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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  Excellent - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By tom c - June 13 - 8:18 pm

  This Avalanche is by far the best vehicle I have ever had. The ride is not only quiet, but it rides like a car, and is the best looking truck/SUV by far. If youre looking for a great family truck, this is it. No problems at all

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  Great SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Jesse - June 13 - 7:10 pm

  This will be the fourth Suburban we have owned, and this one is the one I have been wanting. It is white with all the toys. It is a great riding vehicle and gives you the comfort and safety you need to enjoy driving on trips.

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  Luv my Chevy - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Chris Heidt - June 13 - 3:53 pm

  This is my first experence with a Chevrolet, and I couldnt be more pleased. The most pleasent riding and handling pickup I have owned, and the service I recieve from the dealer I bought it from so far has been outstanding. Buy American always.

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  I was going to sell, but now I cant - 1994 Chevrolet Caprice
  By carino - June 13 - 11:25 am

  After reading everyone elses reviews, I realized how lucky I am to have this car. I could use the extra cash and thought about selling, but now I see I would probably regret it later. I have the police package too, and anytime I would take it in for service, they would say, "Well you have police tires" or "Police brakes are more expensive". It just makes the car all that much more interesting. Very reliable car, and I look forward to keeping her for many more years to come.

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  So Far So Good - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Acerock - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Bought this vehicle in January and have loged on about 15,000 miles. I love this truck. I have the 5.3 V8 and towed my Jet Ski to laughlin this summer several times and got over 400 miles on a tank of fuel while towing! Gas mileage aint so good in town(most likely due to the flowmaster exhaust and K&N FIPK). Runs really strong and sounds good with the addition of a flowmaster exhaust and K&N. The interior seems to be wearing well in fact it shows very little wear at all. The plastics used for the dash and in the armrest are all hard and cheap feeling. The rest of the materials seem to be of an acceptable quality.

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  Imported Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By FWG - June 12 - 4:28 am

  Reminds me of a Chevy economy car not an import. Nice ride for so little cost. Aveo is equal to a Nissan Sentra (Mid 90s model) in ride and quietness. Buy it cheap and drive the devil out of it!! (5/60 running gear warranty) Remember this is not a $20,000 car for $10,000 This is a $10,000 car that should be compared to another $10,000.00 car!

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  Awesome Car - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By DL1003 - June 11 - 6:03 am

  I finally made the move from my beloved C3! This car rocks! Great handling, smooth ride, excellent acceleration. Gas mileage exceeded my expectations.

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  Nice Car - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By J Dancik - June 11 - 2:20 am

  Very good, reliable car. People still look at it, as it is a very good looking auto.

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  Awesome Car - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By xavier seidl - June 10 - 9:50 pm

  The 2005 C6 is one awesome machine. The acceleration and handling is superior to prior models. I know this because I have owned a 1986, 1993, 1999, 2001, and now a 2005 convertible with a 6 speed. I love it. Chevrolet really has engineered a great car.

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  Everything I expected and more - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dr. Richie - June 10 - 6:00 pm

  Hard to get. But once you get the car its great! Fit and finish are excellent. It has good gas economy. I get 20 to 24 in the burbs. My car has every available option, although I can do without XM radio. I just wish the wind wasnt so loud when driving. The paint job is excellent, better than the past Vettes. Shifting could be more presice on the 6 speed. The headlights are fantastic! This car is too quiet. It needs a deeper, throaty sound.