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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  Great all around family car - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By austin - September 24 - 8:43 pm

  Ive owned my Suburban for 2 years. Its a truly great vehicle for hauling the family around. The gas mileage is around 15 city/18 highway. Chevy has come along way with the Suburbans. I had to replace the A/C at 50k miles, I have a 100k warranty, so it wasnt too bad.

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  Lot of car for the money - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By TimelessImagesSoCal - September 24 - 7:39 pm

  I looked at Nissan Altima, Toyota Camary, Honda Accord, all with 4cyl and automatic transmission. The Chevrolet Malibu was far better in the class and very affordable, unlike the others. Electric steering, great handling, has plenty of power for a 4cyl. I use 91 octane and for the $.30 extra I am seeing an extra 4 miles in the city and 7 miles more per gallon on the hiway. Wow! If you calculate that I am saving money at 41 mile per- gallon on the hiway at 65 miles an hour

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  Best of All Previously Owned Corvettes - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By archamrh - September 24 - 8:04 am

  This is the best of all the Corvettes Ive ever owned. Not that Ive owned many, just 4, but this C6 is so awesome. Just sitting in it feels so good, and to drive it is a feeling that is indescribable. You feel as if youre part of the road, and going up through the 6 speed transmission gives you that feeling of all that awsesome, raw power this really has! Before this, I had a slightly modified Y2K Vette that turned heads no matter where I was, even if parked! Ive had more people come to me in a parking lot just to ask questions about this gorgeous vehicle! I love everything about this. The fit and finish is so refined from previous years, and the comfort is awesome.

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  Id buy another one - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By M. Boren - September 23 - 9:15 pm

  I wasnt sure at first if I would like this car. It, however, has turned out to be one of my favorites. Undoubtably got my moneys worth for the super low price. Fun to drive. This car can zoom, and handles well in all weather conditions. Amazingly roomy inside and good trunk space. MP3 player is nice. Upkeep is a snap. I have had no problems of any kind. I was hoping for a little better gas mileage - average about 28/30. If you like small cars, this one can make you happy.

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  Best vehicle I ever owned - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Todd - September 23 - 6:11 pm

  The ride is unbelievable. So quiet and smooth. I have owned several Lexus sedans and would equate it much the same.

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  Vehicle For Life - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Jeff - September 22 - 8:26 pm

  This is my 2nd Avalanche. I owned a 2003 and it was nice, but the 2007 is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I will buy another Avalanche in a couple of years. I wish it got better gas mileage, but what do you expect with a 6000 lb vehicle? All my friends tell me it rides better than their cars.

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  07 Black Chevy Avalanche - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Chris - September 22 - 8:10 pm

  This is my first Avalanche and I cant tell you enough how much I enjoy this vehicle. This Avalanche is very fun to drive and has plenty of options to keep you occupied. The interior looks great and the seats are comfortable. I love the look of the exterior and I still get my neighbors wanting to check it out. You cant go wrong with this vehicle.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Mick - September 22 - 6:16 am

  We purchased this vehicle in March 05 for my wife and have made 6, 15 hour, 800 mile drives to Oregon and back to Calif. We have found it to be a confortable car to drive, handles very well, fuel economy is not bad for a 4WD. The seats are very confortable. Even when we had 5 people in the car for an extended drive. The Trailblazer had plenty of power to take us over the mountains. Controls are user friendly. The only poor design I found is when using the heater, it overheats the CD stereo system, the CDs become very hot, not good for the disks. The second is make sure your auto windshield wiper system is off, when going thru a car wash. Rear wiper replacement parts were 27.00.

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  Best truck for the money - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Chevy Colorado - September 21 - 3:20 pm

  Plenty of power, smooth transmission. Great looks. Perfect fit and finish. Very large bed, plenty of leg room. Havent had a single problem. Drives much smoother than the Tacoma and Frontier. Feels and handles great. The Z71 package adds more than just looks. The anti-slip rear drive with override works perfect as sliding out in wet conditions is prevented. Perfect alternative to the full size gas guzzlers.

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  Glad I bought it! - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By larry - September 21 - 9:48 am

  I had a Dodge Intrepid. Worst mistake ever! Got the Impala, and was happy from the moment I bought it. Much better quality overall. The gas mileage is very impressive for a large car. I tend to be a little heavy on the gas, and average 37 mpg on the road! Overall, I average 29 mpg. I would definitely buy another one. I hope the 3.4 is as good an engine!