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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  I Still Love My Malibu! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bellemom - August 26 - 9:12 pm

  When I decided to buy a new car, I went back and forth between the Malibu and the Accord. I cant express how happy I am that I stayed loyal to the GM brand. My husband suggested I wait to write my review until I owned it for a longer period of time. I was ready to rave after week 1. Well, its been well over 2 years and I am still raving. Its so fun to drive and I still look at it and think, Thats a great looking car - inside and out. I have gotten many compliments on it. The ONLY things are I dont like about it: gas mileage not as great as I would like, and not sure how comfortable it would be on a long distance drive. The seats could probably have a little more support.

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  Small package with big storage - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By AMAZED - August 26 - 2:31 am

  Drove one and fell in love with it I am 6 ft 4 in and play drums the drums etc fit perfect with room to spare 37.8 mpg at 70 mph I had a vibe and Honda fit and would take this over all of them

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  Love this vehicle - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By newowner - August 25 - 9:47 am

  So far, owning this vehicle has not only saved me money on gas, but has allowed me to take my family more places. Even though some may say that the interior is small, I feel that the space is great for the vehicle. The performance for the 2.2 L engine is great, I know no power but you dont buy a car like this for performance. I from Indiana to Ohio which is about 500 miles round trip and it is a really comfortable drive. All in all I would definitely recommend the Cobalt to anyone that is looking for a reliable vehicle and likes to travel alot without being hurt by gas prices. I put $20 in gas and by the time I filled up to come home I only put $12 to top off. Awesome car!

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  Fun at any speed - 2010 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Mack - August 22 - 7:34 pm

  Had been wanting a Vette for years but was always concerned about quality. Test drove a Cayman but options took it over 70K. Recent reviews about GM getting serious about quality, the GS option and 0% drew me in. Great power, good clutch/trans relationship, clutch is not as heavy as I expected. The seats are as bad as all magazines state, brake dust is also an issue but the car is so much fun, it doesnt matter. I grin every time I start it. Chevy has done a very good job. quality is first rate, no rattles and not one problem. Decent sound system but not great. Just finished a road trip (1000 mi) great highway mileage. After many overseas performance cars, it feels good to buy American.

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  I love my Equinox! - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mommy2 TPG - August 21 - 8:39 am

  I previously owned a Ford Focus. I had searched for 2 years for a larger but good on gas vehicle. I looked at the Mazda 5 and the Nissan Rouge. The Chevy was the best deal and the most comfortable. I do wish they would be a bit more honest about the MPG on the 4cyl. I drive about 50 miles one way to work and only 5 miles is city. I average 26-28mpg. Which is great, but i expected a little better. I do live in the mountains, But I travel I-81 and set cruise at about 72. On our last trip down to the beach we got 30mpg going (with eco ON) and 18 while there in traffic (with eco OFF) and 25 coming back home (eco ON). ECO causes loss of power but not enough for it to be a big deal for me.

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  Pros and Cons at 50,000 miles - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Tim in Wisconsin - August 21 - 8:14 am

  1st, everyone is complaining about oil leaks. I can drive mine from WI to AR 850 miles in one day, and not be down a drop. I can drive mine to work and back, etc, and be down a qt at 5K miles. I believe that when there is no compression in the cylinders when I am in V-4 mode some trace amounts must be getting past the rings. No oil in tail pipe though, and pass emissions with flying colors. 2nd, my #3 cylinder had a hydraulic lifter collapse. I have the 327. This is what happens when major manufacturers subcontract their work. Dealer took care of it a-ok. No problems since. Third, every snow my "service 4WD" light comes on. Always goes out after night in garage. 18mpg at 60 mph, 16 at 70

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  Great car - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By malibu - August 20 - 9:01 pm

  I recently bought this car used, and i was delightfully surprised with it, if you want to, this car can really take off! the seats are nice, the upholstery is great, and there is nothing about this car that irks me at all

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  My Chevy Tahoe - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By me2uguys - August 20 - 3:39 pm

  Purchased in 2004 from original owner. No major repairs until 2006, new alternator. 2009 New Intake Gasket. This truck had 87K miles when I purchased it. It now has 275K miles and shes still driving like she did when I bought it. I am now in the process of new shocks, but its done its job and more since I first bought it six years ago! Great, safe SUV, lots of room and I have towed horses with my truck and it still is doing fine. Highly recommended.

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  More Pros than Cons - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jack C. - August 20 - 3:26 pm

  I have about 3000 miles on my AWD, 4 cy Equinox. I love the look, design and sturdiness. Black Granite metallic paint is beautiful. Two tone leather seats equally nice to look at and touch. MPG averages about 20 with mostly in city and freeway driving. 18 inch wheels make roads bumps less severe. I enjoy the quiet ride. The steering is blah, but it is not a sports car. It is a crossover SUV. Car like, but not impressive for handling. Turning radius seems large. Door lock switch should be on doors. Cargo area will not hold golf club set straight across. Fit and finish are impressive. Seats are comfortable and body hugging in front. I would recommend this vehicle to friends. More +s.

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  Great 4 the money - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jay Agulia - August 19 - 7:24 pm

  We bought this wagon used with 38k traded a pt cruiser. Our 06hhr lt2 2.4 L has plenty of go, has all options ht. Lthr., 6 in dash cd. Sat. Pioneer radio, onstar, frt.&rear air bags. Only missing running boards. Wish we had them, the paint@ the rear doors is coming off with out them. My wife is the primary driver she travels a lot with this wagon. Carries all her stuff and room for 3 more passengers. Shes very happy. Goes through brakes. R&r frt. Links. Ghost problem with park switch, cant remove key. Suggest extended warranty, if buying used. We did has paid for it self. P. S. Electric power steering went too, also likes to go through tires too soon, must rotate often, about 10k. Now has just over 80k.