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:

• 

  Vette - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Vette - February 9 - 2:50 pm

  I woke up one day and decided it was time to treat myself to a sports car. I went to the dealer and walked out with the Vette 1 hour later. This is by far the nicest car I ever drove. I was never a Vette person until I got behind the wheel and drove it.

• 

  My Ezmerelda - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By BIG R - February 9 - 1:15 pm

  Only way to feel trans shifting is to watch tachometer. Has more get up and go than I figured when I bought the vehicle. The cars paint and finish are great. Used to own Fords, but this baby is hot. Put on fender flaps, a must to keep side panels dry.

• 

  2007 Malibu SS - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dave - February 9 - 11:29 am

  Bought this car with about 2,000 miles on it, had it for about a year and put around 17,000 miles on it myself. The leg-room is one of the main reasons I bought it as Im a tall guy, the pedals can even be lowered via a button on the dashboard(may be an option.) Accelleration is good/OK, not as good as my old Buick Regal GS but sufficient. Outside styling is nice and somewhat mean-looking/old muscle car style. The seats may be a little hard for some but so far no problems on long trips and very pleased. As far as reliability goes, no problems except excessive brake squeek which has all but gone away since the odometer read around 15,000 miles. I give it a B!

• 

  Neat Little Car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Revoc - February 8 - 4:19 pm

  Bought the Special Value package to be able to park my F150 for the daily commute (90 mi round trip). Bought it for just under $7700 and have been very pleased with it so far. Gas mileage averaging about 29, but that is due to either in-town driving, or 75 MPH highway, very little in between. Can live without AC, will just drive the truck when its too hot. No big deal on the cheapo radio, easily remedied for $150. Has a few things I wasnt expecting for such a low priced car. Serving its purpose wonderfully, and saving more than its cost in gas as compared to driving my truck! Plus a 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty. Almost forgot how much fun a little 5 speed can be!

• 

  Dream Car - 1994 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rice SS - February 8 - 1:07 pm

  This car has been my dream car since it first came out 14 years ago. It has been a drwam drivng so far. I really am a fan of the 96 but Im happy with the 94 so far. Only problem is the power lock fuse keeps blowing. Probably something the stereo installer did because thats when it started. It came with dual wide chrome pipes and growls like a pitbull at a stop light. If you drive this thing like a 4 cylinder you will come out the pocket in gas. So far Im at 15+ mpgs. You have to cruise. Heads turn left and right for this car but the police are looking too. Not recommended for someone who wants to be low key. Highly recommended for the life of the party type of person.

• 

  Best Car Ive Ever Driven - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jmr2004 - February 8 - 11:51 am

  This car is a joy to drive and is far more driveable on a daily basis than most people would ever imagine. Fuel economy is eceptional, usually from 19- 23 mpg city, depending on how aggresively I drive. I really dont have a lot of data on highway mileage (I havent done any long trips), but on 200 mile trips I have gotten 27 mpg highway. Other owners have told me they have gotten over 30 mpg. This car has also been problem free for the 4 yrs I have owned it. In recent years, other cars have caught up with it in performance, but 0-60 in less than 5 seconds and 13.1 at 107 mph stock is still respectable in the 1/4 mile. With performance mods, this car can hold its own with anything out there.

• 

  GM -Finally- got it right - For Now - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Old Red - February 8 - 11:36 am

  I purchased two new GM vehicles in 2008, a Cadillac STS AWD and a Silverado 1500 LTZ 4WD. The quality of workmanship was the best Ive every seen in my 62 years. 0 defects, good fitment, quality throughout. As good over better than any foreign car or truck Ive every been exposed to. Thinks I, "Theyve finally got it right".

• 

  Great vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Pedro - February 8 - 6:48 am

  I fell in love with the styling of this car and its versatility. Larger and more powerful than a CRV or a RAV 4, yet smaller and nimbler than the larger SUVs. I originally bought it because I needed to tow a boat, but because I live in DC I didnt want anything too large. I was a little skeptical about Chevy reliability, but this truck has proven to be a trusty sidekick. It pulled my boat with ease. It has good interior space for moving household goods, and the AWD provides peace of mind in bad weather conditions. I can proudly say I love my Equinox.

• 

  poor quality - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By john - February 8 - 5:46 am

  bought this truck as a demo with 6000 miles rides nice 4/4 works good put 10000 per year on truck, seats are falling apart, lint everywhere, back door handles falling off, paint peeling, I picked this truck over a toyota, because of good deals from GM i had also bought a 2004 silverado that had numerous power steering problems, should have gone with my gut and got the toyota, next truck will be a ford or toyota, ive given GM enough business

• 

  In Love with my Monte - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Nightnurse - February 8 - 2:00 am

  A dream machine..My Black SS. Love the pick up....Please officer I need to get to work..Would NOT trade it for any other car.