most specially, very practical. For a single mom like me, there is no car in the market that is comparable with the quality, prize for your money and so far no major problem. I just follow the maintenance schedule and voila, the car just simply perform and does its job. I will highly recommend this as a good buy

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  A JOY to drive! - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By slonaker - May 3 - 10:00 am

  What an outstandingly well-built car! I have to take issue with the editors comments about "wallowy suspension," and "low-buck interior". Our Impala LS is tight, roomy, comfortable and just flat FUN to drive! Someone here mentioned its not meant for those 5 7" and over. Well, Im 6 3" and this is one of the few vehicles I can actually stretch my legs in. All this AND a 5-star rating for safety?? Why would anyone consider anything else??

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  Chevy is King - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By KennyA - May 3 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Silverado for two years now and have 28,000 miles on it. I continue to be amazed by this truck. It is the most powerful vehicle I have ever owned (285 hp), the passing gear will give you whiplash, and at 70 mph this thing isnt even turning 2000 rpm. The ride and handling are oustanding. Fuel economy still averaging 20 mpg. Whats not to like?

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  Fun little monster - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By murdog - May 3 - 7:02 am

  I bought my HHR for my wife in 2007 for a nice car to drive back and fourth to work. Mileage has been solidly in the upper 20s with mixed city HWY. When we are on the open highway I have gotten as good as 33 but stick around 31 most of the time. The car is solid it is just a base but the auto start was a deal setter for my wife. Great little car. But just a few weeks ago i got a safety recall on the little beast. Come on GM get your heads in the game. This final recall is the last nail in the coffin for my GM purchasing days. I just bought a Ford fusion for myself. And my wife pretty much stole it from me. Looks like GM just cant seem to build something with out needing to recall it.

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  First year of the Colorado - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By EDP - May 3 - 1:45 am

  Bought my Colorado the first year they came out with it. I find that its easy to drive, reliable as heck. Thought that I wouldnt be able to take it off road but its proved me wrong many times. I drive 48 miles to work one way and its held up. I change the oil, tires and make sure not to buy cheap gas. Ive even run E85 in it a couple of times when Ive been in a pinch. Chevy made a great truck.

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  Impala LTZ2 - 2016 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dave Wakefield - May 2 - 3:48 am

  I have owned 2007 Impala LTZ and before that 2000 Impala. I love the car so I keep getting a newer version. I am a Chevy guy and think its as good as it gets with the Impala LTZ.

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  I love this small car! - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob - May 1 - 7:31 pm

  Have owned about 6 months, 6000+ miles. Was impressed when I bought and even more so now. Fit and finish inside and out is still excellent. No new noise or vibrations. Still tight and solid. I am 6 ft 1 in tall weigh 265 lbs. I am very comfortable. The ride is super for such a small cheap (cost not build) car. Was getting 39 to 41 mpg driving very conservitive. Tried driving more agressive and still got 37 mpg. This is with some city more country driving with stops. No highway. Based only on my experence it is the best small car I have ever owned. Have had Toyota, Honda, Ford, Mazda. Am 52 years old. Had a lot of cars. I hope everyone finds a car they like as much as I do this one.

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  A much under rated car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Kelly C. Johnson - May 1 - 7:00 pm

  I am a car enthusiast who wanted a car that was low in price but would be fun to drive .This car has more than exceeded expectations The car we bought is bright blue , has manual tranny , roll up windows , six speaker upgraded CD radio , optional 15 inch aluminum wheels. Upgrades after purchase include hood protector, custom side moulding, LED tail light bulbs. A local performance shop fabricated a straight thru flowmaster muffler and pipe that bolted onto the original exhaust to give car a bit of a growl and more get up and go. My wife refers to the Aveo as a Flintstones Pedal Car" because it is so small and unadorned with frills. I just love it , best car I have ever owned.

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  Sweet Ride - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jeff - May 1 - 12:15 pm

  I have wanted a Corvette for along time now but never pulled the trigger. I bought an 08 Crystal Red 3LT. Magnetice ride a must if you live in the Northeast because of pot holes with The performance exhaust(this is a must option with the mild to wild remote,repeat a must option) This exhaust note is incredible but my neighbors are not liking it at night. and I got zo6 replica chrome wheels and red painted calipers. in a little over a month I have put 900 miles on it because I always want to drive it.