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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  great car - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JFrazier - August 31 - 11:19 am

  I purchase my camaro about 3 week ago and this is a very find car to drive I love this car, I watch this car come up from Clay. The people who built this car did a very good job, when I am out in my car people tell me how great this car look. I love the v8 power you get in this car the best I ever had, I drove my camaro out on a country road at speed of 120 it was like I was going 70 mph just cruising, motor sound good. Perform great at that speed. I was surprise at the way this car perform, the fuel is not bad but I do used super unleaded and nothing else. The stereo sound good, the seats are ok but creak sometime, the dash lighting is nice the ac is cold being here in Texas at 100 degree

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  Love the Interior - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Joe - August 30 - 4:44 pm

  Just picked up a 2011 Traverse (FWD) and love it. Thought that sizing down from a full-size Tahoe would be harder but it really isnt. The interior design is great, we actually prefer the cloth. Cup holders everywhere, tons of storage in dash, console, glove box, etc and the seat configuration is the best. 3rd row that folds truly flat and the 2nd even folds down pretty flat too. TONS of space, great V6 performance. Really a good deal for the money. Sharp looking body style too. Good job America and Chevrolet. I knew you have it in you!

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  Love it! - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By Marilyn - August 30 - 3:48 pm

  I love my new HHR! Ive had it a month, put 1000 highway miles on it and I couldnt ask for better performance. Its zippy, economical, comfortable and roomy! Thanks, Chevy for a great little car!

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  Not Disappointed - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By ilovemytruck - August 30 - 3:40 pm

  I looked and test drove all types of cars, trucks and suvs before finally purchasing the 2009 Traverse LTZ. Yes, I bought it used (9k miles at the time of purchase). The vehicle drives like champ and Ive had no problems mechanically. Ive had to bring it into the dealership to replace to chrome trim on both drive/passenger sides because it was peeling off, but all is fixed. The cargo room for back seat passengers is enough that even my parents were comfortable (and theyre 70). In regards to gas mileage, ITS AN SUV a big one at that, so its to be expected that it isnt going to get great gas mileage. I dont speed, maybe 73 in a 70 zone, and average 22 mpg.

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  Love Tahoes! - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Lina - August 29 - 9:54 pm

  This is my second Tahoe. I have had it for 2 years. I am around 60,000 miles. I do a lot of joy riding plus work. The truck is reliable in the snow and rain. It is very roomy in the front and second row. The third row is in the way and should have been an option as opposed to a standard. My 10 year old is the only one that can fit back there. The only issues that I have is the automatic door locks do not work when using the key fob or the button on the door. I have to use the key to unlock the door and reach over to unlock the doors. Also, the defrost coil that connects to the rear window came off and needs to be soldered back on. Those seem like easy fixes. The gas mileage could be better.

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  Love my Hill-Billy Hot Rod - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By kkingery76 - August 29 - 10:36 am

  I have had my HHR for 1 1/2 now. Very dependable. Great gas mileage. I am just under 5 3" so this car fits me perfectly. My boyfriend is 6 2"- He is comfortable in the passenger seat but he does not like to drive it or ride in the backseat due to the limited height of windshield and limited leg room. Perfect for an outdoor type family, of average height, with pets and a couple kids who live on a tight budget. Not as quiet and comfortable as my previous Lumina, but definitely low maintenance and dependable for a small family. It is fairly plain on the inside but classy on the outside. I test drove many small to mid-size SUVs prior to picking my HHR they are not made for short people!

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  2011 Camaro 2SS 6-speed manual - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By bas - August 29 - 10:08 am

  This vehicle is all that it was cracked up to be. Wonderful exterior styling and lines, a well crafted interior that pays nice homage to the early Camaros and FREAKISHLY strong power to accelerate. 6-spd manual transmission mates well with the engine and is fun to drive. Handling is tight and responsive. Fuel economy is as promised (about 24 mpg hwy). If driven modestly in town around 19/20 mpg. One nice addition for the 2011 - and one which I waited for - is the HUD. Nicely done and it subtly reminds you of your speed and RPM without having to take eyes off road. Gauges, leather and interior lighting are a nice mix of retro and European touches. Well done Chevy! Happy!

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  Great Performance - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By scottxwinston - August 29 - 3:18 am

  Love this car! It Rides smoother than my Grandmothers 2002 Cadillac Deville. Its very roomy and fun to drive. I feel very safe in this car. It also gets better gas mileage than previous 4 cyl car did. My Impala has almost 170,000 miles on it and its still running great. The 3400 V6 engine is like a tank!

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  Great but the milage - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Steve - August 28 - 11:18 pm

  We bought our Traverse about 5 months ago and love it. With the second row captains chairs there is little difference in space when compared to our previous minivan. The ride is comfortable and quiet, and the power is there when you need it. We use it to tow a 24 ft trailer (3700 lbs dry) - it tows it no problem, but you can feel the trailer behind you. Over all we are very happy with the vehicle, the only complaint would be the mileage. When we first bought it we were getting no where near the advertised mpg. However, now that weve put 5,000 on the vehicle the mileage is improving. I can now get the advertised mileage on the hwy if I drive 60 - 65+ and the mileage drops dramatically.

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  Fantastic! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By linder - August 27 - 8:37 am

  Ive owned my Camaro for a year now and am VERY happy with it. No problems at all. Runs great, looks fantastic, fun to drive. Im seeing more and more Camaros on the road, but I still get comments in the parking lot or at the gas pump. Ive had no trouble with the paint, the finish is fine.