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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  Fun car for the money - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Sharon - June 19 - 6:30 pm

  I bought this car because I wanted something with a hatchback for carrying around the dog and our sons sports equipment, plus I wanted something that would get decent gas mileage. This car works great for both. I got the upgraded engine - 177 hp, which is zippy enough to get you around in traffic. It is quiet at high speeds (70 mph) and is responsive with its steering. Good car for the money! Ive had it for three months. No problems with anything. Good headroom - even with the sunroof. a/c works great. Backseat passengers have plenty of legroom. Ive been getting 26 mpg - combo of city and highway driving, mostly city.

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  TOTALLY SATISFIED - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dgarcia - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I AM COMPLETELY IN LOVE WITH MY NEW MALIBU. I TRADED IN A 99 MALIBU LS AND FEEL AS IF I AM AT THE TOP OF THE LINE WITH MY 04 MALIBU LT. IT IS FULLY LOADED WITH FEATURES I DIDNT THINK I COULD AFFORD. I AM TOTALLY SAFE AND I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE. KUDOS TO CHEVROLET FOR THE UPGRADE.

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  Best car we have owned! - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Donald Chrisman - June 18 - 2:26 am

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  Great Drive - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Don - June 17 - 1:53 pm

  Since I purchased my Monte Carlo, Ive had no problems with it. The gas mileage isnt bad for a V-8. The car is comfortable to drive. Very roomy for taller people. The way the back seat opens into the trunk is very useful for carrying things. With no molding on the exterior sides, I have to be careful where I park. Overall this is the first car Ive had in a long time I plan to keep beyond two years.

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  Just Got My HHR as a Compnay Car! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Hughesjay - June 15 - 6:10 am

  So far so good I have had the HHR for just over a week, I also own a TB and an Envoy. I love it -surprised at the power from a 4 cyl. Also like the ride and its not noisy like most small vehicles you get so much for the price I would recommend to all at any age.

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  Best Truck Ive Ever Driven! - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By RegRanger - June 14 - 2:16 am

  Been driving pickups since the mid-70s-this is the best truck Ive ever owned! This is a 2002 that I just bought 7/05 with 56K on it. Rides nice and is very quiet. Lots of conveniences. Getting around 17 mph highway with the 5.3 liter. Rear seats have reasonable amount of leg room and comfort too.

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  My First Brand New Car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By SMoothDrRod - June 12 - 10:00 am

  So for the first time in my life, I actually went out looking for a car, a brand new car. I wanted decent space, comfortable yet competent handling, etc. and I ultimately ended spend 2 months going through all of the local delearships in my area test driving every car in the "Large Sedan" Class. Ultimately it came down to a 2004 Accord V-6, or the 2004 Impala SS. The accord takes forever to downshift (when I press the gas down, I expect the machine to down shift) and the Transmission of the accord was a little less smooth in comparison to the ultra silky performance of the Impalas transmission. In a word overall this vehicle is amazing.

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  Love My Tahoe!!! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By suv mom - June 12 - 10:00 am

  I am a former Landrover owner and happened to have a new 2004 picked out when my husand asked me to "please take a moment and just test drive the tahoe" and that was the end of my Landrover ownership years! The tahoe drives so well, I just dont want to ride in any other vehicle - and with all of the room I always volunteer to drive my friends around town. I own the version with the captains chairs on the second row and this makes the third row seating very accessable and comfortable. I have owned many vehicles and this is by far my favorite - drivability, safety, towing ability, interior design, great looking exterior.......

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  TRAILBLAZER - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By LONNIE - June 12 - 10:00 am

  I LIKE DRIVING THE TRAILBLAZER I THINK IT HANDLES GOOD IN CORNERS AND LOTS OF ROOM TO STRETCH OUT !!

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  Looks unique on the road - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By smk - June 12 - 10:00 am

  Recenty I purchased this vehicle, and have been stopped by several people at gas stations and store parking lots asking what type of car it is and how do I like it. I smile and tell them Chevy and its the best purchase I have ever made. I looked into the Jeep Liberty, Ford Escape, and the Hyundai Santa Fe (since my father has a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe and is pleased with his purchase). All of the vehicles I was interested in had some features & the price range I wanted, but non had all until we came across the Equinox. We both researched and test drove the Equinox. Thats all it took, I was sold and my dad is ready to trade.