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:

• 

  This is one great truck. - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Reel Love - March 11 - 4:21 pm

  This is Avalanche #2 (and I am about to buy #3). There is no comparing this car to a Ford, Dodge etc. They are not as flexible, nor have the fuel economy that the Avalanche has. 19.9 MPG Hwy, 13.5 city avg 16.5 MPG. The midgate is terrific. The vehicle is as comfortable as the Escalade yet costs $1,000s less and uses less gas. It is a truck, SUV, SUT, and luxury car all at once (I know, I also drive a BMW 528it). Never had anyone say anything negative about my Avalanche. No major problems, some minor ones, all covered by warranty. Dealer has been great. Mine is Z71 LT w/o cladding pretty loaded. Z71 is not necessary. Side rails are a must. Dont hesitate to buy, you will love yours too

• 

  Best Bang for the Buck - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By bill - March 11 - 1:31 pm

  Went to the dealership to buy a key and ended up testing a Z06. What a mistake! I havent felt this power since the muscle cars of the 60s- 70s! Needless to say I bought the car. This car brings the most smiles per mile and it compares to cars over twice its cost in performance and appeal. Love it!

• 

  Overall Good Car - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By usedmeacar - March 11 - 12:25 pm

  My wife and I bought this car off a "lemon lot" in the NW. It had I wanna say 130,000 on it when we bought for lil over 2k. The only thing we have had to replace was the ECM and that was a year after we bought it. Overall the car has never left me stranded and always starts(unless she dosnt shut off the dome light) I then sold it to my sister at 189,000 miles and then bought it back at 192,000. And with OEM struts, they are totally shot and the car feels like its going to leave the road, and now rides like a lumber truck.

• 

  Disappointed - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Steve - March 11 - 11:13 am

  I bought this car in a hurry because my last vehicle was totaled in an accident, and I needed something to get back and forth to work. Ive always heard how "great" Cavaliers were so I took a chance on a GM car. Never again! Everytime I turn around the "service" or "check engine" light is on. The car has only 40,000 miles on it and Ive spent thousands on things that I dont think shouldve gone out already. Oh well, I guess its back to buying an import.

• 

  Great Buy - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Dave - March 11 - 10:03 am

  We bought our TrailBlazer in 05 after owning 3 Blazers since 1995. This truck handles well, is much more comfortable, has more power and has proven to be extremely reliable. It has been to the dealer four times since we got it, all for scheduled oil changes, nothing else. This thing is loaded with great options such as dual heat controls, front and back, XM satellite radio, OnStar, heated leather seats, sunroof, and more. Mileage varies from around 15-16 in town to as high as 22 mpg on the highway. Would definitely buy another! Chevy has a winner.

• 

  Best used car purchse to date - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By TEEGEE - March 11 - 10:00 am

  The Chevy Monte Carlo was by far the most comfortable, quietest and best handling car of the cars I tested. The interior is well equiped, (it could use another cup holder and a place for sun glasses) the leather supple, the instrument cluster easy to see. The steering is tight and has a well defined feeling to it. The ride is quieter than the Toyota. Acceleration is a bit on the slow side from zero to sixty. The transaxle shifts very smoothly; the ride is soft not spongy. Rear headroom is limited to those over six-feet tall. The fold down rear seating is a nice feature. Of the used cars I have owned this is the best.

• 

  Im Happy - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By papsonp - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Im happy with my little Aveo. Well built, comfortable, and effecient. Sedan is convenient. Trunk is roomy with rear seat access. Rides like a bigger car, firm but not harsh. Sufficient power fro long inclines at highway speed.

• 

  2004 vs 2000 - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By spotts - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I have purchased 2 SS Montes and while I have loved them both, I need to ask why GM cheapened it in 2004. I did a favor for my inlaws and passed along my 2000 SS with only 31000 and ordered my 2004 expecting it to be identical, boy was I surprised. GM removed the gear selection from the console, took out the glove box light, did away with the coin holder, and took off the "Monte Carlo" emblems from the side. And what is up with all of the mirrors being black except on the yellow paint. I love my SS, but I cant believe that GM removed some of the "nice to have" items to gain a few bucks, shame on you.

• 

  Avalanche 2WD Z66 - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mbh212 - March 11 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Avalanche. Having owned a 2002 I was extremely pleased with the design and especially the smooth ride.

• 

  Not too impressed - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rick Burger - March 11 - 10:00 am

  After the flash wears off, this is just a typical Corvette, plastic & a bigger than average motor. Big whoop de do! I want the C-6 and am in line already. Most people dont like the fat & bald stereotype connected to being a vette owner & the chicks dont like fat & bald vette owners either - its just a stigma that I cannot shed.