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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  Its a good car for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By davidricepar - September 25 - 3:12 pm

  Ive had my 2004 STD COUPE for a little over a year now and I have had no problems with it whatsoever. I have the sport appearance package and I suggest that upgrade it makes a lot of difference for a little bit of money. This car is surprisingly smooth at fast highway speed (Im talking 90+ mph). It cruises easily at that pace and obviously even better at normal 70-75 mph. The handling is wonderful and makes it a joy to drive.

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  Love it! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By brennaflower - September 25 - 8:50 am

  I love it! I have no complaints, I am proud of my purchase. Today I bought $300 worth of groceries and got all of them in the trunk! I also have a Camaro and I love it, but this car is much better for me to drive theres plenty of room for the kids, it is great!

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  You Gotta Love It - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By HHRfersure - September 25 - 6:40 am

  Admittedly, My wife and I have had this vehicle for less than a week, but she fell in love with it the minute she saw it. And I started appreciating it when I drove it and realized how truly comfortable and spacious it is, given its size, coupled with its affordable price and standard equipment. Ours is the 1LT with the larger 2.4L DOHC engine. It handles great and the gas mileage should far exceed the Trailblazer we traded (and both hated to part with) Chevy did it right this time. The ride is stable and quiet and it is fun to drive. It also has plenty of pick up for what well need it for. It does turn heads.

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  Wife Loves It, Period! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Rye Man Vtown - September 24 - 10:20 am

  My wife and I drive a VW Jetta and a Maxima and we needed to buy a SUV (NOo!!). But, our first baby is due in September and we needed a family car. So we went off and test numerous SUVs; Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, Infinity FX35, Mazda CX-9 and Nissan Murano. All most of them had the same options and features, but somehow the Chevy Traverse stood out from all of them. First, the design was eye catching (Generally I dont like the look of Chevy cars) sexy and aggressive at the same time; Second, the features where all comparable or even better than the other top-end models of the other manufactures I mention above. Finally, the price and interest rate from Chevy BEAT all competitors. GO USA!!

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  2001 Blazer - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dave - September 24 - 9:02 am

  Bought the vehicle used, with low miles, and GM certified. Also purchased the extended warranty, and its a good thing. This vehicle has been in the shop more than any other vehicle Ive ever owned, with oil cooler lines twice, battery cables corroding prematurely, coolant leaks, and worst of all, lack of heat. No one has been able to fix the heat concern, even after seven tries, with the radiator, heater core, and main control head being relpaced, plus a flush. The vehicle is also the worst riding car Ive ever owned.Also rattles everywhere- Dont get me wrong- I am not bashing GM because Ive had other GM products that have been terrific and I definitely will own another- just not a Blazer

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  consumer reting - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By L.A.Hough - September 24 - 8:33 am

  Have no problems.The gas mileage could be a little better.Sound system is very good.Comfort way above average.

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  Awesome car. - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By sully91rs - September 24 - 7:25 am

  I have a 91 RS with the 5.0 v8 (170hp, 255lb/ft) with an aftermarket exhaust, and it is extremely fun to drive. Camaros are popular cars, but there arent a lot of good looking third gens on the road, adding to the fun of owning one.

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  My Second MAXX!! - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Marla - September 23 - 6:46 pm

  My husband and I had a 2005 Maxx, and I had an accident, 60 to 0 in what felt like a second! All six air bags deployed, I had a broken arm and wrist (from the air bag) and a burn on my neck from the seat belt and some bruising, But that was all! The car was totaled but I walked away. When we went to get another car, we had to have another MAXX!! We haul anything and everything! We drove to Mesa, AZ for Chicago Cub Spring training and got great gas mileage!! Why they quit making them I dont know!!! but they need to re-think their decision!!

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  Aavalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By avalanche - September 23 - 4:03 pm

  I have been very satified with my purchase. It has proven to be very reliable and durable.I can ride with style and grace or pull, haul, and move anything I desire with no problem. I will be trading for the next year model soon.

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  Its a keeper - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Scott Sloan - September 23 - 3:36 pm

  With 3 kids and a mother in law, the Uplander is very functional for us. I think Chevy did a great job, given that this wasnt a new design from the frame up. The interior doesnt even resemble that of the former van, the Venture. The dash has a particularly sophisticated and quality look. The seats are also a huge improvement in the comfort/asthetics department. The exterior only looks like the former model from the back. The front, sides, and wheels are new. Its a combination that comes together well and grows on you. All of our friends really like the look. I think silver is its best color