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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  2002 Astro Conversion - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By hope46 - July 6 - 9:57 pm

  The only things I dont really like about this van are the turning radius, which isnt as tight as the Voyager we used to have, and how difficult it is to back up at night, because we have dark tinted windows, and the seats are quite high, making it difficult to see. Its a great traveling van, the back seat folds down to a bed, and it has nice blinds on the windows. It gets better mileage that we thought it would, averaging 20 mpg. Ive gotten 24 mpg with it on the interstate. Well keep this until it falls apart on us were quite happy with it.

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  1999 Corvette - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By lawrence kilfoy - July 6 - 11:40 am

  This has been a exceptional Corvette. No warranty work required. The manufacturers original Goodyear run flat tires were very noisy and I changed to Michelins for a better ride.

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  Decent - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Wade - July 6 - 2:40 am

  I love driving this thing! However I have had major issues, alternator went once and nearly killed me the way it went off. I have also replaced the controls arms for three wheels. It gets really good mileage on the HW (nearly 30 most of the time) and around 18 for daily around the town use. Ive also had issues with the brakes but nothing major. Good car for the price and after reading other reviews my experience seems to be an outlier. I love driving it though and I would be another if it came along.

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  Its a Great Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By truckdriver - July 6 - 1:03 am

  The 5cyl/5spd Z85/LS Reg Cab more than fills the need for a mid-sized, inexpensive, tow capable truck. The LS version is the best value, having several nice addl features. Ride is excellent. Concerning comments about the Chevy dash: its a truck not a Bentley. Who wants to spend big bucks for a fancy dash? The dash is simple, functional, and durable. Furthermore, the Chevy dash is better than the competing Toyota dash because it is smooth all across the bottom. The Toyota has obnoxious protrusions all over the place.The 5cyl is surprisingly powerful and worth the extra fee. Visibility is great; ride is excellent (for a truck).Silky smooth clutch, great shifter.

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  Family Van and Cargo hauler - 2001 Chevrolet Express
  By boili - July 5 - 9:48 pm

  Bought the van to have more cargo space. Mission accomplished. Cavernous room after to take out all seats. Easy to drive und relaxing ride on long trips. High seat position give a good view. LT trim very appealing. Enjoy stepping in every time.

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  Uplander 05 - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By d. postlethwaite - July 4 - 1:50 pm

  Enjoyable to operate though gas mileage is less than told. The horn does not work. Good view and ride.

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  Almost a world beater - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Dave R - July 3 - 10:50 pm

  This would be a great vehicle, if it wasnt for one huge problem. The gas mileage is total crap. My first tank I ran thru it at 65 mph on the freeway checked 20.5 mpg. The second tank was the same. If this doesnt change for the better soon, I will trade it off. I only have 600 miles on it right now, but it must make a major improvement. Otherwise I love it!

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  Good Value - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Good Vaule - July 2 - 1:40 pm

  The SUV is want a bad purchase if youre looking for a nice ride which has had no major issues. The recurring problem is if you dont turn the gas cap 2-3 Full turns after you fill the tank the engine light would come on which can be very annoying. It will shut off after about 7 start-ups. If not, you have to take it to the dealership so they can reset the darn thing. Overall, not a bad buy and with the peace of mind that their are Chevy dealers everywhere if you were to need service.

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  3rd Consecutive Chevy Sedan - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By azsteve - July 1 - 10:50 am

  2LT V6, Black Granite Metallic. Traded 05 Impala for this car and owned a 2000 Malibu before that. Car is immensely more refined than either previous Chevy. My wife, long-time domestic car basher and Nissan owner, is impressed. New Malibu looks great in black with the 18" alloys. Interior is pleasantly refined at this price point. Front bucket seats are extremely comfortable - back seat, not so much. Most striking is the ultra quiet ride. Cabin is virtually silent at any speed. Suspension just right - hugs corners, yet very smooth. Powerful V6 - though gas pedal a bit touchy from dead stop. One complaint - "Premium" audio option a joke - $500 buys far better after market outfit.

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  Good Overall - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By ShafinKS - July 1 - 4:30 am

  Gas mileage great for its size. Road noise is terrible.