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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  Awesome Car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By G-unit - April 7 - 3:23 pm

  Very interesting design on the interior and the exterior. Very versatile and completely a great and fun drive. Extremely smooth and perfect for your young children. I bought it for the look but i got more than I had expected. I got one of the best quality cars to start off the year 2006, the Chevy HHR. Beautiful and smooth.

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  Bad Front Suspension - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By D Cates - April 7 - 2:26 pm

  On the test drive I noticed a jolting feeling in the front end. Salesman said no problem, probably shocks and it is under warranty. Come to find out they have had several other like trucks in for the same thing. They have changed shocks, balanced tires, even replaced springs. On amedium smooth roads it is a constant irritation. Aaround curves it is a challenge to keep on the road;. At the right speed on a long bridge it is a fight to keep the front-end from bouncing out of control. now they (GM) say it is normal for this truck to ride like that. That is straight from GMC. Also the A/C has a constant gurgling sound. GM said that was normal also.

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  A dealers delight - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By steffko - April 7 - 11:35 am

  My wife and I bought this in 2000 with 60K on it. She loves it, and it loves the local Chevy garage. We have replaced the fuel pump at 90K, the alternator at 95K, the tranny at100K (as everyone I know with a 96 has), the old style transfer case solenoid with the new/improved version, and have put two batteries in it. It also has a drinking problem. I top off the coolant about once a month. It now has a leak out of the rear seal of the transfer case (which Ill fix if it ever stops snowing), as well as lifter rattle and high oil pressure readings when first started. The a/c crapped out last year as well. But to borrow an old juice ad, I never have to say, Wow, wish I had a V8 because when the 350 rocks, she rocks!

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  My Silverado is replaced . - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Harold Wainwright - April 7 - 10:13 am

  I moved from Michigan to Eastern Tennessee. I found the Silverado awkward to drive in a city with lots of hills and curves. When I saw the TrailBlazer I knew its what I wanted. It has a trailer hitch the same as my pickup. so, I can pull my utility trailer when hauling is needed and enjoy the comfort and convenience of an SUV when not working. It has lots of power. Finally, this SUV is handsome.

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  35th anniversary edition Camaro SS - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By rljarvis - April 7 - 10:00 am

  This is my 5th Camaro & I wanted to get the last of the breed when GM the ends the F-body, so I got the 35th Anniversary edition Camaro SS convertible. Too much for a regular Camaro ($38k+), but well worth it for a collector edition of 1 of the last of the true muscle cars. Great performance thru a bullet proof 6 speed tranny & fun to drive. Arrest me red is not my favorite color, but this is a very nice package with exterior stripes, leather, large wheels and tires; an overall package that makes for a real performance car, easily capable of serious performance upgrades, yet with decent gas mileage a& a civilized car capable of commuting in the worst traffic.

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  Not Very Happy! - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lila - April 7 - 9:30 am

  We had bought the car off the show room floor. And the next day I had to take it back because it was pulling to the right. Then two days later I had to take it back again because there was a wobble coming from the front in. Im a first time buyer and not too happy.

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  Its a good car - 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mitch Rieck - April 7 - 9:04 am

  In a field with plenty of Mid-size SUV options the Equinox is a solid option.

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  LTZ - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By RICK KLUGE - April 7 - 8:16 am

  GOOD PERFORMANCE, OVERALL VERY HAPPY WITH CAR.

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  Love my Vette - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rod Fortner - April 7 - 5:26 am

  This is the most awesome car I have ever owned. It gives a whole new meaning to the word driving. Everyday is a new driving expierence. The coating on the outside makes it easy to give it a just waxed look. Im glad I didnt wait on the 2006 model. I have looked at them side by side and I like mine better. The new ones look too much like a Viper. Part of what makes a Vette unique is the hidden headlights. I have a hearing disability but I love the sound of the pipes going through the gears. I have a seven year old daughter who loves to get into "Our racecar". People at stop lights roll down their windows to give me thumbs up. Women notice me more for sure. I just love my Vette!

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  I LOVE CLYDE - 2017 Chevrolet Spark
  By Lexndres - April 7 - 3:02 am

  Yes i have named my beloved Spark. Reminds me of a ghost from Pac-Man. Anyway I do love my car. Zippy little thing, great gas mileage. First car i have not regret buying. Only a couple of minor things I would suggest changing, moving the gas flap opener thingy back a couple of inches, a gasket around the gearshift (I have lost several credit cards down that little gap and they are gone forever) and the most important thing, an adjustable sunvisor. This is so small and doesnt move so it makes blocking the sun an real issue. BUT other than that I LOVE THIS CAR!