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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  2010 Turbo Problems - 2010 Chevrolet HHR
  By Nick - August 15 - 11:35 am

  I have had 5 HHRs since 2006 (love the car), two turbos out of the 5. Never had a problem with any (not even a water leak or radio problem)except for this 2010. A piece of tubing connected to the turbo holds 20 pounds of pressure and was made out of plastic that failed. The Chevy dealer cannot find the part nationwide even with GM help. My question is what about contacting the assembly plant for a part or have one fabricated? Dealer stated GM will not let them fabricate a part, so I have been without my 600 mile 2010 car for over a week. The only thing Ford, GM or others understand is a lawyer. Did get a loaner car after 5 days with GM help.

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  2010 LTZ - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By Norman & Ann Marie - August 15 - 10:10 am

  Great car, esp. for the price. LTZ version worth the extra expense. Car looks like more expensive Lexus, etc.. OnStar very useful, but could use a map screen. OnStar saved us when we were locked out of car. Car is unfairly and negatively reviewed by Consumer Reports, perhaps on basis of cheaper LS or LT versions.

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  One of The Best - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Tom Jakubowski - August 14 - 6:53 pm

  Best vehicle I have ever owned. Get 15 mpg city and 21 mph highway since the day I bought it. Other than ordinary maintenance, I have spent only $210 on it in 6 years.

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  Great Truck! - 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By cadeleon - August 14 - 1:07 pm

  Replaced a Truck after it was in an accident. Wow, this a great truck. Very comfortable and roomy. Build quality is very very good and have no complaints. Compared initially with the Silverado but the ride in the A/V won as over. If you are looking for a truck but dont use it as a day to day truck, this is the one I would recommend. It can do everything a truck can do and more.

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  The Classic SUV that sets the standard - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By DAD OF FOUR - August 14 - 10:45 am

  I have owned five 1999 Suburbans. I also own an Excursion for family trips. Between the two, Id take the suburban any day. The excursion is a truck, plain and simple. Huge, cavernous. The Suburban is comfortable and quiet. Yes, the gas mileage is in the teens, but the trade off is the safety and comfort of those riding inside. The Suburban is easy to turn, provided you know what youre doing. You can load it up and still have room, and even after 12 years, the interiors still look good and feel tight - and not the cheap plastic highlights that are in cars today. With regular maintenance, these SUVs can literally run forever.

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  American Muscle is Back! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Joe - August 13 - 10:39 am

  Words cant express my passion for the redesigned retro 2010 Camaro. This car brings it all to the table when it comes to power, performance, comfort, and reliability. Chevy did a great job at a perfect time!

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  Bulletproof - 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Peter - August 11 - 3:13 pm

  Just bought mine with 150K, amazing truck, great ride quality, even great seats. Tough as nails, inexpensive to repair, this might be the last of the great American SUVs. Ive owned European luxury cars and have driven pretty much everything out there and this truck impresses me more than the Range Rover!

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  First Chevy in a long time - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kazzy54 - August 11 - 2:25 pm

  So far this car has been so much fun to drive. I love everything about it.

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  Transformer - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By dij836 - August 11 - 12:19 pm

  This is my 1st truck purchase and it was the BEST decision I ever made! I LOVE this truck it handles just like a car and I can back into parking spots with ease. This is a perfect car that will last me a until I get a new one.

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  Very Happy, What I expected from a SUV - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Michael - August 10 - 9:24 pm

  I have owned 2 s-10 blazers and 3 Astro Vans. I bought this vehicle sight unseen and not even knowing the vehicle. Called the dealer and they offered me this. WOW! Bigger than what i expected but very nice for a used vehicle. I have a bad back and the lumbar support seats were great for a 270 mile round trip in one day (avg 24 mpg) highway and rural roads. Its an SUV I get the same mpg as I had w/ my earlier SUVs and vans. Would like to have a better clearance over the hood but no powers seats. (previous 5 vehicles had) OnStar is great. 2 days after i bought it, -32 deg wind chill, vehicle had a stuck throttle, hit Onstar and they ran i diagnostic. fixed it w/no garage visit.