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: practically trouble free car - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By asucincyoh - August 9 - 6:57 pm

  I bought my 1997 Mailibu in April of 2001. It had 73,000 miles on her. I had no vehicle trouble on any of these trips. My only complaint about the car is the fuel economy. For a 4 cylinder the gas mileage isnt that great. The most I ever got out of a tank of gas was 367mi on 15 gal tank. But dependibility wise this is the best car I have ever owned. The only part to ever break on the car was the altenator. That broke at about 90k mi. And it cost about $100 to replace by myself. But in 135k that was the only part to break. I would recomend a Mailibu to anyone who wants a dependable car. Also, the power is decent and it is fun to drive for a four door sedan.

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  My Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Wells - August 9 - 6:45 pm

  I enjoy driving my Colorado very much. I used to have a Ranger. It handles real good and has pretty good gas mileage, which we need here in Southern California. I like the feel of a midsize car, but the looks of a truck.

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  First Car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Kaitlyn - August 9 - 6:38 pm

  Alright, so my first car was a little more expensive than what most teens got at my school. However, it was definitely worth the investment compared to the "junkers" my friends bought. Ive only had one thing go wrong with my little Cavalier, and that was due to a poor mechanic. Not only that, but my little car was able to plow its way down the road on snowy Michigan roads that had sometimes a foot of snow.

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  2004 Malibu LT - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By dstracker - August 9 - 4:08 pm

  Easy to handle, and a pleasure to drive. Close the windows, crank up the CD volume, and life in traffic isnt so bad.

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  First New Truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Zach - August 9 - 2:46 pm

  I purchased this truck after having a 1991 Nissan Ext Cab 2WD and it is great. I average 22 MPG, mostly on the highway. I use the OnStar to run fire/EMS calls to find addresses. I love it. I may make aftermarket changes for performance, but its great right off the lot.

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  Cheap and Easy - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jeff - August 9 - 12:46 pm

  I bought this vehicle used with 169k and have had no problems to date. I wanted a cheap SUV that was still in good condition. The body is good with no rust, the engine runs great, and the interior is still in very good condition. For $2,700, I know I got a great deal.

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  Vehicle crash - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By marilyn gibbs - August 9 - 11:25 am

  I had a side impact crash in January which is bad way to find out how safe this vehicle is. It was totaled, but I walked away without a scratch. I loved my first one, but went out and bought another one. The only difference is the color. I love this one and feel safe.

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  BRAKES OF HELL - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By T. Rogers - August 9 - 8:02 am

  I purchased this 2008 HHR LS Wagon 4dr car used on February 15, 2016 on Presidents Day Mon. As far as RELIABILITY - Wednesday, I was at the repair shop to let them know when you first get in it to drive to work in the morning...it will not accelerate properly. At lunch time it does the same thing. But as you get going it doesnt do it again for the rest of the day. When I got to the service/repair shop they had me sit in the lobby, then they came and got me and asked me to ride along with the mechanic so I can tell them what Im talking about. It never did it again in the presence. Of course the next day it did it again. As far as PERFORMANCE/SAFETY - On Saturday February 27, 2016...I got into a 3-car accident, I was the third car. the car in front of me instantly stopped I SLAMMED on my brakes in which I had PLENTY enough time to stop, but the BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. Im telling you my daughter had a 2006 Chevy Blazer and those brakes stop on a dime. Other than the safety...the car looks amazing. The electronics, sound system, interior, style, everything is great as far as that.

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  A lot of car, not a lot of money - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By dogd923 - August 9 - 3:40 am

  My Daytona blue HHR turns heads and gets a lot of attention. People love the looks, even though most people mistake it for a PT Cruiser. Interior is roomy and comfortable, even for a 300lb guy like me. The 4 cylinder still has plenty of zip, and the gas mileage is great. I love the car, but my only complaint is- everyone asks-"what does HHR stand for?" Most cars that use initials for a model name,the actual spelled out name is either on the car,or brochure,or,owners manual. Nowhere on my paperwork, owners manual,or anywhere, says what "HHR" means. But,I really love this car, with its retro looks, and modern technology.

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  Impala Mechanical Quality - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mark - August 9 - 2:01 am

  Even though it was maintained to factory specs by the Chevy dealer and not driven hard, it has required a new transmission at 75,000 miles, new radiator fans at 70,000 miles, numerous power window motors and numerous batteries. The interior build quality is poor, especially the plastic trim pieces.