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 Chevy Aveo - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Rae - December 31 - 10:30 am

  I think this is a cute, fun, reliable car. I am glad I bought it. Nice transportation to and from my job, as well as around town. I check out many cars and it was a toss between the Aveo, Scion or the PT Cruiser. In the end I decided on the Aveo 5 hatchback. I got bright blue, which is a pretty color, but not my choice. Others I would have had to wait for, and I needed transportation in a hurry. I would have preferred the new cinnamon, pretty yellow or slate blue. All and all I am satisfied with my new little car and it fits in my driveway behind my husbands larger van. I needed a compact car for that reason. I have one suggestion regarding the side view mirrow.

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  05 Z71 4x4 - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By bob - December 30 - 9:27 pm

  Great looking truck. Good pulling power. Havent had the chance to try out the 4 wheel drive.

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  love that Quadrasteer - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By CharlieT - December 30 - 1:29 pm

  I tow a 6000 lb Airstream and am very happy with the peformance. I have the 6.0 with a 3.73 rearend. I dont plan on getting a bigger trailer so I wanted to maximize mpg at the expense of a little more grunt. After almost three years and 25K miles I think I made the right choice. I get about the same as mileage towing (12 mpg)as I did pulling my 5000 lb Airstream with an Astro van but with much better stability, acceleration, and stopping power.

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  Its not a muscle car - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Keith - December 30 - 12:36 pm

  It took me a while for me to remember the last time you could buy a brand new car for less than 7k. Im impressed with the economics of the deal. Its a fun a little car to drive. I hope the information on the fuel economy is accurate.

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  Astros Rule - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By JC - December 30 - 9:02 am

  Our Astro van has served us wonderfully for the last 10 years. Other than a new transmission while still under warrenty it has not had any major problems. It is very powerful(for a minivan), fun to drive and comfortable on long trips.

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  Nervous New Owner - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Worry2Much - December 30 - 8:06 am

  When I was checking out the reviews on this site on the Equinox I was gung- ho. Then I read the discussion boards AFTER I bought it. Thought I made the biggest mistake. So far, I enjoy this vehicle. Quiet, spacious, fairly peppy. I have always driven a 5-speed manual (4 cylinder) so this is taking some getting used to!

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  My 2005 crew cab - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Roger Brinkmann - December 30 - 3:00 am

  I have not had any problems with this vehicle. It is good on gas if you dont step on the gas too hard when taking off from a stop. It could get better gas mileage on the interstate. Above 60 mph, gas mileage starts dropping

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  Private Rocketship - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Z06MOJO - December 29 - 11:33 pm

  Found my baby with only 3400 miles and in Torch Red $38,000 U.S. greenbacks later and out the door I went. This car is just flat out the quickest, fastest, most beautiful car I have ever owned. As always beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that is just fine by me and the Corvette critics are always going to be around and thats OK too. Bang for buck there are no cars that even come close to delivering the goods the way a Z06 can. Just a big ear to ear smile every time. Sure there is some road noise, interior could be a little more plush or fancy, but this car is so damn rewarding to drive that any small dislikes are dismissed with any seat time. That is why I have one in my garage

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  Great buy! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By hawkfan-man - December 29 - 7:46 pm

  We bought this car in Apr 05 as a left over 04 model. Got a great price on a vehicle loaded with features. Car has been trouble free and still looks and runs like new as we aproach 45000 miles. We couldnt be happier.

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  I Love This Truck - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Marilyn - December 29 - 6:01 pm

  I love this truck. I had no intentions of buying one. I was going to buy a Volvo XC-90. I flew into Memphis to visit my son in college. I rented a TrailBlazer and was pleasantly surprised, and the rest is history