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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  1999 Hardtop - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Jerry - December 18 - 1:30 pm

  Simply a great car with no problems. It is fun to drive & lots of power whenever you feel the need. The optional active handling system & great brakes makes it one of the safest cars on the road. Surprisingly on the highway at 70 mph in 6th gear it will average 32+ miles per gallon.

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  Poor Mans Mini - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By arlcova - December 18 - 12:00 pm

  The hatchback is a great, practical, "city car" because of its ability to squeeze into tiny parking spaces, good gas mileage, good manueverability, and small turning radius. I am 64" and fit very comfortably (a major reason I purchased). Lots of cargo space too, when seats are folded down, and surprisingly roomy back seats. Its designed for people on a budget--its not sexy, nor does it have the "fun" feel and amenities of sportier models. On the other hand, its reliable basic transportation that meets or exceeds all of my expectations for a car in its class. With GM card rebate and other incentives I got mine for around $7K. Cant beat that!

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  2004 Colorado Z71 Fun - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Wieland - December 18 - 10:32 am

  A fun small truck, with plenty of get up and go with the 5 cyl engine. Tows a 2000 lb boat with ease! The drivers seat feels a little off center, especially with a little back support cranked in. Everything easily within drivers reach. A real nice thing to have would be radio controls on the steering wheel! Pushing 20 MPG on the highway at 60MPH, dropping steadily as speed increases. The dash panel cover just looks cheap.

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  Amazing for a Chevy - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By malibuman08 - December 17 - 4:36 am

  Its a great car and I would honestly consider it better than my wifes 2007 Honda Accord. Although the Accord is faste its a v6, the interior of the Chevy isnt quite as nice as the accord but its better than my previous Toyota Avalon

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  Most reliable SUVon market - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dylan - December 17 - 12:19 am

  I have 63,488 miles on my Suburban, and I only had it at the dealer 2 times, for tire rotation and oil changes. Never failed to start up in the -20 degree temperatures in the morning. Definently a best buy

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  Avalanche of show and might - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By don - December 16 - 6:44 am

  Indeed a great show of power and looks. It is rugged yet with refined maneuverability and interior design. My wife finds the masculinity and yet get the utility one finds in a kitchen (table?)! I feel the thundering power when it revs up to 110/mph or humping mountains in NH. It is like an Abrams tank that every car in your path, that is in the fast lane, move to the right of the highway when you come to their tail. The gas mileage is awful though but still manageable compared to others of its class.

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  Second Car surprise - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By dagdthompson - December 15 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I bought this car as a vehicle for me to drive back and forth to work. However, we have been using it more than our minivan. The trunk is large enough for the bicycle trailer we have for our children, with room to spare, and we have a rack to carry our bicycles on the roof. I would not have been able to carry as much in the 94 Cavalier I used to own as I am able to get in this car. As my wife cant drive a vehicle with manual transmission, that makes this my car. We can even carry on a conversation without having to raise our voices on the interstate doing 70 mph.

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  A lot for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By 4 chevies - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Rebates and discounts got me this $23,150 Maxx LS with preferred package for an even $13,000. I priced them for months and waited until the time was right.This vehicle has a great blend of features for performance, comfort, economy, etc.

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  Avalanche Rating - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Jeffreyd - December 15 - 10:00 am

  It is a great vehicle, good fuel economy for a full size truck, great ride, very versatile and a joy to drive.

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  BEST EVER - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By joe peters - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I OWN 8 GM TRUCKS & CARS &THIS BY FAR IS THE MOST AUSUM PIECE OF AUTOMOBILE EQUIPMENT I HAVE EVER DRIVEN OR OWNED.THE BODY STYLING IS BY FAR THE BEST EVER,THE HP IS TOO MUCH TO HANDLE,BUT IM SURE ILL GET USE TO IT VERY QUICKLY.THE HANDLING IS VERY TIGHT NO SWAYING OF BODY IN CURVES OR SHARP TURNS.GREAT AUTOMOBILE LADIES & GENTELMEN