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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  From Suburban and Jeep - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By OUTERBANK5 - January 3 - 3:59 pm

  Front end probs fixed twice. First front weheel drive vehicle in a while.

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  My 2006 Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ralph - January 3 - 2:40 pm

  I just bought a used fleet 2006 Impala from Carmax with 7666 miles. Im thrilled with the car and Carmax. I looked and drove many cars this year mostly via Avis Rental Car while traveling. Malibu and Impala stood out of all other models driven. Almost bought Malibu however found Impala LT with XM radio for less than lowest used malibu price.

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  2003 Chevy Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By chevy guy 18 - January 3 - 8:51 am

  Its a great car. It is easy to drive. The car is very reliable. It is a quality car.

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  Buy American and buy the best! - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Keith Rigsby - January 2 - 8:41 pm

  So much room, power, capability, wrapped up in such a handsome design with rock solid reliability. Thats the Suburban. There is nothing better. Filled with luggage to the ceiling, 4 adults, driving 80-85 mph going to Colorado for snow skiing last month. Averaged 17.9 mpg! 2 wheel drive and it handled the snow covered mountain passes and switchbacks with ease. Drives like a much smaller vehicle. You can keep the Toyotas and Hondas. Give me American ingenuity at its best with the Suburban. The Suburban has been a hit for General Motors since 1935! Its only gotten better over the years and the 04 is one of the best. love it! Long live General Motors and Cheverolet!

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  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By brian - January 2 - 6:28 pm

  Fun to drive. We drove over 300 miles home for Christmas and had two dogs, all of our luggage, and about 20 presents and everything fit with room to spare. It has the smoothest ride and easiest handling of anything Ive driven

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  World Class - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By J. CASTILLON - January 2 - 5:50 pm

  Best vehicle Ive ever purchased. Weve taken 3 vacation trips 2 to Florida, 1 to our nations capitol just after 9/11. The interior creature comforts in ours made every trip enjoyable. We felt confident on the mechanial reliablity, and have had no problems. With over 88,000 miles traveled, to countless soccer, baseball, and footbal practices, and games. My wife thought it was too big at first. Now she has claimed as her own. The kids, and dog love it too. Some of her friends prefer it to their vehicle because of the heated seats, and cargo space (etc.) when they go shopping. We have others who are amazed at the ride, and condition for a vehicle. Someday I hope to claim it as mine own again.

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  2000 ZR2 crumbling away - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By MrGNMan - January 2 - 11:05 am

  Purchased new and maintained religiously by dealer and me. All highway mileage with 75000 on original tires. Got brakes had to replace all 4 rotors? Couldnt even cut them once! Dealer replaced intake gasket with a better design from GM. I have to pay! Transmission had corroded sensors and actuaters $1000 just for parts! Last 6 months $3200. in repairs which should not have been necessary! Had an 89 S10 4x4 that had 275k on it and still was running strong when I sold it for a newer, "better" truck. Im sure that truck is still going strong. The dealer wants to sell me another truck as a solution! Not!

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  Fun to Drive - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Pat - January 2 - 8:26 am

  In the quest to find a vehicle that suites both my husband and I we stumbled upon the HHR. Our original intention was to buy an Equinox or the like. The salesman suggested that we try the HHR. It was love at first drive. My husband is 62" and I am 53", we need a vehicle that can accomodate both of us. The HHR is perfect. It is one of the most comfortable cars Ive ever driven. The ride is smooth and the electric steering is a breeze. We traded in our 2001 Montana and are happy campers with the HHR. Now if I can only get the hang of the shifter on the floor. I keep turning on the windsheild wipers! Small price to pay for such a fun ride. Thanks Chevrolet.

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  Enjoyable SUV - 2012 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Eric Kleckner - January 2 - 4:32 am

  Have enjoyed owning this Traverse. Ready for another before body change and less room.

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  My first new van - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Regular Van - January 1 - 3:55 pm

  In spite of some less than glowing reviews by the experts I noted that consumers seemed to be quite impressed with this unit. I purchased it just before Xmas so made a 500 mile trip to Northern Sask to break it in. My wife and I were impressed with the ride, it felt more like a caddy. I set the cruise at 130 most of the time and it just purred along. I work summers in construction so require a more SUV type vehicle as well. I believe that I got this vehicle for much less cost than any Asian brand so highly rated. It has a 3.9 V6, ABS, remote start, tinted windows, 160,000 Powertrain warranty, OnStar, free road assistance, power windows and locks at a cost of $22,000.