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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  my truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jim parranto - January 5 - 10:00 am

  Very easy to drive.

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  Malibu 2LT w/3.6L - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By D. Guidry - January 4 - 12:54 pm

  Great car, I love driving it, quite and smooth. I have a 2LT w/3.6L, 18" wheels. This car has a lot of power and can really go fast. The interior is beautiful with the lighted door handles, easy to read dash, superior design, comfortable leather seats. I checked out and drove the Camry and the Impala before buying the Malibu and the others did not even come close.

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  Impressive Tank - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By buckytse - January 4 - 1:59 am

  I am very glad I bought the SS. It drives great. I have, however, noticed a fair amount of torque steer (basically, I have renamed the gas pedal the "lane changer"). I had a few minor issues with the computer that all boiled down to a bad gas cap problem solved easily. The jury is still out on the tire pressure sensors. Interior is a kinda small for a full size, but it has all the room I need for myself, my wife (and her walker) the three kids and two hockey bags. I was very dissapointed with GMs little trick of wanting $650 to "activate" the radio (with a computer click) for XM recption which is already built in. I guess CDs it is. Fuel economy is better than expected. AVG 22.5.

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  Detroits Little Muscle - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Michael - January 3 - 9:04 pm

  I bought this car for my wife after trading in on a 2001 GMC Jimmy. Havent had a whole lot of problems with the car. There were at times that it seemed to run rather hot, but the dealershp mechanics stated that running up over 235+ degrees is common. As long as the light doesnt come on and the vehicle doesnt run sluggish it perfectly OK. Also at around the same time the vehicle tended to want to stall out especially at sudden stops. But after a needed oil change and running the 93 octane with an octane booster/ injector cleaner it went away. The 148hp motor is very responsive and doesnt hesitate to peel the tires from a dead stop. I find it fun to drive when the wife lets me

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  Definetely a summer car. - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Kellie Schaefer - January 3 - 2:58 pm

  HHR is definetely a summer car not a winter car. Ice gets between the bottom of lower front fender and door and freezes up preventing us from getting in and out of car. Outside of that it has been a great car, my average MPG is 27.

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  Good basic transportation - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Gabbie - January 3 - 1:55 pm

  Im graduating from a 2002 Subaru Outback. I needed AWD and the ability to fit 3 car seats across the back seat. The 2005 Equinox with cloth seats fits the bill. The back seat is cavernous and really easy for the kids to get in and out of their seats (Graco SnugRide, Radian 80, Graco Nautilus). The AWD is great, much superior to the FWD I was renting. I like the higher ride as compared to a car. I like the suspension as compared to a truck chassis like a Trail Blazer. The interior is cheap and basic, but I dont care about any of that and didnt want to pay up for it. The price is hard to beat. All in, this is just what I was looking for.

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  An American Option - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By yellowroseoftexas - January 1 - 10:34 pm

  It took some getting used to but the car is very comfortable, performs as well as to be expected for an SUV. Braking is not as tight at my previous car and the air conditioning is not as cold. I like being able to sit high. The radio XM is great sound and the memory is a definite highlight. But the most impressive is the reminders of fuel and oil changes(super).

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  OK After One Year - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Satisfiedowner - January 1 - 11:10 am

  If money were no object, some relatively minor improvments would make the Aveo a contender. So, for the price paid ($10,400 brand new off the lot!), this car was a fantastic deal. Since new, and now with 11,000 miles, only two minor problems: a tire pressure sensor went on one wheel. No biggie. This was repaired by the dealer with no issues. Developed a front-end shudder due to improper lug torque on both front wheels. Again, an easy fix. Design and build quality is excellent. Seams are even and tight. Not a squeak or rattle has developed. Motor remains perky and trouble-free (easy starts, no stalls). There is a buzz in the gas pedal over 60 mph, but have learned to deal with it.

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  Great Truck - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Jake - December 31 - 3:14 pm

  I bought this truck in 2008, for a little over 2000 dollars. It needed an egr valve that is relativly inexpensive to fix, and since I have had no problems and it has been very reliable and effecient. I drive in mostly backroads and almost no highway driving situations and it only cost about 20 bucks to fill each week, I would definitley reccommend this truck to anyone. It also has a great 4x4 stystem. I have driven with it in 6 inches of snow and have pulled a few Toyotas out of ditches in the rain and ice and I have no complaints on its power or ability.

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  Enjoy Driving It! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By riderblues - December 31 - 12:19 pm

  It is a fun car to drive around town or the interstate. I perfer interstate driving. Easy to drive, switching lanes passing another vehicle goes very smoothly. Very east to park not to be of a car, but will hold alot of stuff with the back seat laying flat.