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 Truck Ever! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By slademan - June 17 - 7:00 am

  I have had this truck for four months. All I can tell you is it is the best truck ever produced. From the aggresive exterior to the very refined interior this truck has it covered.

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  Chevy Rider - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Kalena - June 16 - 10:37 pm

  I love my Chevy. I dont know why everyone is having problems. I have a 2006 Impala and it never gave me problems. We brought it with high miles on it it is a nice luxury car without paying luxury money. I love the way it handles me

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  I like it so far. - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By t21969 - June 16 - 6:46 pm

  It is large and comfortable enough for my wife, three kids and I, and I am 64" 280lbs. My Suzuki DR 400 fits in the bed fine with the tailgate down. It has a smooth ride and handles the Texas Panhandle roads well. We have not owned it long enough to get a real test on mileage but I like what I have seen so far.

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  Great little truck - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By BigRed3195 - June 16 - 5:37 pm

  Love this truck and I would recommend one to anyone. Chevy made a big mistake when they stopped making them. They are very reliable and are a joy to own and drive. Great on gas too, Im currently getting 30+ mpg on the highway and 25+ mpg city driving. Great performance for a 4-cylinder truck, even when loaded. Easy to modify to. This S10 is the 2nd one that Ive owned for a work truck and I have had 3 others for project trucks/ street machines. Love em.

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  The Lucky One - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Luckygirl - June 16 - 4:24 pm

  I own a 2004 Colorado extented cab ZQ8. I love my truck. The only problem Im having is the AC works good on 4 but on 1,2,3 dont hold your breath. I have 62,000 miles and I still get around 24 - 27 mpg. This truck has the get up and go. I turn heads and when Im on the freeway people move out of my way. Im not sure if its the yellow that makes them move or if they are letting me by just to get a glance of the beauty

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  Satisfied - 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jeffb5150 - June 16 - 3:13 pm

  Very satisfied with my new Silverado except the cloth seat shows and catches lent and you get zapped from static when its cold and dry

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  LTZ is the best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Michael - June 16 - 1:51 pm

  I have always been a Ford fan, and still have nothing bad to say, but this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I love this truck. I looked at the F-150, Tundra and even the MB GL, but I was drawn back to this truck every time. Its functional, practical, has a very roomy and comfortable back seat, the plactic bed cover is more durable than the steel ones I have seen. I own a BMW and this trucks interior fit and finish is just as luxurious as my BMWs is. I have never been happier with a purchase, Im averaging 15 MPG, not great, but not bad for a pickup. I had a lot of people point me towards the Tundra, I would not do an even swap if you paid me $10k more. Im a bowtie guy now!

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  Outstanding multi-purpose vehicle! - 1996 Chevrolet Express
  By johngcarr - June 16 - 1:26 pm

  I bought this van 2 years ago having 174k miles on it. Im approaching 200k now and it runs like new. It does need brakes every 15k because its fairly heavy. I average 19+ mpg highway with a 5.7 350 V8, 8000lb towing capacity conversion van that is exceptionally comfortable for 7 people. If it ever does wear out Ill buy another one, but from talking to other owners it likely never will. This is the original engine and transmission having no repairs other than a radiator and a fuel pump at 185k. I understand the 4.3 v6 model to be just as good except for towing capability.

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  Gas mileage wins - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By MustangGT - June 16 - 12:19 pm

  In these trying times, our auto transmission LT sedan has shown outstanding gas mileage. Over 28 mpg around town all the time. It isnt suppose to be that good says the EPA, but well take it. Its a fun car, quieter than many other four cylinder cars in its class. We bought it used from a local Chevy dealer and after three months, no headaches.

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  Gas Mileage is Bad! - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Boo~ - June 16 - 11:53 am

  I really love this car, love the look, enjoy the feel of it while driving, having OnStar has been fun- and my daughter loves usign the OnStar phone. Plenty of room for the family dog in the back seat as well. In sport read this car was my idea of a fun car! I get 27.5 miles per gallon using the interstate between home and work, I am very disappointed in the gas mileage. I use cruise control every day and I never get more than 27.5- some folks say they are getting 400 miles out of 11 gallons Yeah Id like to see that done in person, you have to see it to believe it. Other than the gas issue at 4.12 per gallon I really love this little car.