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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  I love my like new 92 - 1992 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Travis - August 10 - 8:23 pm

  I found this immaculate all original garage kept suburban with underbody and inner panels all rust proofed I purchased from older gentleman who claimed he never drove it in the rain. I use this vehicle for road trips .I refreshed all fluids and replaced every out dated part.Id drive it anywhere and have already.I treat this vehicle with love!!And turned down $12000.00 for its resale! I will keep this for as long as I can ,they are just not made this good anymore. Note... after 1994 GM downgraded its interiors quality on these vehicles interior .so this is rare and I love it.

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  Best Buy Ever! - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By boxkicker0586 - August 10 - 7:46 pm

  My Tahoe Has about 380,000 miles on it. The engine is still original and transmission has been replaced before I got it. It now has a Jasper transmission in it. I love everything about this truck. It runs so well and drives awesome. I really dont ever plan on getting rid of it. All I know is chevy built an amazing truck and there is not one flaw. Just keep up with all your maintenance and these trucks will last a very long time. I love my tahoe!

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  Brought back from the brink of death - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Beverly Noble - August 9 - 10:30 pm

  My husband to be and I bought this vehicle from my mother who did no maintenance on it whatsoever. We have literally rebuilt this car and it runs like a lean mean fighting machine with over 276,000 on it and we will go a full one million on it before we both die of old age. Chevrolet Cavs are built to take a licking and keep on ticking hopefully not like a bomb.

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  Good small suv - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By cayo - August 9 - 6:09 pm

  This car is a really good small suv. Driving it is very fun. It has a very good engine performance the 5speed trans make the ride feel very smooth. Even though some times the last gear takes a bit to long to kick in. Very Nice for long trips. Lots of space inside.

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  back in the day - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Dewey - August 9 - 2:23 pm

  only drawback that Ive had is seeing through the front windshield stopped at traffic lights looking up at light. other than that love the car as my 2nd car run around.

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  2009 Malibu 2LT 4 cyl - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Al Kraig - August 9 - 11:04 am

  Excellent Car. Rides and handles well. Fuel economy exceeds EPA estimates. It gets an honest 36 mpg on the open road and has an overall average (50/50 city/highway) of 29.5. It is exceedingly quiet from both road and wind noise. Minor gripes are: trunk opening size and no seat height adjustment on passenger seat. Prospective buyers for Camrys and Accords are well advised to drive the Malibu.

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  I love this car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jonothan P. Walker - August 9 - 7:26 am

  When I purchased this vehicle, I had an Avalanche Z71. Gas had just topped $3.19 per gallon and the truck was absorbing most of my disposable income. When I saw the HHR, I didnt know what to think. The price was reasonable. The truck was comfortable. The milage was supurb. Im a large person over six feet tall and 280. This car had pep and blew my mind when I first took it for a road trip. I had a full load of cargo and two people. This car hit passing gear at 85mph and left everything behind. The ride is smooth and quiet. I dont know what the critics may say, but in the last year, I have seen this car explode on the market. Lets have a lot of fun!

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  GREAT CAR! - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Starbreaker666 - August 8 - 3:46 am

  This car has met every expectation and demand I have placed on it and smiles back. I have been a pick-up driver most of my driving life. I just traded a great Dodge truck off for this one. I am getting 33 MPG on my highway trips. More then enough power to play around and get ones self in trouble with. The interior is simple and very functional. More then enough room for my 6 frame. I love this car.

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  Proud Bowtie Owner - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Proud Bowtie Owner! - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my TrailBlazer for about seven months. I absolutley LOVE MY TB! When I tell people how many horses the inline 6 has, they cant believe it. When it comes to handling, I think it is excellent considering its a SUV not a Corvette! The only SUV that I would consider buying after this one is the Avalanche. Thumbs up GM, you did good!

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  Love my car! - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Wikia - August 7 - 7:51 pm

  This is the first vehicle I have purchased on my own, and I am very happy with it. I wanted something simple, but my dealer located a car for me with the sports package, a lot of fun extras. I traded in my old Chevy Blazer for a more fuel efficient and safer car, and I am so glad I did. About a month and half after I purchased my car someone ran a red light and t-boned me. Both myself and my passenger were ok, and I credit that to my car. The time that my car was in the shop, I missed it. Before buying my car I test drove Hondas and Fords, but with this car you get a lot of "bang for your buck": power, safety, fuel efficiency, comfort, etc. I think I made a very smart (and safe!) choice.