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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  Decent Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Truck Lady - January 18 - 11:10 pm

  I like this truck. It handles well, mechanically has only had one problem and that is the tempermental a/c and heat control. I had it replaced when the truck was 3 months old. It went out again shortly after but we had already put 360,000 on it so we couldnt get it replaced. So most of the time it works, but not always. Seat backs are uncomfortable on long drives. Instead of being flat they wrap around and our backs get wedged in and ache after a while. I have to take a pillow for traveling.

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  Best buy - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Don Trimm - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I would buy it again. I like the truck it has never let me down in any way. It has power to pull my gooseneck horse trailer,it does really well in 4-wheel drive. It hauls hay, feed, lumber, in 80000 miles I have never had any trouble out of it. Put the key in and turn the switch it starts and runs put it in gear and it goes put on the brakes and it stops you cant beat that.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Leroy - January 17 - 3:03 pm

  Only had one problem so far and it was in the first 500 miles. Had a bad squeak in the left front due to a dry (no grease) tie rod. Dealer replaced tie rod have had no more problems. Current mileage 13200

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  I love my car - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By sweater32 - January 16 - 7:21 pm

  The LTZ Malibu is a dream come true car for the price. I love the way it handles going slow and fast. It can turn on a dime. I love the data that you can see readily: mph, how many miles you have left on your tank of gas, when oil should be change, The average mph you are traveling, two trip mileage. The direction you are traveling on the mirror (NSEW) Onstar for free for one year. Heated seats, leather seats and steeriing wheel. The radio can be accessed on the steering wheel including mute.

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  The best car Ive ever experianced - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Hubert - January 16 - 2:23 pm

  The 2004 Chevy Aveo LS 4 door sedan, is by far the best car Ive ever driven and/or owned. I have been abundantly surprised at how reliable, comfortable and durable this car has been. It is small enough to get into tight spots and large enough to carry all things necessary and ride in complete comfort. My husband is a tall man and most small cars he has to slouch in. The Aveo allows him to sit strait up and have all the room he needs, without leaving me (who is a foot and a half shorter) swimming. I highly recommend the Aveo to all I encounter.

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  Fun in Florida - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Joe in FL - January 16 - 3:28 am

  Ive had the truck for about 6 months now and it is awesome! The 3.5L is worth the money... if you like performance and fuel economy, that is. My city and 80mph highway driving continually averages better than 20mpg. This is good for me because I have a lead foot. The A/C is cold, and cools quickly (and I live in Miami). It looks very, very much like a Honda inside, and classy with silver accents, which is to say better than a Honda. Maybe Im easily pleased - go to a dealer and see for yourself. Im trying to think of something bad to say about it.... (nothing yet).

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  02 Camaro SS - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Phillip Reynolds - January 16 - 3:00 am

  These cars are absolutely wonderful. They are a blast to drive, especially on good curvy roads!!! I would highly recomend this car to any performance enthusiast out there that wants a sports car.

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  5000 miles - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By corvette Jim - January 16 - 2:22 am

  I have owned a Jag, Mercedes, Nissan & Lexus. The 05 Vette has by far the best sports car peformance & style. The C6 really is a beautiful machine inside and out.

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  Bang for your buck - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By gordon shumway - January 15 - 10:00 am

  i had mixed feelings on this car until i drove it for the first time. it drives as well as much more expensive sedans and has a powerful engine for the price. the cargo room is plentiful and rear passengers have as much legroom as the driver. a blast to drive for $20,000.

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  Best_Truck_Around - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By JRID - January 15 - 10:00 am

  I love this truck! It isnt perfect, but I find myself wanting to drive it constantly which is contrary to my (normal) desire to conserve gas. Anyway, it is very quiet, smooth and a pleasure to drive. My first tank of gas netted 21 MPG and should go up after the break-in period. Even though it has good power, I find myself cruising at moderate speeds as the temptation to drive fast is not there. Its just plain fun to drive in a relaxed manner. I did kick it up once to see what the "bean counters/lawyers" limited the top speed. It "nosed over" at 98 MPH, but it got there damned quickly!