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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  Cupholders! - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By britt369 - December 18 - 11:57 pm

  I absolutely love this car, its great as a family vehicle BUT the cup holders are TERRIBLE! they are not deep enough for coffee mugs or say a large coffee from dunkin donuts. around sharp turns they spill and fall over every time!

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  Good economical & reliable ride - 1998 Chevrolet Metro
  By gr8tchr4u - December 18 - 12:19 pm

  I have had my 98 Chevy Metro, automatic transmission, for 12 years. Over the 12 years I have amassed over 180,000 miles. It has been an absolutely reliable, fuel efficient, and extremely durable used car. Aside from replacing the transmission and regular maintenance, I have had to do nothing major to this vehicle. The ride is not spectacular. There is a lot of road noise. It came with a standard AM/FM radio and manual windows and door locks. Quinn hit, the body damage can be extensive because its not solidly built. It crumbles like tinfoil.

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  2010 - 2011 Camaro - Front End Suspension Issues - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jtcamaro - December 18 - 7:31 am

  After a couple of months of owning the 2010 2SS RS Camaro, it started making very annoying front end noises, loud annoying clunking sounds when going over bumps or rivets in the pavement. The car now sounds like it is 10 years old. I have opened a case with GM but apparantly this is the case with MOST 2010 - 2011 Camaros and GM refuses to fix the issue at this time. If you visit this forum link you can see how many Camaro owners are having this issue. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2648682#post2648682 I have been dealing with this issue now for months and it gets me sick driving the car. Before you buy this car please see if GM came out with a resolution.

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  2.4L Automatic Review - 2011 Chevrolet HHR
  By elviejo2010 - December 14 - 12:41 pm

  Dont let the funky retro styling fool you, this is a very practical vehicle. We are empty-nesters who seldom have more than two people in the vehicle but haul a lot of stuff around with our hobbies and this is just the ticket. We have a 2.4L Auto with the 1Lt package and it has plenty of features. The high seats are good for us older types, the short doors make entry/exit easy in tight spots and the rear view camera is definitely recommended. Drives well, plenty of power at highway speeds, and quiet.

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  Great starter vehicle for a family! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By sunnysideup3 - December 14 - 11:07 am

  Purchased my 2006 Equinox used with low mileage and at a relatively decent price. We have had many vehicles in our lifetime and can definitely say it is the most reliable so far. With gas prices high in NY it makes for a more expensive daily commute. However, the expense of gas evens out when it comes to repairs and maintenance. If you take care of this vehicle it will be good to you. I believe you get out of a vehicle what you put into it. A smart buyer is an educated buyer. It is possible that if you buy from a reputable dealer- This Equinox will suit your family needs.

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  Great little car! - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By cakesa3 - December 14 - 12:49 am

  I drive a 2000 cavalier which has taken my sister through High school, and is now taking me through college. It is a great little car! It has only given minor problems which u can expect from any car. When we got the car, it was abandoned by its current owner. It did not run and it needed a new transmission, but my uncle who is a mechanic saved its life. :) I dont like to see people bash this car-or American makes period. No, its not the most comfortable car. But if thats what your wanting, then your going to pay more. This is a simple car-to get you from point A to B. If your looking for something more luxurious, GM does make the Cadillac. Now theres 116,000 miles and still running strong!

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  Nice Bang for the Buck! - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By s_pok - December 13 - 1:32 am

  Great, great car! Amazing performance for the dollar! Ive had it for over three months now and have not had any issues. Wish I could say the same for other Camaro owners and ex-owners. Ive been averaging a combined 19 mpg in the city and highway which is pretty good for such a big motor.

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  - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By aardvarkadillo - December 10 - 2:26 pm

  Chevy got the outward appearances right. The inside? Good, but not great. I bought this car in 2009 ("NEW"), and have put 15,001 miles on it. It now sits in my garage. Why? The steering problems are serious enough that the dealership has replaced the rack and pinion FOUR times. Yes, four times. My dealership has been great, in multiple efforts to cure the steering problems. The noise and feedback are so severe that theyve done everything under the hood they can-- hoses, filters, fittings, the MOTOR MOUNTS, and so on......... The dealer has tried calling GM engineers, and no solution has been found. What is the word for this??? Lime?

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  High School Sweetheart - 1990 Chevrolet Camaro
  By rpthorp - December 8 - 2:33 am

  I drove a dark red 1988 Iroc-Z in high school. It was the greatest present a man could give to his son. She was strong, fast, powerful, loud and impressive. The 5-speed was matched beautifully to that 5.0 liter. We had a 3.73 rear end with full time posi. She got off the line like no other. I never had any issues at all with her. I damn near cried when I sold her.

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  Good Camping Vehicle - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Anonymous - December 8 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this Blazer in 2008 (with 55,000 actual miles) to take camping and on long trips. I also own a 1999 Blazer two-door which was a trick to pack with tents, gazebos, coolers, and supplies for camping trips. This vehicle has tons of room for 2 of us and all our stuff. We looked at newer vehicles, and most of them do not hold nearly as much. The seats are not as comfortable as the 2-door, the ride is rougher, and it is a bit like a barge with respect to tight turns, but as a utility and camping vehicle - I have no major complaints.