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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  Honest Description - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Matt - December 29 - 6:46 pm

  I bought this car looking for a stick shift compact car that was easy on gas mileage and relatively cheap. I have had two cars before this, a F150 pickup and a Mitsubishi Eclipse. The car is average, but for that price tag, you cant expect a Ferrari. Good gas mileage. Great MP3 player. PROBLEMS: 1)The horn is placed EXTREMELY badly making it impossible to hit in an emergency, particularly if you drive one handed. 2) Sometimes the stick shift jams up for inexplicable reasons weather also alters stick shifting. 3) Hard wind blows it all over the place, worse than driving a semi. Relatively good on ice, but Im no expert.

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  Chev S10 Crew Cab - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Mary W - December 29 - 2:49 pm

  The 1st 3 years of ownership I was lucky to have a warranty. Replacements included battery, serpentine belt, alternator, shock and more. There has been a nagging rattle in the dash. It has been to the dealership 4 times with the dash taken out, and they still cannot find it. All in all it has been the service that keeps me hanging in with this vehicle. It is a nice truck and I get a lot of use out of it. Not only that, it is bright red with black sport trim package and is awesome to look at.

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  Great Car - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By knoxdj - December 29 - 12:09 pm

  Has been a great car... would recommend to anyone if it has the 4- cylinder... Do not purchase the 6- cylinder everyone I know that has one has problems after problems. Biggest thing we had to replace is the water pump. I have owned this car for 5 years and it has been the most reliable yet. Great buy!!

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  Susans Avalanche - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By chevy avalanche - December 29 - 8:40 am

  This vehicle is a top notch 4x4. It has taken me through some very severe driving conditions. Its a very easy vehicle to drive with 4x4 at the push of a button and mirrors that adjust to your driving needs. Its easy to judge because there are no features that block your vision when merging into oncoming traffic. I was told these vehicles leak. I have had my truck for 5 months and that has never been a problem. This was my dream truck and I can honestly say I am not been disappointed with any feature it has. My thanks to Chevrolet for making a fantastic sporty 4x4 that is reliable, safe, and fun, people compliment my truck everywhere I go. It has been a great investment.

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  Prizm is a Great Value - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Virgoman0 - December 28 - 6:28 pm

  I bought my Prizm in Nov of 2001. I really have enjoyed this car a lot. It has given me excellent fuel economy and the handling has been very good. I have had no mechanical problems of any kind. As far a dependable transportation goes this car is it. Period!!

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  I like my Venture - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Dean - December 28 - 10:07 am

  Bought my 2000 Venture new in Sept 1999 and I still love it. We put an average of 18,000 miles a year on the car and drive it all over the country with 3 kids every summer. It has plenty of room for kids and stuff and everyones happy. Our van currently has 110,000 miles on it and is still going strong. Havent had any major problems just normal wear and tear. Overall a great van for a family that likes to travel.

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  Great Basic Commuter Car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By psece - December 27 - 9:36 pm

  Needed a safe mid-size car that got great mileage. Mostly used for commuting but will carry the family on the weekends. I have over 8,000 miles on it and it has never gotten under 27 mpg. My commute is 50/50 freeway/city streets so I am very happy with the mileage. It is a very quiet car and the 4 cylinder never has me wanting more. The chasis is very european in its ride qualities with a taunt ride. This car does everything that I need of it well.

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  Cant complain - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Impala - December 27 - 6:14 pm

  I had a 98 Plymouth voyager that I traded in on my new Chevy. My wife divorced me and I wanted something for myself that I could depend on winter and summer for at least the next 10 to 15 years.

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  Engine light delayed and cost me a new engine - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By chaleena - December 27 - 11:42 am

  I was happy with my 2004 Monte Carlo. The back seat is a real pain getting in and out of though. My big complaint is I have 161K miles on it. Always maintained on schedule. Suddenly it started acting up and I made an appointment for my mechanics to check it out. A few days before the appointment the engine light went on and I took it in immediately! Well..engine light should have gone on several days prior when it was acting up. It did not! Now it needs a new engine! The engine light was lazy and it is costing me. This has ruined my belief in American made cars!

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  Bad Tranny - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By john mattioli - December 27 - 1:30 am

  Had Tranny trouble with 7,800 miles dealer has car for 1 week says could not get part from G.M.. Called cusmter service for help got no help or return phone call.