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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  Fine Van - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Fine Van - January 20 - 11:12 am

  This is an all around good minivan. The power sliding doors are the only problem. They open back up whenever i close them!! This van could also be more fuel efficient. The build quality is good. the space is wonderful.

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  Awesome! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By mbentzen - January 20 - 6:36 am

  Had been building my car on the website for a couple months, so knew what I wanted. Got the 1LT in Rally Yellow with the black stripes and the Boston stereo system. Had an 88 when I got pregnant and traded it for a minivan. Then, had a 77 (in 2001), but moved to FL so had to sell it. Traded my earth-friendly Prius for this car and dont regret it at all!! People love to look at it all the time.

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  cant see! - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jill wilson - January 19 - 10:05 pm

  i like most things about this car but Im SO frustrated with the visibility im looking for something to trade for. i cant believe the reviews for this car r so good with the visibility so bad. Im 5,boyfriend 62 and he complains about the visib. also.its hard to get in and out of and half the time the door starts to close and pushes u back into the side of car. dont like how the center air vents in dash blow harder than outside vents.i have stated confidently to friends that i WILL have a wreck in this car because i cant see. its a shame that the visib. issue outweighs all its other pluses.if you r considering this car do some serious test-driving(lots of parking and changing lanes,etc

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  love it! - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bwilly - January 19 - 6:46 pm

  I just bought my 2010 Tahoe and couldnt be more pleased. I was originally looking at the expedition but after driving one, was not impressed at all. The tahoe feels more solid and well built, both in and out. The ride is better as well. I particularly enjoy the little electronic additions this truck brings, bluetooth phone link. touchscreen nav, and usb port with full access to the ipod menu architecture. My one complaint is the lack of fold away rear seats. Having to remove seats to haul extra stuff is an inconvenience, but one I will surely get used to quickly. I am overall very pleased with my purchase. Cant rate reliability yet.... In 100 miles of my average driving, am getting 15 mp

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  2SS Camaro - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jazbati - January 19 - 12:32 pm

  I had some noise coming out of the exhaust, its on order to be replaced under warranty and has been on order fro more than a month now. That is the only heart ache I have about the car. Rest is great so far.

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  08-Z06 to 09 Callaway - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By WFO(selectively) - January 19 - 10:25 am

  All an individual has to do is test drive a current vette in any form to measure it up versus the other brands in its class and the value is so remarkably apparent.Purchased a o8zo6 coupe and the bug of exhilaration hit me during the few thousand miles I put on it. I traded it in after six months as if the 505hp.7.0ltr didnt suffice. Had to go for a 580hp.t-top cyber-grey 6spd. callaway-vette with a super-charged 6.3l(LS3)Also, add the lightest road wheel available,some oversized brakes,short-throw shifter,sport seat package and multi-pro suspension system. You have a vehicle that equals the ZR1 in the quarter mile and is warrantied 3yrs/36000mile powertrain for much less dinero.

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  Love this SUV! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Jen - January 19 - 12:31 am

  I have enjoyed this care VERY much! It drives like a dream and is cozy and quiet inside and out. It is wonderful in the snow too, though I havent driven it in VERY deep snow yet. It sticks to the road and I have yet to slide in bad weather. I feel very safe driving it. My kids love the DVD and XM radio. Gas mileage blows. I think GM needs to be honest in that department. Ive had this car for a month now and I cant seem to break 16 mpg no matter what I do. Good thing the car is WONDERFUL in many other aspects...I can overlook the mpg, I guess.

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  The best car for the money you can buy - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Odie - January 18 - 3:19 pm

  This car has provided 225,000 trouble free miles. It also provides 35 miles per gallon highway, at turnpike speeds & the A/C on. Its solid & fun to drive.I cant imagine any foreign car being more reliable.

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  Trailblazer review - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By lu213 - January 17 - 7:07 pm

  My wife and I have owned our trailblazer since 2005. We purchased the vehicle with only 20,000 miles on it. IT now has 100,000. We have never had any major problems with our T blaze, other than replacing the battery, thermostat, and the idler pulley. I do all the maintenance on the vehicle. We live in a rural area approximately 20 miles to the nearest city so we do alot of driving and traveling. The vehicle handles very well and pulls great to be a six cylinder under a load. In all a very nice suv would recommend to any one looking to purchase a suv.

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  I Love my HHR! - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By jaj - January 17 - 6:58 pm

  I bought a used 2009 HHR to replace my 2000 Pontiac Sunfire. I love it! Its comfortable, peppy,fuel-efficient, fun to drive, and handles well.