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 SURPRISE OF A CAR !! - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By DENWIN - May 24 - 8:31 pm

  I am an old guy that loves cars. Just gave up a Oldsmobile Aurora for an HHR. Who does this? I needed some gas mileage but we vacation a good bit, being retired. This little bugger is amazing! It corners like it is on rails, is very comfortable to ride in, its cool cause you dont seem like an old guy! The 250 amp Pioneer 7 speaker stereo on XM Rocks! it has every feature my Aurora had except memory seats and ride leveler. I did buy the larger engine 2.4 which comes in the 2LT. I almost wish I would have gotten the Super Sport, but this engine is great.Go buy one--Im in Florida though---no more Ohio snow!

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  GREAT BANG FOR THE BUCK - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By JOHNC352 - May 24 - 1:46 pm

  I have had this car less than a week and I love it. Engine power is great and the handling is very tight.Very good brakes. the sound system is very good also. Things that I dont like. Small fuel tank, only 13 gal and the fuel economy isnt that great but I hope that it will better after being broke in. Chevrolet needs to redesign the interior. To much cheep looking plastic. Also after I got my car home I discovered that the underhood liner was missing! Now this car went through at least half a dozen quality control people plus the dealership new car PDI and no one caught it! How the dealership handles this problem is yet to be seen.

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  Maxx is the maxx - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By sam2982 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  The new Malibu Maxx is innovative and performs great. It offers a smooth ride with all the bells and whistles. Great car for the price.

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  Cant beat this price! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By yortch - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Compared to its competitors (Civic, Corolla, etc.), this car beats them in price (10.7K), engine (2.2L), and size (180 in. lenght). The design is a bit outdated, and I believe this car will soon be replaced by the Cobalt, but I know I cant a get an equivalent new car for this price!

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  Great Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rebecca young - May 24 - 10:00 am

  The all new malibus are great cars, fun, to drive, and very sleek!

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  truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By es89+4 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  its cool and sleek and very cool to drive it is like a rock

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  It "aint" my old farm truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By imbid - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Stylish, comfortable and fun to drive. This truck is fully equipped with all the bells and whistles including on star and XM radio. Comfort is high on my priority list. The interior space is very comfortable and roomy, including the seats and with the Driver Convience package, every thing is easy to reach. The 5.3 leaves a little to be desired on the getaway and the breaks are a little to firm to the touch and stopping the truck takes a little getting used to. Over all, it is the best truck of its class that I have ever owned, and I have driven pickups for more than 45 years.

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  have owned many cars..this is the best - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jeremy8 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I have owned several Corvettes 1974, 1975, 1979 and 1985. A Mercedes 450, Lincoln Mark V111, Cadillac Seville, a Mercedes 320, an Accura Legend. I have to say that this is the most fun, well put otgether vehicle of all of them. It is sexy, fast and solid and I highly recommend the car...though not the dealership.

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  Reasons to buy from a local dealership.. - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By kevjalittell - May 24 - 10:00 am

  108k miles and only required maint. 2 recalls handled by dealership with a loaner... Then Boys and girls at Ginn rock! 1 deer assasinated by wife late last year and repairs were less then expected. Truck is still sharp, solid and rattle free. Interior comfort good for all day and all nighters. Rear windows whistle if air is on MAX but not enough to annoy or get fixed. I love my truck

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  Want fun get an Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By buryl - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Have nothing but good things to say about the Impala. We got the sedan but it came with the Corvette taillamp applique and spoiler. Also, the cd/cass/xm stereo. Had everything we wanted and we are enjoying it greatly.