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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  I love my Aveo! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By heather Anne - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my car for 2 days, and Im lovin it. I get a lot of comments on it.

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  fun to drive - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By darrell - October 4 - 2:00 am

  easy to drive in cities, also easy to get around period

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  Malibu LS V-6 - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jmart - October 4 - 2:00 am

  The car is really peppy with the V-6. Absolutely LOVE the remote start feature on the cold winter mornings.

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  Luxury but very sporty - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By darrell - October 4 - 2:00 am

  suspension and handling is bueatiful

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  USA #1 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Rob Kopar - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Very powerful with a smooth ride excellent stereo with convenient features, folding power heated mirrors are great, stock goodyears very good in snow and ice. Friends say it rides like a cadillac

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  Ok car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Crunched - October 3 - 8:14 pm

  Purchased new in 2002. Great economy. Never failed in any way. Only work other than oil changes were brakes and tires. Poorly designed rear seat. Had to keep kids in booster seats due to the dip in the back seats. Also seats were made of cinder blocks. Loved the car till it was totaled in a 25-35 mph accident. Barely escaped severe injury.

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  Coming from Fords, very dissapointed. - 2004 Chevrolet Express
  By Greg - October 3 - 4:52 pm

  Mechanically these are superior to the Fords, as far as engine and transmission. However, everything else is worse. The old 1975-1992 Econoline has more room, feels better, drives better, handles better, body is more solid, I could go on an on. The Express interior is very cheap and uncomfortable. Hard plastic creaks and feels like its going to break whenever you touch it. Feels coarse and unpleasant on skin. Front seating is cramped and much less roomy than Ford. Rides like a "rock". Feels like you better handle it with "kid gloves" or it will break. Sliding door rattles and shakes like tin foil when you close it GENTLY. All doors, controls, seats, and dash feel cheap compared to Ford.

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  2008 Aveo - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Mary from Hilo - October 3 - 2:25 am

  I was disappointed in buying the 2008 Aveo. The car was defective with no parking light, driving panel lights and shifter indicator light. The dealership closed that day and I was pressured into buying the car. I drove the car not feeling safe in it.

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  3.1 gives great milage - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Tom - October 3 - 12:50 am

  I drove this as a co car since new. Bought it back from Co. at 140,000 miles Always had it serviced by Curt Warner Chev of Van.,WA. I now change the oil/filters. Took trip to Wisconsin this summer and got great mileage. Avg total trip was 30mpg. Never had problems other than normal battery replacements, radiator flush, fuel pump replaced. (in tank preventative.) Change oil every 3000 miles for sure. Keep good tires, brakes, and alignment. Great car.

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  Not sure on this one.. - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By lindzabu - October 2 - 8:16 pm

  I bought an 06 Monte Carlo LT about a year ago. I loved it when I first bought it, but later Im starting to double think this car. The shifter button sticks, thus causing the key not to come out of the ignition at times..Had to replace my Power Steering already, AND Im starting to have transmission problems...Its sad, and the parts are so expensive! It looks cool, however. And I love the power it shoots out for a V6. I wouldnt recommend this vehicle to anyone with toddlers, or infants. Its hard to get in and out of the backseat. Ive owned this for a year, and Im selling it for something more reliable.