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:

• 

  Good all around - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Olds1368 - December 28 - 6:36 pm

  I have had this vehicle for 4 months. I bought the vehicle as baby number 2 is on its way. I have really enjoyed the vehicle thus far and am really happy I bought the vehicle. I has the storage we need and we both love to drive the vehicle. I use the vehicle for city driving and am very happy with the performance. When I am on the interstate, it drives like an SUV. It has good pick up and has performed very well.

• 

  Great Car - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By brian - December 28 - 6:18 pm

  Would recommend this car for someone who wants sports car but has family very comfortable good on gas 3.4 performance ok but used to driving a camaro z28. Front end needs some rebuild after 120k but not as expensive as some may say cost about $400. most cars require some rebuild after 100k so dont complain normal wear and tear. Little oil leak just damp under oil pan who ever said 600. to replace is getting ripped off easy to change. Transmission shifts great run awesome getting ready to tune up for 100k tune-up great car dependable.

• 

  2001 Monte - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By SD Beckwith - December 28 - 11:50 am

  I have enjoyed this car for 6 years and would buy another. The gas milelage was 22 in town and 28 mpg on the road. I had to replace the radiator fan unit this past year. My air conditioner will need to be replaced next year.

• 

  my dream truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mountum - December 27 - 10:00 am

  This was my very first new truck purchase.I ordered it in dec. 2001and got it in mar.It was exactly what Iwanted and very sharp looking.Had one small problem, it liked oil;and lots of it.Used 2 qts the first 1200 miles then 1 qt every 1000 miles.The dealership finally changed the pcv and that has stopped the consumption.Also had to have the rear springs replaced.

• 

  The Last Car I Though I Would Ever Buy! - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By cyburbs - December 27 - 1:21 am

  The Chevy salesman shows me a low low mileage 2009 "program car" with a new car warranty, and the LT with many options. I reluctantly take it for a test spin. Its really not like an SUV, but its fun to drive like an old school VW camper van. Chrome wheels, 2.4L engine, sunroof, remote start, great XM radio, configurable seating, room for my dogs. Its really fun to drive. Bought it a week ago, and really love the ride.

• 

  Great car - a few suggestions - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tom Rogers - December 26 - 4:26 pm

  We have enjoyed our Impala. Its 3.9L V6 has great acceleration. We like the fold down back seats and teh large trunk. The Onstar, XM radio, and on- bard phone are all great but too expensive. Initial tires were poor lasting only 60,000kms 37,500miles. No engine problems. In -40 weather there is no heat when idling. Had problem with stick shift stuck in park. Small window behind rear driver side door has molding fall off. Very low bumper on front somtimes catches on curbs and scratches the bumper.

• 

  Good Car - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Jared - December 26 - 1:10 pm

  Great all around car to have. I bought it with 97,000 miles a year ago. It had a few problems right away with the directional switch, but the dealer fixed it. Then it had a problem with the starter, but my warranty covered it. Besides that it is quite solid, and the engine purrs the way it did when it was brand new Im sure. I have no big complaints because all other problems are minor. The hinge on the storage compartment on mine broke too, and the transmission doesnt seem to grip right away when its shifted into park (it coasts a bit and then snaps to a rest pretty hard). Also, the gas mileage isnt great on mine (22 mpg) average, but Im buying some upgrades to improve that.

• 

  Slides in the Snow - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Susan - December 26 - 10:56 am

  This car is scary to drive in the snow. Theres a lot of sliding, even when driving at slow rates of speed. Ive had to put heavy items in the back, as if I were driving a pickup truck. The windows are difficult to see out of, because they are so small in order to see traffic signals and there are a lot of blind spots, because of the design of the front windows. I also had the rattling and shaking with the sway bar when I would brake. If I had to do it over again....Id look a little harder...

• 

  Had Reservations - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By MusicTeach - December 25 - 9:07 am

  My husband wanted to get an HHR for me because I need lots of trunk storage to haul musical instruments. I was concerned about the gas mileage, and the style of the car. Right now, in the cold, I am getting 25 mph around town, and I am pleased with that. It handles very well in the snow. I am still getting used to the style, but so far, I like it.

• 

  Would not buy one AGAIN!! - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ed - December 25 - 3:36 am

  Have had the power windows go out (both) twice. Once, while still in warranty. The dash is cracked in several places. Light on floor console has been out for 2 years now. I NEVER had this happen on ANY cras Ive ever had before!! Newest car Ive had. Nice sound system, ride, remote entry.