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:

• 

  Got a Good One - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Mike - September 17 - 2:00 am

  The longer I have my Cobalt, the more I appreciate it. I bought a basic LS model at the end of 2007 to get me to and from work. I have a 60 mile commute daily and it just doesnt make sense to wear out a high-priced car so quickly. My car has 49K miles and only one thing has had to be repaired: a wire in the engine compartment that powers the daytime running lights flexed to much and broke. Thats it. The steering column and power steering motor was replaced under the recall, but I never had any steering issues. I do the maintenance on the car myself, which is very simple and inexpensive. The car is comfortable and handles well. Best commuter car purchase I could have made.

• 

  I love my Transformers Edition! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Angi - September 17 - 2:00 am

  I got Bumblebee for my 40th birthday. Yes my husband is amazing! It was a display car, they showed it in several places around Atlanta. I love love love this car! I am 411" and thought I wouldnt be comfortable in it, WRONG! It is amazing. I am used to seat belts being uncomfortable, so I have learned how to live with that. I have had more people stop me and tell me how awesome it is! It is fast and pretty comfortable to me. I have no regrets! I have seen the complaints about the paint, I have had no troubles. Saw the complaints about the leg room and trunk opening, it is not meant to be a family car! I love the reactions that I get from kids, they think it is the real Bumblebee!

• 

  Eight and a half years of good driving. - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By A.B. - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Yesterday I bid a fond farewell to a close friend after 8 1/2 years. I got my Cavalier in March 2002 as a high school graduation present from my grandmother. I have to say, the Cav did its job and then some. I went to college 3-4 hours away from home, and I now live a half hour away from where I now work, and have done the commute for 4 years now. The Cavalier was great on gas and kept me safe on one of the worst, most congested Interstates in the country. From an old man t-boning me after running a stop sign to skidding on ice on the Interstate, hitting a snow bank, and the only damage being a bent license plate, this cars toughness isnt to be underestimated. I loved the old gal!

• 

  Great Riding All Purpose Truck - 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Scott - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I am a car nut and trade often..this is by far best riding truck I have owned. My wife has 07 Escalade ESV, my AV. has better ride and more comfortable front seats. In fact My AV. has almost identical options to the fully optioned Escalade including heated/cooled seats. I really like the blue tooth integrated with my cell phone. It automatically pairs with my cell when I enter truck, I make a call using voice recognition and cell still in my pocket and it will use cell unless there is no signal, then switches to "on-star" and gives me an option to complete the call. Love On- Star and the security it gives us. This vehicle is a "jack of all trades, with a great ride for two people.

• 

  best EVER! - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By all black - September 13 - 2:00 am

  i have an 2001 chevrolet s-10 5 speed with a 4.3 that i wouldnt give for the world. the only thing i have done to it was rebuild the transmisson and keep up on the tune ups. i have had 5 vehicles and my s10 has been the best so far. highly recommended for anybody in the market to buy one.

• 

  You wont want another truck... - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By georgeb - September 12 - 2:00 am

  The truck is fantastic. If you love the outdoors, and dont need to climb mountains this is your truck. Off the start power leaves abit to be desired. But once it gets moving, it moves. I modified this truck with camping stuff, water system like an RV, second battery for my radios, and other gear, my own lighting system, took out the rear seats, dont need them. I got the truck with the large 20" tires, forget about the nav system, onstar and the radio is great...Leather is too uncomfortable, cloth, with neoprene custom covers much better.

• 

  COMFORTABLE UNIQUE VEHICLE - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Al Packard - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought this HHR used with 16000 miles on it (46000 miles now). First the repairs - front stablizer bars, steering column, heater fan motor and front tie rod busings all under warranty. Front brake rotors and shoes on me. New tires. I love this car even with the repairs. If the repairs wernt under warranty I probably wouldnt love it as much. Very comfortable ride, handling for me is just fine (somewhat of an aggressive driver), love the design. This one is a 5 speed manual 2.2 liter engine and its fun to drive. When I first saw the HHR I wanted one and not disappointed with my choice. Plenty of room for cargo and seating for 4. 3 in rear seat wouldnt be comfortable.

• 

  Head Turner - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Russ - September 11 - 2:00 am

  This car does everything you would want a car to do. When driving you will notice a lot of people looking your way. The car is surprisingly more quiet than most of any sport cars I have ever had in the past. Also has very good response for maneuvering around corners and curves.

• 

  My HHR - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By bonnie2008 - September 10 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I went to a local dealership to look at the a HHR we liked what we saw and we got a fantastic price, our HHR only had 19 miles on the odd and we paid only 13.500.00 for this model. We couldnt be more happier with what we now own. We havent had one leak we own a 5speed we have great car and we love it

• 

  A Lot of Bang for the Buck! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By PDXEquinox - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive have roughly 5k on my 2010 Equinox. After driving the Honda CRV, the Toyota RAV, The Hyundai Santa Fe, the Ford Escape and Edge and the GMC Terrain, I decided to purchase the AWD 2LT V6, Chevy Equinox. The Equinox was the best deal and the most comfortable to drive. I am overall very pleased with the Equinox. The one downfall is the MPG. I have not been able to get over 22mpg town or highway. It seems to me that the the reported MPG is not very accurate but what one would expect with a V6 AWD SUV.