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 value & safe - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By mlmotorsport - October 6 - 9:56 am

  I bought the HHR to use it as a work vehicle because I haul a variety of odd objects on a daily basis. It carries a ton of stuff for such a compact vehicle. I soon found out that the HHR was much more than just a reasonably priced fuel sipping "stuff" hauler. Last week I was rear-ended by a full size Dodge cargo van. I was stopped but the van hit me so hard that I was pushed 20ft by the impact (with my brakes applied). I figured the tailgate would be in the back seat judging from such a hard hit but there was almost no visible damage other than some scuffs on the bumper. The Dodge could only be so lucky. Its bumper had to be pried off of its front wheels before it could even move.

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  Aveo: a real contender, poorly marketed - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Mike - October 6 - 7:46 am

  GM cannot figure out why they cant sell cars. Here is a pleasing, cool, practical contender in the Mini club but whos to know? Great gear box, precise steering feel, amazingly quiet with a compliant, controlled ride. The only weakness I could find: the seat has little support (you sit on it, not in it) and the headrest is somewhat annoying and doesnt support the head comfortably. But, a definite "must drive" when considering Fit, Yaris, etc. A well developed package for all-around use that puts a smile on your face.

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  I love this car - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Heidi - October 5 - 4:16 pm

  This is one ofthe best cars I have ever had. I love the way it does not look all minivanish. I am a young mom, and it is still stylish.

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  The Best of the worst - 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kitcloudkicker81@gmail.com - October 5 - 6:52 am

  Rental cars are typically what they are, cars that are beaten on, and nothing special, but this one is about the best GM vehicle i have driven (car only has 1125 miles). The panel fitment on the body is terrible, interior is cheap, and the plastics are 1970s quality, but the transmission is the best automatic 4cyl trans that GM has to offer, the shifts are crisp in comparison to other GM products, the engine is unrefined, and i would absolutely opt for the v6, but its better than the turbo offerings. Low end torque is there and throttle response is good enough to drive in city traffic or cruise on the highway. The seats are big, comfortable if not a little too soft, the interior seating quality will never last as long as the car, but then people who buy GM products typically dont expect them to last hundreds of thousands of miles either (if they did, buy a Pushrod GM product). The SUV is good on gas averaging 24MPG Eco mode in city traffic, and 33MPG eco mode on the highway, not too bad. Looks are a subject of taste, but the front of the thing looks like a joke, the high trim line over the front, just makes it look weird to me, the older ones were way better looking IMO. As far as the entertainment system, it is cheap, the speakers are cheap, the head unit is like every other GM delco branded unit, but it is lacking features that exist on higher end cars, or upscale models, its Ok to drive, the seating position is more car like than the Buick Encore or Chevy Trax, but the SUV still feels top heavy. The Big tires, smaller wheels on the LT trim line make the steering very vague, and not very positive on where the wheels are facing.. It honestly feels twitchy. Personally, i am very critical when it comes to cars, and each person will have their own tastes, expectation, and personalities, but from a critical outlook i will say that this is not the best car on the road, and frankly for the price, it isnt even in the middle as per where i would rate it against other offerings, but.. It is one of the better GM products.. Maybe not in the looks, maybe not in the exterior build quality, or interior fit and finish, but the engine, and transmission feel like one of the better products, and when buying american, you want something that will run, and be easy to fix. This is something i would give a good rating for, the ease of repair, and the quality of the engineering feel like they are there..

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  Reliable. Interior needs redesign - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By downtown - October 4 - 11:04 pm

  My Tahoe has been great, I love the size, but I have a few suggestions. Its been a great, reliable car. But I will not get another until they fix these things. I am looking at an Infinity QX56.

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  Keeping it as log as possible - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Great little car - October 4 - 2:44 pm

  Took my big Ford F-150 off the road as gas was getting too expensive for the mileage I got on it. Bought the car with a lot of mileage and little rust. Runs great, great on gas. Close to 40 mpg. Put 12,000 miles on it with no problems. Replaced rear brakes and self installed a new heater core. Very little room under the dash. Im very impressed with the vehicle. Obviously the previous owner(s) took care of it especially up here in Maine with all the salt on the roads in winter

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  Gorman - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Gorman - October 4 - 1:18 pm

  Very satisfied with my Chevy Lumina. It is the easiest car ever to drive. Holds the road well. Have had only to do routine maintenance. Would really consider buying another Chevrolet product in the future.

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  A Real Test Drive..... - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By lk - October 4 - 11:06 am

  Lets talk Turkey. I love this car. I had researched it and looked at it and when my 1998 145,000ml Chevy Blazer finally gave out this was the car I headed to. 2 days ago I was driving the middle lane when a car pulled out from my right to cross over 3 lanes in front of me. I laid on my horn and steered left as the car that pulled out still was crossing left with no signal. I slammed on my breaks thinking that I should have gotten gap protection when the entire car locked up and stopped me from smashing into this guys rear end. I have never been that close to an accident and that second I thanked god I was in this car. I know that sounds dramatic, but what if my kids were with me? good car.

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  Love my Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By john morgan - October 4 - 10:00 am

  Couldnt ask for more for your money and the best part is that it is American made!!!!!Not some car company overseas!

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  great car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By dental lab - October 4 - 10:00 am

  rides like a big car