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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  Love the Chevy HHR - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Frank - August 13 - 3:33 pm

  Shopped the PT Cruiser, Jeep Compass, etc. but this HHR was the obvious choice. Very fun car to drive. Gets double-takes out on the highway. Stick shift is fun to drive and has neat old style chrome shifter. Getting 30 to 34 mpg on the highway. Will carry 5 people comfortably or a bunch of cargo with seats folded down, up to 8 long. Very quiet and comfortable while driving. Lots of storage areas, although map pockets in door are not big enough. Base stereo is OK. Has features you would not expect for such an inexpensive car - cruise control, power windows, power programmable door locks (they lock and unlock automatically) , A/C, electromagnetic power steering, keyless entry and alarm, etc.

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  I cant believe I can afford this! 10/10 - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By nate6966 - August 12 - 3:56 am

  Awesome car! I never thought Id be able to own a luxury performance sedan, but this car is unbelievable! I know its not in the same class as a Mercedes AMG, but for the price (I got mine for $26,700 w/sunroof!) you cannot find a better combination of performance, luxury, and space! The leather seats cradle you like youre the most important person on earth. The cabin noise is so quiet you can use your inside voices at 75 mph on crummy northwest interstates. The premium audio system (8 speakers) successfully competes with Bose systems. I am truly impressed with this vehicle and all of the frills that GM includes (OnStar, roadside assistance, warranties, etc.) Im 100% satisfied and happy!

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  they dont build em like they use to - 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Tom G - August 12 - 2:52 am

  I actually have the 2500hd Duramax LTZ (not one of the choices) and with about 2K miles. I drive some dusty roads and like having a camper shell to normally keep things dry and clean, but the bed has so many holes that dust comes into the bed in buckets. My previous 2006 chevy 1500 had a solid bed that I could sleep in the bed, not this truck. They have left big gaps around the tailgate that water and dirt comes and I have tried to add gaskets to seal up gaps but nothing really works. The truck drives ok but the recommended tire pressure at 75psi rear has the back end dancing on every bump. I lower the tire pressure when not hauling, and it helps, but the tire pressure sensor goes off. The seats are much stiffer that my 06 due to the heat/cooling function but I rarely use that function. Lots of AC, DC, USB connections which are handy and the except for the almost useless Navigation system most of the electronics features are good. The lane departure feature is nice as is the backup camera. The body is just not that well built if one uses the truck for other than a city commuter.

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  Best buy for the money - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rich - August 12 - 2:33 am

  This car drives like a luxury automobile for less than half the price. The standard features of the LTZ model (e.g. side air bags, plush leather seating, premium stereo system, etc.)make this car a real bargain. These features were all optional and expensive on all the foriegn cars that I looked at. The ride and mileage were extra bonuses. I receive 26.5 mpg at an average speed of less than 38 mph. I would encourage everyone looking for a new car to take the time and compare the price and ride with any other model in its class. The controls are very easy to use and program.

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  False advertising re mileage - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By james e. nicholson - August 12 - 12:23 am

  The hype about the engine dropping out 4 cylinders to conserve fuel clearly suggests to the buyer that the shift would occur when the car reached highyway crusing speed. In fact, it only reduces to 4 cylinders when one lets up on the accelerator. Therefore, in a 500 mile trip, the car gives you the last 50 yards(as you stop )in the 4 cylinder mode

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  1st Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Joanne - August 11 - 6:26 pm

  Great SUV. After driving Jeep Grand Cherokee, didnt think another SUV could be as dependable. I was wrong... living in New England, this SUV has been wonderful. Smooth ride, recommend Equinox to anyone looking to purchase a SUV.

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  White Z71 - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By chxtwo - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I love my Z71 Tahoe. I think the summit white is an eye catcher color. It provides a very comfortable ride for everyone. Its easy to clean....It does very well in the snow. I cannot complain about anything so far except for maybe the gas mileage, but the ride is worth it!

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  Forget the 2003 Tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Falige - August 11 - 2:00 am

  We purchased the 2003 Tahoe LT in October of 2002. It is now March 2003 and the truck has had to be repaired TWICE!!!!!!!!!! AND to top it off we have to take it back to have a part put in it that had to be ordered. I am totally disgusted after spending that much money for something that is UNRELIABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Better than the RAM - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By gencour - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1967 RAM 1500 LTD 4WD prior to the 2000 Silverado. The RAM had two breakdowns in the 2nd year. A fuel pump and battery. When I shopped the 2000 mofdel year the RAM could not be gotten with heated seats and electric seat adjustment on both front seats. The Chevy could. I find the Chevy to more "car" like in comfort and driving. Also the lrger engine is more peppy and seems to do better on mioleage. I find the Chevy to be put togrthrr better in the fine details. Ill take teh Chevy in 2004 also.

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  Like a Rock - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By C-Silver - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Purchase in January 2003 - 4dr Ext Cab 4wd LS - SB 5.3L. Overall I am enjoying my second Chevy truck. If you are thinking about purchasing this truck "PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF IT WILL FIT IN THE GARAGE". GM could make the best truck sold in the U.S. if it would improve the little things that annoy its customers. I