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:

• 

  Loved it, like it now - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By GALE LOVELADY - June 6 - 4:57 am

  We love our hhr and the gas mileage is wonderful. The look of the vehicle and the interior is great. I really like the remote start for the cold mornings. The only complaint we really have with the car is the front end it rattles squeaks and shakes and the front end sounds like it is falling out from under it. Every time I touch the brakes easy going slow or out on the highway at a faster speed and use the brakes it just about shakes my hands off the steering wheel. We have had it to the shop several times in the last year to have the rotors turned two times and replaced the rotors and need them replaced again. I feel very unsafe driving the vehicle with this problem.

• 

  Like this truck - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By A Cossick - June 6 - 12:43 am

  Only owned a few weeks so far - I want to address some of the complaints I read here before buying. First, the back of the seat does adjust and there is a lumbar firmness adjustment. My wife is particular about back support and she really likes the comfort. Second, the rear headrests do restrict view a little, but all you need to do is fold down the seat. If someone is in back their head would block the view just as much as the headrest - use the rear view mirrors. We have the Z71 with the 3.7. The ride is not as smooth as a car but it passed the wife test, she really likes the ride. Not a rattle or squeak anywhere either (bought it used with 13k). Overall very pleased so far.

• 

  Great Tall Person Car - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Will Weber - June 5 - 2:46 pm

  As a tall (64") person I have trouble finding cars that fit. This is the most comfortable, height-accommodating vehicle I have owned or driven. The front seat slides way back and still leaves rear leg room. On my first big trip in lots of rain and mountain driving I was shocked to average 28 mpg, but I did use the econo feature quite a bit and monitored the instantaneous mileage readout. I am used to feeling stiff and cramped after a long drive, but this vehicle has allowed me to cut back on my yoga. I dont like the exterior styling, but if this is the design necessary to make the interior so satisfying, I can accept the boxy-bulgy look.

• 

  Improves with time - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tom - June 5 - 12:04 pm

  Locale is west coast Canada. Bought ex-lease with 25,000 km for $16,000 CDN. Warranty trans replace, 6 mo. to track down engine misfire to sensor on crank. This is an excellent car once problems are solved (but make sure you have a warranty! Bretts in Chilliwack persisted in tracking down the problems). Comfortable interior--best seats for long trips to Oregon and California of any car weve owned huge trunk handles well for a car with such a soft ride (once I replaced Firestones with Michelin ZXs) engine does not use oil. I am giving this car to my son for a wedding present and well miss it, but I feel assured that he will be safe because its a big car with lots of metal!

• 

  5th S-10 - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Dale - June 4 - 9:02 pm

  Like the crew-cab. good towing vehicle. I tow my 20 ft car hauler and 2800 lb race truck no problems. Once thing that helps this truck out with any cooling issues and power loss is to purchase a complete cooling fan system for a 98-02 camaro or firebird and install. take the belt driven fan clutch system off and drop the fans in and by an aftermarket thermostat controls. My works fine and Ive gained several hp doing so. This truck has 352,222 miles on it and it still runs good. no internal work to engine at all or really any other work done besides maintenance. She getting a little weak now but shes been run really hard. Driving till she dies

• 

  3rd S-10 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By dale - June 4 - 8:38 pm

  Bought the truck brand new. Loved the truck until I looked at the paint really good after its first bath. I found 100+ specs in the paint and took the truck to the dealership for repainting. They decided not to paint the truck after having it 3 weeks and I got my truck back color sanded and butter waxed. It looked good when I was walking up but then all I could see was the swirls in the crappy buff job they had done. I put 120,000 miles on it in a year and got another S-10 in 99. other than the paint the truck ran great.

• 

  Good littel fun car - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By LT1 - June 4 - 6:42 pm

  Just had my 1 year anniversary and I still love this car. It is just fun to drive and great to look at. I just really love looking at it and driving it. Cant beat the price for what you get.

• 

  An excellent vehicle for familes. - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By farmerjohn - June 3 - 11:58 am

  We traded our Jeep Liberty in for the Traverse because we have two children and often drive to vacation destinations. The Traverse is a perfect alternative to a minivan, having lots of room for passengers and plenty more for cargo. Despite the extensive list of suggested improvements, this vehicle is a great vale compared to the others we looked at - the Acadia and the Enclave.

• 

  This is not your fathers Oldsmobile. - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JohnnyD - June 2 - 12:36 am

  Ok kids. You probably dont even know what the review title means, sigh. Look it up. I bought mine new, 4/24/99. Only serious problem - annoying rear end noise, but Ill get that fixed someday. New Katskin Black (real black, not some misnamed gray) leather, new top, just had a repaint, incredible. Bought 99 cause dealer said no more would be built. Wrong - three more years! However, Ive had it for over 11 yrs and it cant be bought. Like my wife and kids, not perfect, but wouldnt trade for anything. Car has many imperfections, but like I said I wouldnt trade it for anything. Defines Bang for the Buck! Great performance, terrible comfort for an old guy, but Ill own it.

• 

  Great car so far! - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sharmin - June 1 - 4:44 pm

  Purchased a certified, pre-owned and so far it is fabulous! Great exterior look and very roomy interior with well placed instruments and controls. I am very short and he is very tall and neither one of us have problems driving or riding with comfort. Would definitely recommend this car!