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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  Problems Chevy Fixed - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By HHR SURF CITY - July 30 - 9:45 pm

  My HHR has had a few problems that I see other buyers have so I thought I would share them. The wet floor board when it rains is caused from a defective installation of a deflector shield under the hood. Mine just all the sudden started leaking & when I took it to Chevy they told me it was a recall & mine just fell off the car. Experienced the cant get the car out of park & cant get the key out of the ignition both of these are caused from the electronic key needing to be re-programed. Mine is equipped with the volume feature that automatically turns the radio up and down with road noise.I would be driving at 70 miles an hour & it would turn it down all the down. They fixed it. How?

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  Aveo Is A Suprise - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Kajunman - July 30 - 8:06 pm

  I had to purchase a vehicle for work that didnt leave me nothing in the bank. I drive all day, and love this car. If you want bang for buck this is the car. Not only practical, but suprisingly all around good vehicle. It is fun to drive and has some zip to it. The best head room for a small car. Great MPGs, Good looking car, Fun to drive. Highly recomend checking it out. I chose this vehicle over Honda, Toyota, or Ford. Test drove them all.

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  02 Chevy - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Karen - July 30 - 12:40 pm

  I bought the car brand new and was very reliable until I hit around 40k. Now it stalls out every other day and I have had to fix the engine almost three times. All kinds of creaks and rattles that are very annoying while driving in the car.

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  Disappointing SS - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By mojo - July 29 - 9:24 pm

  This car has all the horsepower and torque that Chevy boasts plus some. However, Im severely disappointed in the multiple problems Ive had with this car including the rack and pinion being replaced twice, steering shaft replacement, tire monitor problems and excessive oil consumption between oil changes. In my opinion, Chevy should have made this a rear wheel drive car. Being front wheel drive, it has too much torque steer. Also the brakes feel inadequate for the size and power of the car. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone. As soon as I can, I will trade it in for something other than Chevy.

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  Good Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By bob - July 28 - 7:22 pm

  Ive done 13500 miles in this truck since new without any problems. It runs really free and has high gearing. The ride is smooth and handling and brakes are great. I can get 26 mpg if I drive easy. Id recommend it!

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  Above average Below expensive - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By t - July 28 - 3:36 pm

  I enjoy driving the vehicle notwithdstanding the lack of features, cheap emergency brake release (which comes off), the fact that none of the seats adjust, or that my starter is already experiencing turn over problems. I had to take it in to have the squirrel cage on the a/c replaced, (original one squealed when on), but the fuel economy is good for a truck, and it is very fun to drive Sporty in one word. Definetly for a younger driver looking to save on insurance and gas, but doesnt mind working out the bugs with the dealership. OnStar is great as well. An all around good buy. Delivers power when demanded. I would have enjoyed a more rugged interior and at least an adjustable driver seat.

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  Get one! - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By okieradio - July 28 - 9:10 am

  Got my 2008 Colorado last September. Driven 12000 miles. Gas mileage runs 20- 22 in town. Roomy cab, and back seat leg room is adequate for its size. Why the Colorado and not the Silverado? I dont pull anything, and only haul lighter cargo- plus I like the extra room in my garage. I do haul my scooter, and Ive carried a bed full of pavers plus three adults with the A/C on and the little 4-cyl powered us right down the road. Engine torques up real quick. Passing on the highway winds it up a little more than I like, but it gets moving right away.

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  My sons first car -- Im not crazy - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Hawaiidad - July 28 - 2:16 am

  I bought it for my 17 year old, he loves it, his friends think I rock. They all drive foreign econoboxes or moms hand-me-down. He now loves classic American sports cars. V6/auto, 29mpg, and insurance only went up $31/month. I had to replace water pump ($47) and front turn signal lens after shopping cart hit it -- parts easy and cheap online. What other 10-year old car can you buy for a teenager that he wouldnt trade for anything except a Vette?

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  my cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ladymystikal79 - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I GOT A CAVALIER BECAUSE THEY LOOK GOOD AND THE PRICE IS NICE..WHAT I DIDNT KNOW WAS THEY HAVE HIGH INSURANCE AND IF U HIT SOMETHING (A DEER) U USUALLY TOTAL IT....BUT MY CAR RUNS REALLY GOOD AND HANDELS REALLY NICE JUST BE CAREFULL!!

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  great vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sandy martin - July 28 - 2:00 am

  drives like a car, ample power, great in the snow