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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  For the Money - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By doctordre - November 7 - 1:00 am

  I am coming out of a 2002 Eddie Bauer Explorer V8 and I cant believe the smooth power this truck possesses. The 2nd and third rows are roomier and easier to get in and out of and the DVD with wireless headsets are great! I tried to get back into another Explorer but Ford didnt seem to want my business as the E.B is now a former shell of what it once was in 2002, no 3rd row seats standard and unless your willing to spend $40K your not getting it well equipped and almost stripped other than the 2 tone paint. This Chevy fully loaded and in my opinion is a great value for the dollar.

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  GAS MILAGE - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By SEEKER - November 6 - 11:35 pm

  I bought my HHR in May 2009. I have only had it for 6 months, but I have had no problems and I can get up to 40 miles on highway. Maybe thats be cause I drive a stick and I do drive a ways back from semis to cut the wind shear. I love my car. Only complaints is the arm rest seems to high, I cant stand that my window controls are in the middle, and the little windows make me feel like I dont have enough visibility. To many blind spots.

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  glad tidings - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By larry - November 5 - 10:31 pm

  we all expect the best and this malibu has performed much better than average. one complaint that i have is mileage odometer is off reads about 103+ miles for every 100 chev says this is not unreasonable and wont fix. i have had turn signal bulbs burn out but replaced with heavy duty no problems.

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  08Bolt - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Murphalo - November 5 - 9:41 pm

  I love this car. Its reliable, gets great gas mileage, and really is fun to drive. Has a great look to it, and the stereo system is great.

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  I love my truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By kestor - November 5 - 10:00 am

  I love the performance and the capabilities of my truck. I have hauled a yard of damp sand and gravel mix, with 8-94# bags of cement in my bed and I have had no problems. The suspension is incredible, and the brakes are awesome!

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  Great All Around - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Hovatch - November 5 - 10:00 am

  I looked at this car on accident. I really wanted a focus, but couldnt understand why i was going to pay almost $2500 more for a focus with 5spd and air when i got my AVEO loaded. I added the cruise, i spent the extra cash, but it was welll worth it.

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  2003 Jeff Gordon Signature Monte Carlo - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Ron Ignelzi - November 5 - 10:00 am

  A Must for all die-hard Jeff Gordon fans! This car is the BEST looking of all the Signature Series cars built by GM. Fun to drive and gets lots of positive comments from people that see it. Plenty of power and good gas mileage to boot.

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  My new Betsy - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Matisa - November 5 - 10:00 am

  The smaller version of the trailblazer is great. Its comfortable cute and affordable.

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  Good Vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Malibu03 - November 4 - 9:10 pm

  Purchased vehicle at 31,000 miles, 2 years old. I always have my cars serviced at the appropriate times. Never had to do anything to it until the brakes went after 3 years of driving it (20,000 mi/yr). This past week the fuel pump went, but I purchased a 7yr/100,000 service contract which paid for the replacement. Have always liked the car. No other issues and Im at 90,000 miles.

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  Well built - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Harold W. - November 4 - 8:30 pm

  Bought this program Trailblazer with 7500 miles on it. Now has 16700 and I dont have one complaint. It is one of the best handling vehicle I have driven. Very comfortable on long trips.I have not had anything to complain about and I would buy another one.