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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  SS HHR - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By dotes - August 5 - 12:40 pm

  Purchased a 08 HHR SS and have been enjoying it. Even with the high performance turbo charged engine, I get decent gas mileage. Of course using the various readouts and the cruise control helps too. Of course there are some minor things that I dont like. But at least the window controls are back where they should be on the SS. Having to go through two tire changes when a flat occurs on one of the front tires will be a real big pain. But I have roadside service. I rented a HHR for a week a few months before. So I could see if I liked driving it. I did and waited for the SS model to come out. I got the victory red and have got several comments on the HHR. So far I like the HHR I have.

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  Excellent Value and Fun to Drive - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By eyc51k - August 4 - 3:27 pm

  I have been driving for 40 years and had about as many cars and trucks in that time with this being my first SUV. The closest thing I owned previous was a Chevy van with the same engine which is one reason I knew I would like it. The engine is powerful yet delivers great mileage for a vehicle of this size. Running it hard around a major city shows close to 19 MPG with highway running 70-75 mph 24 MPG. Thanks to the 5 Speed. The ride is what I really enjoy, smooth, real smooth and quiet. I bought it for the Pittsburgh winters and long commute I make into the snow belt north of here plus the space to carry my wifes wheelchair with room left for other passengers which it does with ease.

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  This was my LAST GM vehicle EVER! - 2013 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Mike - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Before buying this car I would be sure that there were no other cars available anywhere in the world to buy. Though we entered our purchase of this vehicle when it was brand new, the manufacturer recalls (4 the first year) and ongoing odor problem in the A/C system pretty much ruined it for us. After EIGHT visits to the dealer about the odor, the NINTH was the charm - exactly one visit beyond the warranty! Once it was out of warranty, they managed to fix the 3-year-plus odor problem for $1300...and then told us to take it our complaints to GM if we didnt like it. GM promptly denied our appeals, and when the engines transmission became rough between 3rd-4th gears, we traded it for a new Honda Pilot the next week. We had had enough, and this was definitely our LAST GM PURCHASE EVER!

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  I like it - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By SSCHMITT - August 4 - 10:00 am

  ITs a nice car for the money. It rides smooth and is peppy not fast but has enough power. Interior needs some work but overall I like it nice buy. I have 1055 miles on mine.

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  My aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Mere - August 4 - 10:00 am

  After months of looking online for my perfect car i finally found it in an aveo ls. The look of the car was the first thing that pulled me to it. It has a very foreign look about it, not like many cars u see in the united states. once u get past the looks many other things attracted me to this car. The most expensive model only priced out at alittle over 13,000 and alot of things u might consider options on others cars all came standard on this one. I am very happy with my purchase of this vehicale and would buy another one in a heart beat given i had the money.

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  Grasping onto optimism - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By heelngville - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle has been in my position for 3.5 weeks now and due to arising problems, the vehicle has been in for service on 5 separate occassions. (A) The service engine light has come on 3x (B) A major component that operates the AC had to be replaced (C) The strut mount bushings now need replacing......after 700 miles. Fortunately I purchased an extended warranty. The dealership has extended excellent service in dealing with each instance. Being a first year vehicle, I realize that you will have "bugs" to work through, however I guess I was spoiled by the realiability of my Trailblazer. Aside from the issues I have experienced, the vehicle is great.

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  My 03 SS - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By GaryC69Z - August 4 - 10:00 am

  I drive my SS 5 - 6 days a week. I really enjoy that GM feeln every time I stand on the throttle. I traded a 2000 Silverado and was dreading the fuel ecomomy drop between the two but to my suprise I am getting 16.5 mpg like clockwork.

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  Monster + comfort =get out of the way! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By chevyman - August 4 - 6:53 am

  0 problems-gets better mpg than Dodge or Ford. Can put over 5,000 lbs. in the bed and drive right along. Pulls my boat like its not even there (6.0 v8) no need for the big block. Heavy duty, heavy truck, load it down if you want and go right along!

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  Couldnt Be Happier - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Randy - August 3 - 9:43 pm

  I really love this car. I am a 55 year-old sports car nut (on a tight budget) and my Cobalt is amazing for what it cost. Always fun to drive, it makes every freeway on/off ramp a blast. I manage to get a smile on my face every time I drive it, even after owning it for 2 years. The stock power levels are great but adding the GM Stage 2 kit really transforms the car into something special. The car is amazing quiet, especially at freeway speeds. Overall it is a well sorted out, balanced car, thank you GM for making this thing! Final thought I have not had one single problem with this car. Not one squeak or rattle, nothing broken, never back to the dealer. I couldnt be happier.

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  Our Traverse - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Frank Z - August 3 - 6:40 pm

  We just purchased this about two weeks ago, but it has already met all our expectations and exceeded some. Cannot say much about MPG, because we only have 475 miles on the vehicle. Only two areas needed repair/adjustment. Left side doors off a little in alignment, and seal for drivers window crimped. Doors have been aligned and window seal is on order. It is very roomy, rides very well and the Nav system is greatly improved over our 2007 GM vehicle, although screen size is a little smaller. Very stable on rural roads and interstates. Turns very well at local speeds and turning radius is excellent.