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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  Jese - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jese DiMonda - December 17 - 1:18 am

  I have had safety issues with the side sliding doors. This problem exists with both the automatic and manual doors. I do not recommend anyone with small children buy this vehicle since Chevy has refused to fix this problem, even after being notified.

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  New Chevrolets - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By lukewat - December 16 - 6:43 am

  This is a beautiful truck. The style has really grown on me since it first came out( it looks great with after market wheels and tires). It has a good ride and is comfortable to drive. The back up sensors are nice with a big truck like this. The power is much less noticeable than my 2006 with the LBZ . It has been in the shop 4 times and was in there for over a month the last time. I may sell this one and keep my 06. All new diesels seam to have exhaust problems. You may be better off to purchase a pre January 1 diesel to avoid problems until all of the issues are resolved.

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  Great Smaller SUV - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jeff Hawley - December 14 - 9:50 pm

  Fun to drive...Very precise steering, good acceleration. Much easier to maneuver than one might expect. Interior is comfortable and spacious, with the possible exception of the rear seat area, which is somewhat similar to that of a compact car. Im really enjoying my Blazer and would gladly recommend it to anyone.

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  Love the style - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Teeez - December 14 - 2:00 am

  Unfortunately, we have had some pricey problems with the mechanics of our vehicle. The rear main seal started leaking at 40000 miles and had to be replaced at a tune of $500. We have had to have several things fixed on it, which has cost roughly $2500.

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  owner - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By lichtenfels - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I like the vehicle, took it for 1st ride today and found the headrest bothers me, I must hold my head at an unnatural angle. Drivers seat hard to get adjusted and not sure I like the limited manuerability of the steering wheel. Buick had more up & down positions avail. Other than those things, handles great and nice ride. Like the idea of tilting back seats & adj. offered in back.

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  03 EXT TrailBlazer w/ 5.3V8 NorthFace Ed - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By SadamSez - December 14 - 2:00 am

  At the moment, I have a total of 4500 miles. Still rather new. The V8 is getting better than expected mileage. Better than my 98 Blazer w/ the V6! Im mostly around town in stop & go & I have every option on the thing so weight plays a factor. Avg. 14+ easily. Fit & finish is typical G.M- nuff said. But is holding up well, so far. Smoooth V8 & ride from the EXT model. Quiet too. Great Bose system. Nice features w/ NorthFace! I would be jhappy to assist anyone interested who is concidering one of these vehicles!!!

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  My car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By 4 door sedan - December 14 - 1:13 am

  If I were designing a car for myself, this is the kind I would design. And for someone buying a new car on a tight budget (like mine), this car was not only economical to purchase but also it has been economical to operate. As an added bonus, it has an attractive compact appearance with contemporary styling. As a practical 4-door sedan it has adequate interior room for four full-size adults even on extended trips. (The back seat has seatbelts for 3 adults in a pinch, but this arrangement would get snug quickly on a long road trip.) Its 4-speed automatic shift makes for responsive performance when needed but also good on gas mileage if it isnt pushed hard continually.

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  2003 Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Rick - December 13 - 11:23 pm

  Love the truck. Runs great. An all around great utility vehicle. MPG is poor but what the truck does makes up for it.

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  Nice ride - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ken Boldt - December 13 - 9:26 am

  Overall I have enjoyed driving the vehicle, however I am somewhat concerned with the way the automatic transmission shifts during acceleration, the tach revs very high before shifting. The rear windows leave some blind spots, however the front seating is comfortable and visability is good in front.

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  Love it! - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jason - December 12 - 11:02 pm

  I love this truck. I bought a used 2004 Colorado Crew Z-71 with every option except leather and sunroof. I had looked at Tacomas and Frontier, but they cost as much as a full size truck. I personally think my truck looks better than both of those as well. I traded in my 99 Ranger and the difference is night and day, power comfort and quite. Its an amazing truck and I was able to pull my boat out of the water no problem.