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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  Second Venture Van - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Rich Larsen - January 5 - 2:14 pm

  This is my second Venture van. The first was totalled when it was rear ended at 50-60 MPH while I was stopped waiting for a traffic light. There was no choice for a replacement van except for the color-the dealer had about 90 Ventures in stock. I have toured the country with my first van. It had 77,000 miles on it when totalled and my present van has 38,000 trouble free miles. I dont understand the poor rating and comments you gave it. What are "coarse engine characteristics?"

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  Big Boy - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Big Dredd - January 4 - 8:41 pm

  I have always wanted a truck and I got my chance after my brother bought my Honda. I am about 60 230lbs so I needed something with some space. Picked up a fully loaded Z71 and havent looked back since. Smooth and powerful engine but mouse quiet interior. 2nd row buckets make inside look like a living room and my kids love having their own seats. Bose/Navi system are great and add a sweet touch while the Rear DVD keeps kids busy. The DVD also has input/output ports for my game systems! Very easy to drive and handles like a car but doesnt sip gas like one. BEWARE! GAS GODZILLA! I fill up every 10 or so days. I also live in the city but wow. Gonna trade up in 2007 if GM develops a Hybrid!

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  Wow - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Sean Jonas - January 4 - 5:23 pm

  I have driven literally hundreds of cars, and this Cobalt has the quietest interior of all. Combine that with the MUST HAVE pioneer stereo system, the electronic assist steering and the constant looks with the Blue Granite paint, what you get is the best car in the price range period. Fantastic cornering, is one feature North American cars have been lacking but not in the Cobalt. Fun Fun Fun

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  Theres nothing wrong with car - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By occasional renter - January 4 - 5:16 pm

  Ive seen various reviewers trash the cavalier over the years. I am driving the 2005 and it is a very nice car. it is not as smooth as the Hyndai Elantra, but the Cavalier has a good feel to it. I enjoy driving it. The interior plastic is cheap. It is perfectly acceptable for an economy car.

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  Great Family Truckster - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By sub-lover - January 3 - 11:15 pm

  Great car for the family. Good power. My wife thought it would be hard to drive, but quickly fell in love with it. She really doesnt have any trouble parking or driving it. Tows my boat very well too!

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  my new used Tahoe - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Jimmie - January 3 - 1:50 pm

  I just bought the truck from a 1 owner who kept great care of the car. It has two security systems and only 37000 miles I couldnt be happier. Love the memory seats and great performance.

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  Great Car for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Blazer
  By LP - January 2 - 6:49 pm

  Took the SUV on a mountain road with lots of snow. We were the first ones on the road. It was awesome. The car climbed the steeps very well and did a u- turn with ease. One the way down, the car geared down low enough so we didnt even need to use our brakes. What a fun car.

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  fun and value - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By gary - January 2 - 12:16 pm

  I ahd a cavalier back in 1999 and came back to it in 2005. the car is really quite well made, fun ti drive and has all the feel of a more expensive sports car with the ls coupe edition. Im afairly big guy, 510 240 and the only thing i could ask for is a little more head room. othe than that im thrilled, love driving it and would like to hold on to this one for a while.!

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  2004 5 Speed Coupe - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rickey - January 2 - 11:26 am

  Awesome engine and trans. The base Civic 5 speed I tested had anemic acceleration compared to the base Cavalier. The Cavalier sticks to the road very well with an acceptable ride quality. The BASE stereo with CD rocks! I also own a 93 Cavalier 4 door with 223,000 miles which is still very dependable(only unscheduled maint.was a set of fuel injectors), and another 04 Cavalier this is my wifes car which is an automatic with 24,000 trouble free miles. My "other car" is a 96 Caprice with 178,000 miles. I am very impressed by the amount of car Chevrolet offers for $10k. Based on the price, mileage, and reliability I have received I can personally say the imports dont impress me at all.

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  Sporty looks, fun to drive - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Wiccan1 - January 2 - 7:55 am

  I have only driven the car about 2500 miles so far. It is great looking, great on gas, comfortable, and pretty peppy for a 4 cyl. I took the car on a 1500 mile cross country trip, the only problem I had was from the Highway Patrol.lol