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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  Love my Vette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rod Fortner - April 7 - 5:26 am

  This is the most awesome car I have ever owned. It gives a whole new meaning to the word driving. Everyday is a new driving expierence. The coating on the outside makes it easy to give it a just waxed look. Im glad I didnt wait on the 2006 model. I have looked at them side by side and I like mine better. The new ones look too much like a Viper. Part of what makes a Vette unique is the hidden headlights. I have a hearing disability but I love the sound of the pipes going through the gears. I have a seven year old daughter who loves to get into "Our racecar". People at stop lights roll down their windows to give me thumbs up. Women notice me more for sure. I just love my Vette!

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  Great little car - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By dieselpower - April 7 - 12:05 am

  Im now rapidly approaching 20k miles. My Aveo continues to run with clockwork reliability. Fuel economy has ranged from a low of 32, to as high as 43 mpg. Im 62" tall, and have no problem finding enough room to stretch out in this car, even on long highway trips. I also love the European urban runabout styling. I have the 5 speed manual in mine, and find the power to be plenty adequate. My only issue has been the tires, which seem to have trouble maintaining balance. Plans are to swap em out in the near future. Overall, I would highly recommend buying one. My neighbor was impressed enough to buy one for himself two days after I bought mine. His has also been flawless.

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  My Lil Deuce Coupe - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Tadd LaDuke - April 6 - 3:20 am

  Much better than the previous models in design and looks. A bit hard to control on fast take offs off the line. Once going a breeze to handle and control. Love to drive it. Many luxury options, heated leather seats, built in cell, heated mirrors, on-line diplay of tire pressure and remaing oil life.

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  Overall real good - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jerry - April 5 - 6:20 pm

  I have been driving my Impala for 600 miles. I realy like the feel, smooth but sporty. I think the color red did a lot for the sporty look.

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  My favorite of 8 trucks - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By RIck in Houston - April 5 - 9:40 am

  Ive owned 8 GM manufactured pickup trucks since about 1990. They all performed well. Based on my experience, I wouldnt consider another brand. But of all of the trucks Ive owned, the 05 crew cab is by far my favorite. Little things like dual thermostat, 60/40 split front seat, e/q for stereo & more made this truck a bargain. I bought it new, changed the oil, put 2 sets of tires on it & one battery. That has been the extent of my maintainence. Runs like a top, great on gas, what can I say? I hate to let her go, but its time for a new one.

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  I love this car! - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Juan - April 4 - 12:14 pm

  This is my first time owning a Corvette. Its everything I thought it would be. Its fast and handles really nice. I love the feel of the road coming thru the steering wheel.

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  Great Vette - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By First Vette - April 3 - 9:08 pm

  Great exhaust sound. Excellent seats. Smooth clutch. The heads up display (hud) is great.

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  Transmission Issues - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Ben - April 3 - 4:41 pm

  The car drove great for a few years and then the transmission went out. It got a clog in the fluid so when I checked on the fluid it was always full. Also there is no literature on the vehicle, no Chilton guide, no info on the transmition type, nothing.

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  Fun Ride - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Roger Scott Jones - April 3 - 2:00 am

  My Trailblazer is an excellent ride that I feel has excellent handeling and is very fun to drive. I told myself I would never own another Chevy after my 85 Camaro. My LT Trailblazer is a very well built machine that I wont be trading in any time soon.

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  aveo is the best car Ive had - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By shoshanae - April 3 - 2:00 am

  The Aveo was my first brand new car Im very impressed with the gas mileage Ive never seen a car that they say has a certain amount city/hwy and it be true