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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  Bad bumpers on back - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mike - June 4 - 1:40 am

  The bumper on back of this truck is plastic in the middle went to plug my camper lights in and it bent down so far my plug hit the bottom part of the bumper this is not built like a rock this is a truck needs a good bumper on back.

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  Very Nice Car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By TrishaLynn - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I took this car for a test drive, and I enjoyed driving it so much that I had to have it. It is comfortable to sit in, has great gas mileage, and is very roomy.

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  suprised car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By cohed - June 2 - 2:00 am

  comfort,coazy and very solid car but not to sport driving.

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  Cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By realtoir - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I dont agree with the negative consumer reports review on this vehicle. We helped our son get a 2003 Cavalier with 16 alloy wheels, power windows, doors, keyless entry and great sound system- It is sleek looking, great on gas mileage, and the engine ((the only thing reviewed positively) is fun to drive.

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  Best Ride to tow a boat - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dana Breyer - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Waited for my 2500 Avalanche, one of the first to be delivered. Ordered on 9/9/2001. Received 11/2001. I have a 30 foot boat which weighs about 12500 lbs. This truck pulls better than the Ford diesel 3500. Gas mileage is ok. 10 mpg city and 15 on highway. Very few problems with the vehicle. Happy I bought it when I did. P.S. So far I have made $17.00 on the "CHANGE FOR A BUCK".

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  Not as good as my 92 - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By joefech - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I think this redesign has its benefits, (ride, quiteness) but theres too much plastic and loose fitting interior parts. I have what seems to be common problems-- driveshaft yoke likes to bind on takeoff and makes a thumping noise, ABS brakes absolutely suck--if I have one tire loosing traction, it just hums and does not want to stop!!! I almost rear-ended someone because of a very small patch of ice!! Needs more sway control--maybe a rear sway bar-- too rocky in slow speed manuevers.

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  Chevrolet Colorado - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By robert bunyard - June 1 - 5:34 pm

  The vehicle is OK to drive, but doesnt have an ashtray or cigarette light. The power is OK as far as gas mileage goes, but not very powerful performance wise. Im getting 24 mpg in town and 27 on the freeway, so it is better than expected. Also wish there were larger cup holders and more space behind the seat.

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  A sad goodbye - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Kristina - June 1 - 5:24 pm

  I bought my convertible new in 1998. I love this car. I have owned this car for 8 years. My car had 140,000 miles at the time of its death. My car was totaled by a full size Explorer (and the car took the hit). My Cavalier was the best car I ever owned. It never gave me any real problems except for the AC went out once but it was an easy fix. I am sad to see this car go.

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  Good bang for the buck - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RP - June 1 - 2:48 pm

  This is a solid vehicle for the price. I purchased mine when the 03 TrailBlazer came out and the price on them was great. Keep in mind that now as I consider replacing it, I see the opposite end with the low resale value. I I purchased mine with 26,000 miles and three years later have 98,500 on it. It has been solid. Ive had to replace both front hub assemblies, the rear pumpkin cover, replace the door hinges (the top one broke off) and replace the license light bulb wiring. The total of the repairs was around $2500, which is why anyone buying a SUV should definitely consider an extended warranty. It has great legroom (Im 65") and is wonderful in the snow where we get 150"/yr

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  TrailBlazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Willifords - June 1 - 10:00 am

  The Trail Blazer handles well under Colorado weather conditions. We are impressed with the SUVs pulling capabilities. The brakes, however, are a bit soft. Cheverolet should beef up the braking system in newer models.