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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  What an improvement! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lou - June 7 - 11:30 pm

  I believe this recently redesigned Silverado is the best I have seen in 20 years! The truck handles well and the hybrid rear axle is awesome. I did get the 5.3 liter FlexFuel with Active Fuel Management. This helps on the highway but around town I have seem little in the way of savings. It still does better in mileage than my neighbors new Dodge with a smaller engine and no high gear ratio in the rear axle, like my Silverado. If you need a half-ton to tow a medium- sized travel trailer, nothing beats the Silverado!

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  Suprisingly Solid and Roomy - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Angela - June 7 - 8:47 pm

  We just purchased this car when my grandma couldnt drive it anymore. It has 12,000 miles on it, and is in like new condition. Having driven only SUVs for a while, I am blown away at how well this little car handles and how much cab space there is for people. Our 2 teens and a 7 year old fit comfortably in back (as comfortable as our last SUV). Our first trip was 750 miles with 4 people (weighing 600 lbs. total) and packed to the hilt with our stuff. We got 34 mpg on the highway. Acceleration is good on the interstate, even on hills. I just took a 16 hour trip in a Toyota Matrix that didnt do so well and didnt handle as good. Im only getting 22-26 mpg in the city, but I drive fast.

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  Best Ive Owned - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Sherry - June 7 - 7:53 pm

  Leased this truck for work - I wasnt sure if Id want to keep it long term. I drove it and bought it! Ive stayed on the road during horrendous winter weather using only the stock tires. Hauled drywall, flooring, sod, dirt, rock, garbage - you name it - and it comes clean and looks great for the daily commute. With gas prices rising Ive been thinking I should look at something cheaper to run but I dont want to - this is the best vehicle Ive owned/driven in 30 years.

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  Waynes HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By 2G1WT58K069210822 - June 7 - 2:13 pm

  My wife and I are retired and bought our HHR for the fun of it. We liked the style and compfort right off. We have the 2LT model with all options except OnStar, we miss this option. I am looking froward to the new SS model or what ever they may call it, to come out. We will most certainly be looking.

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  Terriffic Vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Happy in Colorado! - June 7 - 12:55 am

  Bought the Avi in California, drove it in desert with great comfort. Moved to Colorado mountains with ABS, Stabili- trak, and 4WD on 20" wheels you simply cannot get this vehicle stuck in the Colorado winter! Much better comfort and feeling of safety and security than in my previous 2006 Avi. Fuel economy is very acceptable for the size of the Avi E-85 delivers almost same mpg as gasoline plenty of E-85 in Colorado and at about a dollar a gallon less cost that gasoline the cost factor is impressive, even with a slightly lower mpg. Much better in winter in the Rockies than my neighbors Escalade with 2WD.

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  Best new truck around. - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Chevydriver - June 6 - 10:56 pm

  I have the Z85 LS 2wd Crew Cab with the I5 3.5L engine and auto tran. This truck replaced a 97 S-10 LS Ext. Cab. Although the truck is really new, I dont see any outstanding complaints. It is very fuctional and most of all, fun to drive. The features you get these days on GM trucks is impressive for the price. I did my comparison homework and found that with all the rebates from GM and low MSRP, the Colorado is the best value in its class. Althoug the Crew Cab shortens the bed to 5, it does not look carlike compared to a Ford Sport-trac. With the additon of the towing package you have room for 5 people, the gear in the bed and a smaller "toy" to haul to the lake or woods!

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  I like the truck - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Ed - June 6 - 9:20 pm

  I bought this truck new in 11/07 and traded in my Toyota 2004 Tacoma. This is my first American truck and I am pleased. I have over 16000 miles and it rides great. It holds the road and drives like a car. I had no trouble pulling my 6000lb skid loader out of the mud and towing large chippers.

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  Unhappy console - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By unhappy - June 6 - 8:15 pm

  Overall I like the 2008 Chevy Equinox however I am very unhappy with the center console. The emergency brake is in the wrong spot and the 12VDC outlet is right under the pullout cupholders. Liquid and power do not mix well. I am really unhappy after reading earlier articles about the 2006 Chevy Equinox with the same complaints. Will American car companies ever get their act together?

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  #1 full size SUV on the planet - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By ltz - June 5 - 8:54 pm

  Can not believe I finally own one! Completly a dream ride, most forgiving. The best part is waking up in the morning, and seeing that Chevy LTZ Tahoe in the driveway!

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  A good first car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Monica - June 5 - 3:12 pm

  This was my first car and I couldnt ask for anything better. Its affordable and very reliable. Ive only had it for 2 months but its been wonderful. As of now I only average 18 mpg, but its brand new. After I break it in I hope to average at least 24 mpg. Otherwise theyll need to be more honest about the actual mileage.