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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  Best farm truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Farm Boy - October 8 - 10:00 am

  workhorse Reliably fun power mudinn truck like a rock good awsome cool never quiks on me

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  Lots of power - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Tony - October 7 - 2:56 pm

  I haul firewood in the winter time. I load the bed to capacity and a little beyond. The truck hauls it with little to no effort. Tons of power! I put BF Goodrich mud terrain tires for when I have to get off road to reach where I am cutting at. Effortlessly goes thru mud, off road conditions. Interior is spacious and comfortable. Very easy to clean and maintain. I have had no mechanical problems with this truck at all in over 3 years or ownership. Extremely solidly built. I see Dodge and Fords both in the shop. Not so with Chevy trucks!

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  With 75000 miles on it this is a true ev - 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mike - October 7 - 2:30 pm

  Mine is a 2002 with 75210 miles on it. I have owned it since new and love this truck just as much as the day I bought it. I have taken several extended trips in it and will not buy anything other than an Avalanche for as long as Chevrolet makes them.

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  I love my new ride - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Suzie - October 7 - 12:34 pm

  I went from an xterra to my Blazer, and I love the comfortable and quiet ride. It is so smooth, you hear no outside noises! I like the bigger size, I had an older Blazer 1995 and I loved it also, but more room is great!

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  Chevy Malibu is a must have! - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By mrs_mcgraw2004 - October 6 - 5:32 pm

  I purchased my 2003 Chevy Malibu early 2005 and it has been the best purchase ever! I love everything the car has to offer from electric start to super fast acceleration. I would definitely buy another one in the future. Oh yeah, And the XM satellite radio factory installed is excellent.

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  03 Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By David Fox - October 5 - 6:47 pm

  I have consistantly had 30 to 33 highway mpg with the 3800 engine from 88 and 01 Bonnevilles to this 03 Impala. 25 to 27 mpg in town. Encountered no mechanical repairs. Oil changed each 3000 miles.

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  No complaints - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Dennis - October 5 - 4:33 am

  For the money (with rebate = $11,700 with a rear spoiler the only option), I am very happy with this car. Im getting 34 mpg, and I have enough acceleration when I need it. Im getting too old to drive crazy, so this car is fine. Its got a solid ride for a coupe and looks great. The onboard trip computer is awesome too. For the money, you cant go wrong on this car. Id have preferred going with a Civic or Corolla, but take the nameplate off this Chevy and you wouldnt be able to tell the difference. And this car looks better to boot.

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  Str8ups - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Str8ups - October 4 - 11:44 am

  This car to date is a smooth ride, comfortable, sleek, and a good buy. It is a car that many are asking about. My last car was a Cavalier. The Cavalier is a good car as well. I had it 10 years and it is still in good working order. I hope the testament of the Cavalier is a indicator of what to expect of the Malibu.

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  SSR 6 speed - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By F Mitchell - October 4 - 11:13 am

  Drives and looks great. The six speed is fun to drive and has plenty of power in all six gears. It gets lots of looks everywhere I go.

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  Unusual - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By C. Taylor - October 4 - 3:34 am

  With aftermarket Michelin Pilots (18 inch), I average 19-20 mpg. This is partly attributable to fuel efficiencies that GM developed over time. I try to tell as many people as possible, since I think the perception is that big SUVs get 10 or less. This is my second Tahoe - I traded in a 2004.