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:

• 

  I love it - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Joe Pariso - January 13 - 1:24 pm

  Gets 22.5 on the hiway in 2wd. Did not use 4wd yet, You ride in comfort and security with the OnStar and a 6 cyl eng that you dont hear it run. Very solid and I love to drive it.

• 

  My 2007 Cobalt SS/SC - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Henry_the_Red - January 13 - 12:16 pm

  Well first things first, I love my Cobalt SS. The power is there when you need it, design and interior layout fit the car nicely. Only downfall I dislike about this car is the spoiler, which is going to be removed when I have some extra cash. Also I had a porous head which had to be replaced by the dealership, but other than that the car runs and performs great. Good buy in my opinion and not too bad for gas mileage, currently getting 29.4 mpg when I dont get on the gas.

• 

  Overall: Great Car - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Patric - January 13 - 5:50 am

  I got this vehicle over 3 years ago and Im still very happy with it. I really like the overall exterior and interior design, but theres one large flaw; you cant get 2nd row bucket seats, so its difficult getting to the back row. I had a brake problem not very long after getting it, but since then, nothing bad has happened. It also gets decent fuel economy and has a good turn circle. Though its expecting a redesign next year, so Im looking forward to what GM brings to the table in the struggling SUV market

• 

  2004 aveo - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By kevin - January 12 - 11:17 pm

  I purchased the car for work. Drive around 65000 per year. Car has been very dependable. Slight problems. Both front wheel bearings have been replaced. Timing belt broke at 60,000. Chevrolet paid for almost all of the work to be done. Get about 30 mpg with car. Wish the mileage was a little better. Overall very satisfied with car and plan to buy another in 2006.

• 

  Hard to Believe its a Malibu! - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jon Nosakowski - January 12 - 1:42 pm

  The car drive smooth and is very comfortable for long trips. The six speaker stereo sounds excellent. The gas mileage is so-so. I feel I drive "normally" and I average 18.2 MPG city. But, it beats the mileage I got with my 95 Z28! The looks are what makes the vehicle! There is no need for after market anything (except maybe a chip).

• 

  2005 Chevy Work Truck 5 speed Manual LB - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jim - January 12 - 5:06 am

  Great MPG in a full size truck. At 76000 miles a proven winner. Too bad Chevy didnt think to make a 2008 stick version.

• 

  Happy Happy Happy - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By AVdriver - January 11 - 11:17 pm

  This is my second Avalanche, I put 7200 miles on the first one and never had a problem. Great truck

• 

  A legend in its own time - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Marc Bazell - January 11 - 9:46 pm

  Well, here it is nearly 4 years since I took delivery of my Canadian made 02 Z28, and still performs like the Vette, the Porsche 911 (0-60MPH), the A4, and can outrun any Mercedes BMW and the new Charger RTS. I use synthetic oil (Mobil One 10W- 30),rotate the tires faithfully, maintain about 5 psi above Chevys recommended 30 psi, change the air filter every 6 months, just flushed the cooling system, brake system and transmission with 18,000 miles on the vehicle. And for all that nit-pickey extra maintenence, I get a whopping 33 MPG @ 70 MPH w/cruise control set. Now, lets see what GM has to offer with the new upgrade Camero next year. So far I like what I hear from rumour central.

• 

  Most Comfortable SUV Ever - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By CJHAYGOOD - January 11 - 6:01 pm

  I love driving this horse. it is a cofortable cruising truck as well as a get up and go truck. The V8 kicks in smooth and the fuel mileage is not bad. We have added a few features along with the VCR. All the omforts of home with the exception of a bathroom. Chevy builds them tough, however they also realize that women prefer the comfort factors offered in the Tahoe.

• 

  Great Combo - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Bare - January 11 - 3:57 pm

  The most comfortable, good looking, safe, rides like a dream and handles that way. The best vehicle I have ever owned, Honda must think so, they copied the style for their new truck. I have not had one problem with this Avalanche.MPG is 18.1 city 22.9 HWY Thats a fact.