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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  Love My Cobalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Dee - December 4 - 3:50 am

  I live on Long Island where we have all 4 seasons. I have had no problem driving in rain or snow. I picked up the car in mid February 2005 and the following week we had quite a snow storm. The front wheel drive was great! No more getting stuck at work. I had an 85 Camaro which is rear-wheel and I always had trouble getting out of parking spaces at work--needed a push. And when I could, I would park with the nose out. With the Cobalt, it doesnt matter how I park. Of course its easier to pull straight out, but so far I have no problem. My husband finally drove the car last week and he was quite surprised. Said the steering was solid--thats a compliment.

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  Pros and Cons of my Astrovan - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By Chev AWD Astro LT - December 3 - 7:26 pm

  I like to drive my Astrovan but its ride is too rough. It gets 14 miles per gallon which makes it too expensive to drive at todays inflated gas prices. Also it is almost impossible for me alone to remove the 5 rear passenger seats

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  A Disappointment - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 007vette - December 3 - 2:41 pm

  After waiting 40 years to finally get the boyhood dream, I purchased an 07 Corvette only to find out the name went on before the quality went as the quality never made it. The car is great looking, runs great and is fun to drive, but the drive components and rear end are junk, whenever I turn or start out it is if I were going over bumps in the road, I took it back and the dealer simple lubed the rear end, this worked until the lube wore and the problem reappeared again. On the second trip it was found that a tech bulletin had been generated for the problem and the dealer replaced the friction pads,this didnt cure the problems.I am getting rid of it after this. No more American cars for me

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  Better than expected fuel economy - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bill - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I have been pleasantly surprised at the fuel economy and pep. I drive primarily country roads and I am averaging 28.7 mpg. I was apprehensive about buying a four cyl., but the six speed trans really gives it great performance; it feels very peppy and is really fun to drive. Unbelievably quiet ride for a car in this price range.

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  Fun Little car but gas milage not as adv - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By yoshi1015 - December 3 - 1:36 am

  I run a service center for a dealer and I am very familiar with cars. I bought American because I am always able to get 250k + out of all my cars. It wasnt until recently that I needed to put my GMC truck to bed and get an import. I looked at Toyota, Nissan (great cars), Mazda, Honda etc. I finally picked the 2007 Chevy Aveo because of price, comfort and gas mileage. However, I am not getting anywhere near 37mpg as my sticker suggested. Believe me I understand driving habbits but this has nothing to do with it. I drive all freeway miles with no A/C on at no more than 70mph and the best milage I get is 30.1mpg. Yes I also tryed going under 70mph and I only got max 32.1 mpg.

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  Roomy, and dependable - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By terresa - December 2 - 10:32 pm

  We have 3 kids and this car provides plenty of leg room for all of us. It drives smoothly and has been completely dependable. We have saved no telling how much in fuel costs since buying this car.

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  Disappointed in reliability - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Arnie - December 2 - 12:54 pm

  At less than 10000 miles reduced power and check engine light kept coming on about every two or three weeks. I called the dealership and waqs told that I would have to drive it in with thr reduced power on for them to find the problem. As I write this the truck is under the garage and will not start. Put in new battery and stil nothing. Will call dealership tomorrow and have it towed to the shop. Very disappointed in a truck thats only a year old. Never know what going to go wrong next.

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  Big Truck Like a Rock - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By cujo - December 2 - 11:00 am

  Solid truck with lots of power. This baby is great and I look good in it. I fly F16s for a living and drive Chevys when not airborne. The Duramax is unbelievable, tows the trailer like it isnt there. Go buy one.

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  great car - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By hiebert - December 2 - 2:00 am

  this car is fun to drive and has lots of power.

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  Fun Car - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Michauds - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Love my Monte Carlo. This car looks great and is a joy to drive. I got my SS model with the sport package which added to the great appearance. Only draw back has been with the fuel injection system which Ive had to have serviced 3 times already.