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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  Got Milk? - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By LMX - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Thus far, I have had no problems with my car, and although it is less than 5 months old, I bought a 99 Z-24 brand new, and traded it in, so I had it around 3 years, with no major problems, and only normal wear and tear expenses with my very aggressive driving style. I race, and these cars have held up suprisingly well with the stresses I put it through, although I do keep it excellently maintained.

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  Big Red Z-71 - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By djames - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Feels like Im driving a Caddy without the 50k price tag

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  Avalanche owner review - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By MassiveAvalanche - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle since November of 2001. All i can say is this truck is fantastic. They have opened so many doors to the idea of having a truck. Its amazingly more pratical then an average truck, its powerful, and its so unique. Every pickup truck looks like every other pickup truck, apart from the grille. But the Avalanche has given a completely new look to a pickup truck. One that i find to be agressive (which in my opinion is AWESOME!) I have had no problems with it, and love it 100%. I would recommend this truck to anyone.

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  2002 Avalanche 8.1 2500 - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Gary Pfahler - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Have had the 8.1 2500 Avalanche since Sept. Nicest truck I have owned.

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  Leaking - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By sportsfan - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I love my Avalanche, and all the attention I get when Im driving. But Im confronting the dealership about a problem that just started happening. After one of our big Mississippi rain storms, the items stored in the back were soaking wet. Has anyone else encountered leakage?

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  Vibration between 58-60 MPH - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MikeS - October 25 - 2:00 am

  As described in Liz and NewOwners comments regarding the vibration around 60 mph, I have the exact same problem and have brought this problem to the attention of the selling dealership more than a few times. Although the service department was extremely friendly and sympathetic, diagnostics could not reveal the source of the problem nor any solution from GMC that would correct the problem. They mentioned that the problem could be anything from the engine to the transfer casing. The dealership said that GMC was aware of this problem and may be able to correct it via reprogramming of the vehicles computer. If I hear of any correction, Ill post here again.

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  What a Deal - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By d_vicsik.rm - October 24 - 6:53 pm

  Had to buy a car capable of handling my wife and I, two toddlers, and our three dogs (Great Dane, Boxer, Jack Russell). With the back seat slid forward (but back enough to allow legroom), the dog gate to the rear hatch is large enough to hold the Boxer and Great Dane. On a recent trip to Houston, I averaged 32 MPG on the highway at 70 MPH. Handling is borderline fun though the electric steering seems to sometimes lose the drivers intent and seems to emphasize torque steer at times during hard acceleration. With the dogs out and the back seat slid back, its a limo!

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  Overall, a good choice - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By sofa spud - October 24 - 12:28 pm

  Bought an 06 LT FWD with 12k miles and drove it for 16 months to 44k miles. Minor complaints: huge turning radius, noisy wipers and poor center console design. Lost traction in the snow and blew a head gasket getting unstuck. Covered by warranty and no other problems. Very comfortable and roomy for a small SUV. Average economy 23 mpg. Would still own it if gas prices hadnt gone so high in the spring of 2008 (I have a long commute and replaced it with a more economical vehicle).

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  Great but could be greater - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rodger Chinery - October 24 - 11:32 am

  Weve had the Malibu 3 months and a couple of thousand miles for two medium trips and a lot of city driving. Comfortable and quiet and smooth but not as quiet or smooth as the LT we tested at the same time. I think its the tires - LTZ sportier but if an absolutely smooth quiet cruiser is what you want, Id recommend the LT. Mileage isnt great but is what it said wed get. 17 city upper 20s on highway (at mostly 80)

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  2001 Chevy 2500HD - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Dave in Michigan - October 24 - 8:46 am

  Purchased at 30k miles, now 52k, no mechanical problems at all, runs great. Factory Firestone tires were terrible for ride and traction, switched to 265 BFG All Terrains, huge improvement. I like everything but the gas mileage. I get about 11.5 mpg.