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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  Malibu Surprise! - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By shulse - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Malibu Surprise! Thats what we humorously refer to our Malibu LS as, if you think it will be there, ha, gotcha and surprise.... Seriously though, I did expect more from a $18,500 car purchase. This is unfortunate, unreliable, and costly to keep going. I have had 6 warranty calls, a brake job, and now the electrical is out. Take my advice, buy a different car.

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  Unique Whip the HHR experience - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jeff Lynch - March 2 - 2:30 am

  This car has the look of a modern day hotrod. The chopped roof and the chrome accents inside set it apart from other mundane cars I looked at. The price is excellent for all the features and comfort. The gas mileage is great and the power is fine for a daily commuter. Unlike other reviews, I like where the window switches are, thats just one feature that makes it unique. Turns heads and my wife loves to park her gas hog to drive the HHR. Chevy hit a winner on this one!!

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  Love my boo - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Aleshea - March 2 - 12:39 am

  I am pleasantly surprised to have an affordable, reliable, American made car. My family of four drove on a long 1000 mile road trip in the Malibu. We got great gas mileage (33 mpg) and we were very comfortable. I love driving this car and found the price very reasonable. It was an easy choice!

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  Not Pleased - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kentwa - March 2 - 12:26 am

  I have had problem after problem with this vehicle. I noticed on the Edmunds message board other owners have had similar problems. The dealer appears to be clueless when some of these issues are mentioned even though they appear to be consistan issues with others across the board. At the first opportunity, I plan to trade her in for possibly a whole new make. This has not been a pleasant experience with a new car purchase.

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  Great second car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By John - March 2 - 12:00 am

  I traded in my gas guzzler after gas topped $3 a gallon. I needed a car that averaged atleast mid 20s to a gallon. After some serching and not wanting a 4 door the cobalt was my choice. I got the LT version for 18,000 including taxes. So far the car has performed well, but did have a paint peeling issue on the front bumper, which they repaired. There is nothing to jump up and down for on this car, its transportation. Its basic wheels.

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  Forget the reviews, REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By imagesinvinyl - March 1 - 11:27 pm

  I owned my truck for about 7 months now, and I was recently involved in a horrendous rollover accident in it. I was a sleeping passenger while a friend drove in route to Portland, OR. Needless to say, he fell asleep, I awoke to the truck losing all control and ultimately flipping several times. It was completely destroyed, not one part was left un-damaged. He and I both were wearing seatbelts, and both walked away. Banged up and bruised, but walked away, or should I say crawled out through a rear door window opening. DONT TRY THIS, but I am buying another Chevy. We lived with minor injuries.

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  Great for the money, but... - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By dadkars - March 1 - 10:20 pm

  Traded in my gas guzzling Suburban, paying the gas was just plain crazy! At first I thought I had settled for the HHR, boy I was wrong. I love my HHR. Fun to drive, not as nimble as a MINI but awesome for under $16K. We like it so much that we are considering trading my wifes car for the special edition HHR or the Super Sport HHR. One huge complaint, I really believe everyone should complain about the $395 option for rear air bags! Crazy! Chevy should include this in every HHR. That would seal the deal. If I would have know before, I would have ordered an HHR with the option of airbags for the rear seats.

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  Best Personal Use Truck Yet - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mjjust - March 1 - 10:19 pm

  This has to be the best personal use truck on the market. 16 mpg city, 22 mpg on highway, tows my 7000 pound boat without trouble, rides great, and comes standard with removable bed cover, built in locking storage (which work great as an ice chest), bed mat, etc. No mechanical issues, warranty expired without ever needing service.

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  So far, so good - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Otis - March 1 - 9:59 pm

  500 miles in and happy so far. After 500 mile oil change (due to Z-51 package) will put the hammer down and try the launch control.

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  Awsome Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By marro1 - March 1 - 6:48 pm

  This truck rides like a dream! I have found no other brand of truck that rides as smooth and quiet. Everyone who has been a passenger in this vehicle is extremly surprised at the quality of the ride. People find it hard to believe its a truck!