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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  Equinox and Escape - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By tjack129 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Recently traded wifes 2008 Escape for new 2010 Equinox. We both liked and enjoyed the Escape. Good V6 mileage, decent ride, reasonably quiet and good quality for Escape. The New Equinox is however a much better over all package. Much more quiet, smoother ride, more room. My only long term concern is gas mileage for the V6 Equinox. Not as good as Escape in early driving. Long term quality is another unanswered question but it looks good early. Equinox is fun to drive, handles well and is quite comfortable in LTZ trim. V^ performs well and tranny shifts perfectly so far. Remember...this is not a Caddy or BMW, so dont expect it to be but for $35, 500 not a bad small ride at all.

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  Amazing Multipurpose Vehicle - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By max solano - October 11 - 2:00 am

  This started as my Monday through Friday vehicle. In the 18 months, and 65,000 miles I have owned it, it has become my weekend car as well. The sports car and the truck have been relegated to the back of the driveway. This HHR SS serves as a daily driver and a weekend hauler. Great acceleration and great gas mileage if you stay out of the turbos maximum boost. Noisy cabin at speed and entirely too much plastic used in the interior, but still FUN to drive. Have only had one issue with the clutch slave cylinder, but Chevy covered the repair under warranty. Other than that,the vehicle has only had oil and filter changes. Changed out the Michelin tires at 45k miles, Contis have improved ride.

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  Truly in Love PART 2 - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Cvega - October 11 - 2:00 am

  Mine is a 2011 2SS RS Black with inferno Orange interior. I have it now for a month and a half. I love it everyday more and more. The Exterior mean and muscular look gets thumbs up from everyone. The inferno orange interior leans towards red so it makes the interior look more Upscale than the Black interior. The 6.2 V8 never runs out of power or steam. I took it up to 140 and it was still pulling. It Handles incredible yet the ride is comfortable and soft. Feels more 750 than 3 series. The Camaro is a car that makes you want to drive it for no reason. It offers more power and performance than anyone would ever need unless you love paying for tickets. Z28 however is on my wish list.

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  In Praise of Old Friends - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By wcrisler - October 10 - 2:00 am

  What a kick it is to read these reviews of this truck, which Ive owned since 1999. Driven under every possible condition imaginable -- long distance, short hauls, towing trailers, through deserts, over mountains, in blizzards, on- and off- road, its been through several girl friends, two wives and three kids and 258,130 miles. Sure, its needed repairs, just like me, including all those listed by "Disgruntled Owner", but there it is, still ready to take me wherever I want to go, without a complaint, like it has for over a decade. Its like an old hat, so comfortable you forget youre wearing it. Its my home, my refuge, wherever I go. Every inch evokes memories. Some of me will die with it

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  Good car - 2010 Chevrolet HHR
  By tdyson - October 10 - 2:00 am

  500+miles on the road on a tank of gas $17,000.00 out the door with Power Windows, locks, remote start, navigation system, am, FM, XM, cd, and onstar. Drives nice and a lot of car for the price I have a 2008 max pick up that refuse to pass a gas station. For the price and the cost to operate this the the best that it have been for me.

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  Truck that keeps truckin - 1993 Chevrolet S-10
  By PrimeTap - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this used and it had around 55,000 miles on it at the time. Now it has over 117,000 on it, is over 17 years old and is still serving me well. This Tahoe hard to find long bed (never seen another in person) 4x4 is a good bit larger than the standard S-10 and the powerful 4.3L V6 makes it a perfect balance for me of function, power and size. The power this has in 4 wheel drive is simply amazing. I have worked this vehicle hard and it has even pulled a large, very heavy tree from my driveway with ease. It has done everything ask of it without fail. It has been solid, rugged and dependable not to mention fun. It needed a heater core as most GMs at 75k but no problems otherwise.

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  One sweet ride - 1991 Chevrolet Caprice
  By Mike - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had the car for a week thus far, built like a rock and can take the miles its got on it and act like brand new.

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  RS RED JEWEL - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By DENNIS H - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Love almost the total package. The power is awesome for a 6 banger. Handles great. The looks are looks you get make you a proud owner. The only fall back after 7000 miles is the paint is to soft, like they didnt put enough paint and/or clearcoat on them. Chips and scratches too easily for the price we paid! Other than that we love it!

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  BRAKES - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By crybabby - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Just got it and the brakes squeak. It seems like it may be a problem. I am not the only one with it. And its funny it happened after i bought it, not on the test drive. Didnt like the car when saw it, but after driving it and getting used to all the blind spots I fell in love. If you are going to get on the hwy. Turn ac off, You will get more power pick up. Oh yeah, cup holders, what were they thinking.

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  Kid hauler - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Happy - October 6 - 2:00 am

  A great buy so far. 3rd. row seat has helped with the kids tremendously. Will be towing a 3500 lb. camper come next spring and looking to see how it performs. Lots of room, quiet, drives nice. Best pricing out of 4 lambda platforms and get a lot for your money even in ls trim, which i purchased. Awd drive feels great on wet roads, no snow yet.