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:

• 

  Camaro SS- Come join the Best! - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SS Camaro Guy - April 24 - 2:00 am

  The car has exceptional acceleration, handling, and styling. The magazines tend to give these cars a bad rep about reliability. This is the second 4th generation Camaro I have owned, and they are BULLETPROOF! Mine have handled lots hard miles, and never once have let me down. These cars provide the BEST bang for your buck!

• 

  I love my HHR! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Charity - April 23 - 5:23 pm

  We owned an SUV, and with the higher prices of gas we wanted a more economical vehicle. I spotted an HHR and fell in love with its quirky look. We started researching this vehicle and knew it would suit the needs of our family. Our insurance premiums, car payment and gas consumption dropped. What could be better? Ive always owned more normal and boring vehicles so I wanted something spunky. I ordered the blue HHR and customized it with the leather interior, 6 CD changer, and order a 5-speed. It handles beautifully in all types of weather. We have seat warmers (very nice in winter.) The air bag automatically disengages when a smaller person is sitting in the front seat.

• 

  Love it - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By dennis - April 23 - 11:50 am

  I went from a 2001 fullsize Chevy to the 4-door Colorado. I thought I would miss the roomy interior, but I had no problem. It rides good, and handles great with good power. Not bad mileage and look great.

• 

  30K and no problems at all - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By gjc866 - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Got my blue S-10 extended cab in Feb 02 currently has 30k on the clock (April 03)The 2.2 4 cyl auto is a bit sluggish but more than adequate for light hauling or city driving. Its not a race vehicle by any strech, but it is solid, reliable, comfortable and nice looking and best of all. Not one single problem in 30,000 miles. The 2.2 liter 4 cyl is very reliable. Keep the oil changed and dont abuse - will easliy last 120K

• 

  First Van - So far its been Good Choice - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By rjk from SF Bay - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Compared everything & narrowed down to this & Honda. The Chevy WB edition had much better bang for the buck. Only complaint is a squeaky door we never had with Honda or Nissan products. Still happy about our choice.

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By KAYBEE - April 23 - 12:33 am

  I previously owned an 03 Impala and the 07 is a much better car. It has much more power and gets great mileage. The interior is great except for the faux wood trim. The exterior has nice lines and it is a sharp looking car. The flex fuel feature is neat, but E85 has mileage limitations. The traction control is improved and you dont notice when it engages like the 03. The rear seats fold down which is nice, the 03 that I owned did not have this feature. As soon as I took delivery, we drove from Chicago to DC. I had 4 adults and a child and everyone was quite comfortable. I love this car.

• 

  MINE RUNS GREAT. - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By WALTER WOLOCZYJ - April 22 - 2:00 am

  EXCEPT FOR THE DASHBOARD LIGHT KNOB, AND THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES. EVEYTHING IS JUST FINE.

• 

  2005 Equinox Review - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By John - April 21 - 1:53 pm

  So far, so good. Only have had it for a short time, but runs nice and is comfortable. Kids love it. Plenty of room for their stuff and to take their friends along. Not sure about gas mileage yet, have heard mixed reviews, but will be the judge myself. Great vehicle for the price, nothing in its class can touch the value.

• 

  Excellent Car for First Model Year - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jerry Fox - April 21 - 2:00 am

  The 1994 Camaro Z28 was a rocket from the start. Certainly Ive taken very good care of it, but it hasnt had many problems, only very normal stuff. And it still looks NEW! For a "first model year car" it has been great and for the price, FANTASTIC! It did turn out to be the "poor mans Corvette"

• 

  best car ever - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By bigdan2k - April 21 - 2:00 am

  this is my second f-body i have no problems with it. the power, the sound, the wind in my hair is fantastic. i cant believe gm stopped building them. its a great car to cruise arround in, run at the track, and pick up chicks. ill never sell it.