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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  05 Maxx - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Canuck44 - April 15 - 1:23 am

  I have 140,000km on mine and have had a few problems, I have done the front brakes twice and they need it again, the rear hatch light went on the fritz and started blowing fuses, the intermediate steering shaft needed to be relubed (clunking in corners), the DVD player doesnt play 1/2 of the DVDs out there, the rear wiper stripped and now the rear seat belts detach when I tension the seat belt when installing child seats. I use the UAS instead and am going to install a new one to see if it is any better. Other than that the car has been pretty good, good combination of power and mileage.

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  Not fun to drive! - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By wassell - April 14 - 8:48 pm

  If you want a truck that rides n feels like a Cadillac and tows like a champ(nothing more) buy a silverado. Ive had my truck for a year and love it for road trips and towing. Aside from that...yawn. If you want a truck that will JUMP when you hit the gas, get sideways on demand, and still tow when needed buy a Nissan! Sincerely, sad silverado owner

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  Nice truck from GM - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By chen - April 14 - 3:43 am

  before i bought this truck i test drive a new tundra and the tundra is very bumpy, but this Silverado rides smooth and i cant even hear the wind on the window. i love the leather design and the smooth ride of this truck. But there is always a problem to very single vehicle out there. i just have my power door lock and power rear view mirror (passenger side) fixed. and one time all of my interior lights and speedometer, mile indicator, and all gauges just shut-off by themselves while i was still driving. But they came back up in the morning when i went to work and no problem ever since.

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  My Silverado - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By mike mullins - April 13 - 7:06 pm

  110% do it all truck no matter weather or conditions, small load or large, with no worries. All around truck. Comfort. Hard worker. If you want a gentle beast, why would anyone throw away their money on any other?

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  2006 HHR Review - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Tim - April 13 - 5:46 pm

  Although I like the overall looks and performance of my HHR, I am totally disappointed with the various electrical issues I had to put up with during the cold weather months this past winter. Issues with HVAC lights blinking on and off, battery going dead three different times for no reason, rear wiper motor have to be replaced for intermittent operation,windows that freeze and will not open after car has been warmed up for 45 minutes and last but not the very leaset, snow and ice build up at the front door which rubs the paint when opening the door. With all this said, I plan on replacing this car after driving for just 10,000 miles and I was a loyal GM owner for over 30 years.

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  My 2 Toned HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By cj krause - April 13 - 5:13 pm

  I love it, hauls a load. Quick, fun to drive, handles curves, turns 180s in a tight radius. Great gas mileage, unreal looks and the ability to customize and make it one of a kind is why I bought it. On the highway I can go over 450 miles before fill up, around town over 350 miles. Nice 16 gal tank and hard to get over 14.5 gal in it on a fill up. Very quiet, too easy to go fast and probably one of the best starter family vehicles on the market. I have customized mine and have won 2- 2nd place and 3 first place trophies in 6 car shows.

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  STONES REVIEW - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By ROYSTONENAPA - April 13 - 10:00 am

  i hAVE A 2001 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 LT 4WD CREW CAB SHORT BED, I LOVE IT I PUT A 8in LIFT ON THE FRONT AND A 6in LIFT ON THE BACK. I WANT TO BUY A NEW ONE IN OCT.

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  Outstanding value - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By John J D - April 13 - 10:00 am

  The new Equinox is spacious for its class and relatively inexpensive. Interior space is excellent. The engine is responsive. Its ride is firm and comfortable. Front seats offer excellent support. Three average size adults fit in the back easily. Rear storage is ample. The sound system, including XM satellite radio, is good but there are too many controls. The window controls only on the center console take getting used to. However, a good place to have them if you have young children. Overall, at under $30,000 fully loaded, this is an outstanding value.

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  Equinox is Great - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By kathyjoe - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Had to wait 10 weeks from order to delivery. WAIT WAS WORTH EVERY DAY. Styling of exterior is outstanding. Stereo system remind me of the reverberation units of the early 60s which makes it sound great without getting the premium system. Gas mileage averaged 24.6mpg on our most recent trip. With the window and front deflector accessories added, my wifes friends tell her it looks sassy (GOOD).Worth every penny.

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  Great Investment - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Allycat23 - April 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Equinox for exactly 1 month and I love it. It gets great gas mileage, its easy to drive, the steering is comfortable. The XM Satellite radio is fabulous. The interior, while some products could stand to be a bit higher in quality is all in all an excellent design, futuristic, comfortable and sleek and stylish. The exterior of the car adds to its appeal and I get nothing but compliments on it. The AC works great, and especially now since its near 100 outside. The driver seat offers comfort and 6 way adjustments. The dash is easy to read, and it has ample cargo in the rear. Lighting is great, and added features like autohead lights.