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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  A Dream come true - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By LovemyVette - November 4 - 1:01 pm

  I will start by saying WHAT A MACHINE ! This is my second Corvette, my first one was a 99 magnetic red and it was a great car. My new 09 blows it away. I knew it would be better than the 99 but never imagined how much better. It rides great, handles like a dream and the dual mode exhaust makes a noticeable difference in both sound and performance. The 3LT trim package with the Z51 option also well worth it. Every time I go to the garage and see my Vette sitting there it brings a huge smile to my face !

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  HHR SS->is a "BLAST" - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By bcom76 - November 3 - 7:55 pm

  I ended up with this car completely by accident.I was not looking for a new car but happened to be given an HHR as a rental car.My first thoughts were- what else is available.However,it did not take me long to really appreciate this car/suv.I like it so much that when I returned home I researched the HHR and bought an SS.I traded a an suv that I really liked-a 2007 Tahoe LTZ and I have not been disappointed.This HHR SS is comfortable,stylish,economical and,when needed,very fast. An excellent purchase and I have no regrets.A fun car overall!!

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  Best bang for your buck - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ryan - November 3 - 9:53 am

  I was seaching for a car this summer after my 1997 Ford Escort gave out and I was looking at the Saturn ION coupe but I couldnt afford the price tag. My friend was the salesman at the dealership so he told me to go check out the Cobalts cause they are the same car minus the halfdoors. This car is phenominal for the price, I never thought that a NA 4banger could keep up with my friends v6 Mustang but it does. The back trunk is huge granted you can get your stuff beyond the tiny opening.

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  1995 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 Auto - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Gary H. - November 2 - 3:50 pm

  Purchased the vehicle used with 33,600 miles and drive it as a daily-driver. At 147,600 miles I am still enjoying it just as much. This car is truly a great value. The price of these cars are low and the performance and dependability is high. The Clear Coat Base Coat black paint is beautiful. Even 14 years later it looks great. The performance is great. This is a whole lot of car for the money. The 100,000 tune-up is the first real money I have spent on it other than oil changes. Great Z07 brakes thanks to the elimination of the ZR1. Great vehicle for weekend get-aways. The rear compartment holds a lot of stuff and luggage. I really like the sleek timeless design.

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  Gotta love this car!! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By LB - November 2 - 3:29 pm

  All I can say is "Man is this car fun to drive!" And Im just finishing up about 10 years of driving a BMW 5 series and X-5. The torque and acceleration are just awesome in this car, and I dont even have the Stage 1 Kit installed yet. Even though I have an AT rather than Manual, it is still fast and still fun. Ive only had it for a couple of weeks, so Im sure the glamor will wear off, but for right now, this car is a blast to drive. I cant speak for the other versions, but the SS is the way to go if you are into performance as well as looks.

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  1995 Chevrolet Corvette 2 Dr STD Coupe - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Gary H. - November 2 - 2:26 pm

  Mine is a daily driver and great for weekend get aways. The rear compartment holds more than you may think. The LT1 drivetrain has been outstanding (HP, torque, gas mileage, and dependable). The paint job still looks great after 14 years. Tune-ups every 100,000 miles is great. Not to mention Z07 brakes thanks to the elimination of the ZR1. Outstanding value, it affords me the ability to have a more expensive house note since these cars are so affordable.

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  STREET RACING MADE EASY - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Kal - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Well to say the least, I think this is the fastest inline 4 cyl. vehicle put out for 2002! Ive beaten most other 4s, and some small 6s while I was at it too! Just a great car ya know?

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  yo - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By cory matsyeu - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I love this car

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  The Real King Of the Road - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By TJ - November 2 - 2:00 am

  This is the real deal when it comes to working trucks. It can haul serious heavy loads as well as run like the wind. It does all of this in a Cadillac comfort zone. Keep up the pace Chevy, thell never catch you..

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  Stevens Reveiw - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By steven duke - November 2 - 2:00 am

  This is the best truck i have ever purchased i would recommened this truck to other car buyers