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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  Cant wait to be rid of it - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Rick - November 13 - 9:44 pm

  This vehicle has been nothing but problems and repairs. Has 80,000 miles and my mechanic tells me this thing is having problems that shouldnt be happening until well over 100,000 miles. Replaced altenator twice, replaced fuel pump, gauges dont work, every little thing in the passenger compartment rattles when you are going down the road. Started changing oil at 2,000 mile intervals, because of the incredible amount of sludge I had draining from the oil filter when I would change the oil. Just an overall piece of junk.

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  Suburban - Theres no substitute - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By avusblue - November 13 - 9:42 pm

  A big upgrade! The new body style has four main areas of significant improvement: Interior quality: New interior is night and day improvement. Appearance, design, fit and finish, and quality and touch of the materials are all vastly better. Quietness: While the previous vehicle was quiet, now it is absolutely silent while cruising. But when you “step on it” hard, the V8 burble becomes audible and sounds great. Well done GM. Steering and handling: The new steering is noticeably more precise, “tight” and controllable. No wallow or float. The new Suburban drives like it’s half its size and weight. Brakes: Firmer pedal feel, more confident and effective braking.

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  New Owner - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Harold Profitt - November 12 - 11:46 pm

  I have been extremely pleased with this vehicle. The gas mileage has been a wonderful surprise. Im getting almost 25 mpg in the city and almost 37 mpg on the highway.

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  Another Impala - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Susan - November 12 - 1:06 pm

  I had my first Impala in 2003. Wow, What a stable ride, great manuevering, great acceleration, Great comfort. When I had to get a new car, (My lease was up) I test drove several other cars, but came back to the Impala. It is a tiger on the road and I feel safe!

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  Cavalier is K-mart class JUNK! - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By tony22r - November 12 - 8:36 am

  Blown head gaskets after 36,000 miles. Electrical shorts/problems since new. Transmission & engine oil pans leaked like a Pig since new. Windows fell of their tracks. LOTS of squeaks, rattles, annoying sounds coming from engine, passenger compartment, transmission. In short, do NOT buy a Chev Cavalier! It is PURE JUNK!

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  AFTER ADJUSTMENTS - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By wcorrea - November 12 - 2:00 am

  After a year of driving my Blazer, i must admit that its a keeper. True enough, I made a bad choice of purchasing my truck with 57,000k on the motor at only a year old. But, after a tune-up and changing the air filter from AC Delco to K&N, ive seen a massive improvement. Since having the truck ive driven out of State, to and from the same location twice, once before and after the changes. The first trip took three full tanks of gas, but the second only took two full tanks. So, that was basically one full tank of gas extra in my pocket. And, the filter also improved my performance.

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  Fantastic - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By reesiej - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I love my new malibu very comfortable to drive smooth ride and great sounding stereo. All the features of a big car but the size is perfect very roomy. Did I mention the ride is SMOOTH

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  I LOVE my Equinox! - 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Deana Steil - November 11 - 10:23 am

  I looked at and test drove a handful of other small to midsize SUVs thinking i was finally going to get what i REALLY wanted and not be penny pinching this time around (within reason). Nissan, Acura, BMW, to name a few and couldnt help but come back to Chevy. The functionality and beautiful design far surpassed the others. Im almost 3 years in - coming to the end of the lease - and if it makes sense, will definitely consider keeping it. There a few minor things Im not crazy about: an optional piece had to be added between the back seat and cargo area to keep things from slipping between the large space between. There is molding that is coming loose on the front passenger side underneath the door jamb. Sometimes when using blue tooth to play music, it gets stuck saying the song has been paused and i have to close the music on i-tunes and restart it for some unknown reason. Other than that, i couldnt be happier - no major issues and shes nice to look at too!

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  07Chevy Avalanche LTZ - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By LTZ - November 11 - 12:37 am

  I bought the car about three weeks ago. Got the LTZ package which is just great with navigation, rear entertainment system, reverse camera, power mirrors and pedals, sunroof, and 20" rims. Hard to find a brush guard for it, but other than that its a great car. My cousins have an 02 and an 05 but they come nowhere near this baby.

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  Hot Hot Ride - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Harry - November 10 - 7:23 pm

  This is an awesome vehicle. I love it because it is different! But the ride is awesome. My family fights over who will get to drive it! My grandson already told me that I have to keep it so he can drive it! The only thing that I did not like is that OnStar was not available. The extra cost down the road is worth it. But I love this HHR!