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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  2005 Colorado Z71 4x4 - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Larry Heyen - November 5 - 9:16 am

  It does have a vibration at highway speed. GM says its the tires, so Im about ready to put Goodyears or Michelins. Its had three sets of Generals & didnt fix the problem.

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  Best US Car Ever - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Carguy - November 4 - 10:36 am

  I just purchased my 06 Malibu in the Dark Metallic Blue. By far the best US car I have owned. The only complaint I have is the lack of longer seat bottoms. I stand almost 6 ft and my knees hang over the edge. Not that comfortable. Other than that I highly reccomend it. The V-6 Is a great performer

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  New Impala better than ever - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By jad22nd - November 4 - 3:36 am

  I traded my 2001 Impala in on a 2006 Impala 2LT. Black w/ ebony cloth interior. The new impala has much better interior dash materials and looks alot better too. The new audio and climate controls are easy to read and understand the the dash is backlit very well.

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  Excellent car for a firstimer! - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By anthony - November 4 - 12:16 am

  After three months of painstaking dilemma, I finally got this car! My first ever car! Looks are great both in and out. Its easy to maneuver, comfortable, very economical, and lots of space inside! I had test driven almost a dozen of cars, but the Chevy had its advantages. Thats why I chose it!

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  A True Performer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Xygris - November 3 - 8:07 pm

  I have had my TrailBlazer for two years now and I havent had any problems which is surprising as I got the fully loaded version with all the extras except for the DVD and navigation. I thought I would be willing to put up with some problems for the price but I havent had one! My first scheduled maintenance service was at 25,000 miles and only cost me $66. I love the oil life monitor that comes with the onboard computer, because I do not beat on the vehicle. Ive only had to change the oil three times in 25,000 miles. And I do get 15.1 miles city and 17 mpg on the highway because I keep it waxed with nufinish and use the cruise control. I have towed to near its rated capacity with four people.

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  2007 Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By 07 Tahoe Owner - November 3 - 3:36 pm

  The best thing about this vehicle is when you are finished accelerating it shifts from a V-8 to a 4 cylinder without you knowing it except at the gas pump. Im getting 24 mpg on the highway. It looks like an Escalade. The only thing that I dislike is the way the exhaust pipe looks. Other than that, I love my Tahoe.

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  Go Avy - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By AVVY - November 3 - 3:28 pm

  The Avy is a great vehicle! My only complaint is the fuel cost, but that is because I bought it before gas went through the roof. The ride is great and smooth, and there are a ton of features I love. I use it as a pickup often, and always get what I need done. I recommend this truck to anyone that likes a bit of luxury with the versitility of a pickup truck

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  Nice SUV - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Graten - November 3 - 12:26 pm

  Ive had my TB for 10 months and Ive driven it in city, highway, and on 4WD trails. Ive also slept in it for a couple of nights while elk hunting. This is a good all around vehicle especially for the money. It is big enough to be fairly comfortable sleeping in the back with the seats down when you need it. The only down side is that HWY mileage at interstate speeds (75MPH) is only around 17 1/2 to 18 MPG (rated at 21 mpg) although I do have a slightly higher rear end gear so others may do better. Driving in town yields around 13-14 mpg.

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  What a car! - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By billjo4 - November 3 - 12:16 pm

  This is one great automobile. Fit and finish is superb inside and out. The powertrain is very quiet and responsive. The interior is quiet, no squeaks or rattles. This is a "tall" car, you sit deep into the seats and it gives you a real sense of security and confidence, not to mention it corners like a cat. I am so impressed with this car, several friends have bought one on my suggestion and a test drive. A "best buy" in its class!

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  Love this car - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By John Walters - November 2 - 6:46 pm

  I thoroughly enjoy my MC SS. Its maroon red and drives like a dream. The gas mileage is right around 30 mpg. Its comfortable and stylish.