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 boo - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Aleshea - March 2 - 12:39 am

  I am pleasantly surprised to have an affordable, reliable, American made car. My family of four drove on a long 1000 mile road trip in the Malibu. We got great gas mileage (33 mpg) and we were very comfortable. I love driving this car and found the price very reasonable. It was an easy choice!

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  So far, so good - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Otis - March 1 - 9:59 pm

  500 miles in and happy so far. After 500 mile oil change (due to Z-51 package) will put the hammer down and try the launch control.

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  Awsome Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By marro1 - March 1 - 6:48 pm

  This truck rides like a dream! I have found no other brand of truck that rides as smooth and quiet. Everyone who has been a passenger in this vehicle is extremly surprised at the quality of the ride. People find it hard to believe its a truck!

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  06 Monte Carlo SS - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Chris Paffett - March 1 - 1:46 pm

  I have a bias for the shape of the roofline on 2006-2007 Monte Carlos. For me it has lots of interior room, something that cost above 40K in a Asian or Euro coupe. It is very fast when you stand on it. I have upset at least the following imports; Audi Q7 with V-8, BMW 650 convertble, Porsche boxster. Yes it is a front wheel drive and a amiable performer one click down from the Pontiac GTO and the last year of the Z28 Camaro. It will deliver 25 to 28 mpg on flat highways when driven at speed limit, I average about 23 mpg on highway due to spirited driving. The Goodyears hum at around 45-55 mph then get quiet. Plenty of trunk room, leather seats are firm and so is suspension. Like it a lot.

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  Great Little Truck! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By chonny - March 1 - 4:42 am

  I really enjoy driving this truck. Ive had no problems at all. I have yet to get under 21 mpg. Have gotten as high as 28.1. The 2.8L 4cyl is very surprising in the amount of power it puts out. Would definitely buy another one if I was in the market.

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  Great Car - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By JoMama - February 28 - 10:55 pm

  My 3rd Impala since the new model in 2000 - kept the second so hubby can commute with it. Our kids are amazed at how spunky these sedans are, and the mileage is amazing. The SS mileage is lower, but of course the ave. speed is higher...great fun to drive. Makes the 2 hours/day a treat most days.

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  Best of all Crossover SUV - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By innofish - February 27 - 11:50 pm

  This vehicle is great compared to Escape, CRV, and RAV4 (style, comfort, and features. I traded my 97 Merc Mountaineer AWD (14 mpg). Never heard of Equinox until I started shopping around and researching to take advantage of the CARS program. I was very impressed the first time I test drove it. Stopping myself from purchasing the first one I test drove, I tried the 3 others mentioned above. I kept coming back to Equinox. Ideally, I wanted LT2 with 4 cyl but could only find LT2 with V6. I chose 4 cyl to take advantage of the mileage (to save almost $2K in fuel/year from my Moutaineer) so I had to settle with a sharp looking gray LT1 with black and silver interior.

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  New Love - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By PJSRIDE - February 27 - 1:29 pm

  I am a new/used Avalanche owner, and I am so happy with my purchace. Somebody pinch me. I traded in a 99 Tahoe, which I was very happy with, but we were approaching 100,000 miles, and hubby said it was time to trade it in. I only test drove Avalanches, because I liked the size and interior of my Tahoe, but would like the versatility of the box for bikes, fishing poles, etc. Also love the look. Love the zip, steers like a car, so so happy.

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  Excellent Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Army EOD - February 27 - 1:03 pm

  Ok I have had this truck for a week and I love it. I traded in my 07 1500 LS Crew Cab with a 4.8L because it didnt tow my trailer as good as I wanted. After dirving this truck for a week it flat out performs my 07, in every aspect. You can feel the power difference in the 08. Gas mileage has been good for me as well. I averaged 18.3 on the highway last night going 75-80 for 300 miles round trip. I guess with some mods it should get better. Not a fan of the smaller looking tires on this truck. As big as this truck is you would expect tires that fill the wheel wells. Again this is an excellent truck all around Great job GM.

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  First Impression - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By jay - February 27 - 10:33 am

  This vehicle is a very pleasant surprise. Im averaging 36 mpg overall. The ride is good, the car handles well, and it appears to be put together well.