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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  New HHR Review - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Ceil Johnson - April 3 - 5:16 am

  HHR is a nice looking car and I have all the bells and whistles. However, it is short on power and when the sunroof is open, it makes too much noise. The insulation in the car where the open hood is, insulation is coming out. For the MSRP, the car is cheaply made and overpriced. Too much plastic inside vehicle, mirrors are not lighted and the side panels are cheaply made.

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  So far so good! - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Triadium - April 2 - 3:55 pm

  Ive had my 2007 Chevy Tahoe LT3 about 2.5 years now. Its been holding up really well so far. It still looks good and the interior has

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  09 Impala - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By Impala Owner - April 2 - 2:42 pm

  Ive had this car for three months and am generally satisfied. The gas mileage is excellent and the ride and handling are OK to good. The car is roomy. Outside visibility is somewhat hindered because of the door posts. No trouble so far. I would characterize this car as bland satisfactory basic transportation but other cars might offer more for the money.

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  Great All Around - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By HollyB - April 2 - 8:44 am

  I am pleasantly surprised at how much I like this car. Its very roomy and quiet on the road with a lot of features not available on the competition. I have the mid-grade LT1, front wheel drive model. Its easy to see out of fore and aft, so driving, parking and backing up is easy. The gas mileage is great I have been averaging over 20 city/hiway and it only requires regular gas. Given I have only the mid level model it doesnt drive sporty but is pretty agile. However, it can feel tipsy in very windy driving conditions, which makes the steering feel a too light. Upgraded models might mitigate this. Lastly, while the seats are comfy, they are a bit too soft on long drives.

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  Happy to be in the 2000S Vehicles - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By E. Georgia Fox - April 2 - 1:01 am

  I recently owned a 96 Ford Explorer 4 WD and wanted to upgrade my vehicle. I wanted a van and checked out our local car dealer for the first time. He gave me a good deal on my Ford and introduced me to a Venture Van! I loved it the minute I seen it, took it for a drive. I am a person who prays for guidance, pray for safe trip in the 4 directions while I drive and pray for my vehicle, that it runs good and takes me where I need to go! Today, I just purchased a used one! I still cannot believe I am driving a vehicle in the 2000s catagory! I am a person who buys what I can afford. I dont want car payments, as long as it runs good for me. I am blessed and thankful.

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  surprisingly good car - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By johnathanwills - April 1 - 6:42 pm

  I am biased to GM as I work for them but this car has been nothing but a pleasure. Ive replaced one wheel bearing since 2004. It has great fuel economy on the highway, not great in the city. The car is plain and nobody notices it which is nice when its parked in a lot overnight. One tip dont skimp on brake parts. Mine squeak constantly and have before when Ive used so-so parts.

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  Say No With Snow... - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By New Owner HHR - April 1 - 8:45 am

  We just purchased this HHR my husband wanted to look at one and I thought I would humor him when I got in OK it was fun. So I told him ok. Got it home and the next day it snowed. Well I went to pick my son up at the school and when I stopped at a light everything from the roof slid down onto the windshield total whiteout couldnt see anything(so make sure to brush off roof in the snow) But anyways this thing does not handle well in snow or slush took alot to control it it wanted to slide all over the place I found myself driving extra slow. Pretty sure I ticked people off behind me. I think If you lived in a warmer state with no SNOW this would be a nice ride BUT NO to SNOW...

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  My Chevy - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Amy - March 31 - 12:02 pm

  I have had to replace the stereo twice, the dealership says that "self made cds" tend to not work in the cd players and they will eventually get stuck inside. I cant have the back windows down on the freeway cause of a knocking wind sound but the gas mileage is good. Regular oil changes and tire rotations and maintenance work wonders. The car gets me where I need to go and with any product you buy, there will always be issues. I find that people who complain non stop about their cars are the people who do not do the regular maintenance. This is a long term investment that does require routine care. Sometimes you get a lemon though. It is American made and that is good.

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  Follow up review at 15K miles - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Tomster - March 29 - 9:33 pm

  I have already reviewed my 2008 Cobalt LS sedan once, but I thought folks might appreciate an update. I have now owned the car almost ten months, and I have 15,150 miles on it. The car has performed flawlessly, and I have not had a single issue with it. I am getting about 27 or 28 MPG overall average, which is not too bad in my opinion for an automatic. I live in a rural area, and my driving is mostly on hilly, curvy, two lane country roads and in town. I am still amazed by how that little Cobalt will scoot! That 2.2L engine is amazingly powerful. I am extremely happy with the car.

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  5ft tall - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By deeply sadden - March 29 - 7:32 pm

  Ive had my Malibu about 7 months, unable to see past the passenger side mirror and door frame (with a Pillow). I knew I would have this problem when I bought it just thought I needed a pillow. Well after forcing my self to drive the car (all of the 9 times that I have), I almost hit some one every time. I do love the car I just cannot see. Because of this safety hazard, I am unsatisfied with this car. My husband is the only person that drives it, unless I have to run around the corner or something and it’s blocking my truck. I drive my old XL7. I cannot trade the car, I will be upside down $8000.00 just stuck with a cute car that’s just Cute to me. Do not buy if your 54 and under