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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  Never owned a chevy - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Woodboat - July 8 - 2:55 pm

  I have always owned Dodges or Fords. Never liked Chevys. I test drove every vehicle made in this class. This had the best ride, best fuel mileage,, smoothest operation, and best price. With factory incentives the car cost $12,100. I was very objective and simply couldnt pass up this great car. I liked the size of some others like the Scion XB but the ride was harsh and jiggly, gas pedal operation was abrupt. The Chevy is way easier to drive. We have them in our fleet at work and the mechanics say they are the most reliable cars we have ever owned.

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  My First New Car - 1998 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 98Roadster - July 8 - 1:15 pm

  Ive owned 10 cars and this was my first new car. Shes got 115,000 miles now and all Ive replaced is a starter, spark plugs and wires, and an alternator. Its been a great car and is really fun. Its kept in the garage so it still looks almost brand new. Ill probably trade it in for a new 2009 Camaro just as I did the 1988 IROC is used as a trade in for this Camaro.

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  I love it. - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By JME - July 8 - 9:45 am

  I love this car. I get 29 mpg. I do a lot of highway driving and when the windows are closed it seems like its sound proof. I could use a little more light, being that the windows are tinted and small it doesnt flood the vehicle with light. The one thing I do hate is that the cup holders are between the seats and the power window buttons are next to the shifter on the floor. I have actually been thinking about an upgrade to a 08.

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  No Worries - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Whyte - July 7 - 11:33 pm

  I havent had any problems from my 02 Xtreme extended cab. the zq8 suspension is amazing and the engine pushes a lot of power to this truck. Ive raced Mustangs and had them eating my dust. The gas mileage was bad until I put a throttle body spacer on it, which added about 4mpg and will pay for itself in no time. The truck is great and I have no problems with it, I love it to death. The only work Ive had to put in it was my own on the engine, with a throttle body spacer, straight pipe dual exhaust kit, and spectre air intake system, and havent had to spend any money on repairs, but I am the 2nd owner and the previous owner may have had work done.

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  True sports coupe (Z06) - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Z06 owner - July 7 - 7:26 pm

  I purchased my first Vette ever(Red 2008 Z06). I traded a 07 BMW 335i (I miss it by the way). The Z06 feels very fast and safe. Ggreat handling, great brakes, fat tires, low to the ground, super wide, etc. The looks of this car is just unbelievable. The regular Vette looks so plain and simple compared to the fat fender z06. This car is a real challenge for Ferrari, Porsches, Lamborghinis, you name it. This car screams on the highway, the sound of the engine is spectacular. It makes you want to go to the garage and just start up the car so that you can hear the engine. This car is a perfect sport coupe with a huge trunk (best on its class)

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  Great Plus Size SUV - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By JB - July 7 - 12:56 pm

  We upgraded to the leather interior because the cloth interior was less comfortable and did not look like it would last long. There is lots of room in this SUV. We are getting 25 mpg plus right off the show room floor, that includes a 50-50 mix of city and highway driving. There is very little road noise on the inside while driving. Vehicle handles well and has more than enough power with 6 cylinder engine. The report of the cup holders is accurate, they are pretty chintzy. The lever for the steering wheel adjustment is also more difficult to operate while driving. Wish the rear hatch had an automatic open with the key chain, the gas cap door had a lock.

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  Its Alright - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Timon - July 6 - 8:11 pm

  At first glance this car caught my attention. Sporty inexpensive and fuel economic! This car drives smooth. Power is OK. Exterior is OK as well but overall this car was a great purchase. And yes the cup holders were a bad idea!

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  Better than some say - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By connin - July 6 - 7:55 pm

  I bought a 2005 Chevy Cobalt SS supercharged and so far I think it is a good car. I have fun driving it. There is a lot of power up dates that you can buy for them, and it gets better gas mileage than my last car. More power than Cooper

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  Pretty Cool - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Cynt - July 6 - 6:25 pm

  Before I got this car I had a 2000 Chevy Prism that was amazing. So to compare the two has its ups and downs. The Prism got way better gas mileage. With the Cobalt it probably get about 25-29 MPG where before I was getting at least 35MPG. Its really stylish and I love the MP3 jack. Getting on the highway is great because it doesnt take long to get up to speed. I didnt get power locks or window and thats the biggest regret. It stinks to have to reach over and unlock doors and manually roll down windows. Wish the radio would crank up a little louder also. I love the digital display for the information center. However I wish OnStar and ABS was a standard. Overall pretty good and fun to drive!!

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  Good Car - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dana Ripley - July 6 - 1:52 pm

  I thought someone should write a review that was not based on an immediate car malfunction situation. I have had this 01 Impala with 3.4 for almost three years. I have put 70,000 miles on it. The intake manifold gaskets had to be replaced at about 65,000 $600 (a well known problem by now), the coolant level sensor has gone twice at $55 each, it had the steering shaft issue under warranty and that is it. I have not had to change the plugs yet at 101,000, nor a single light bulb, no oil usage, factory tires went 95,000 miles and the gas mileage is excellent (22C -34 R). I drive it on the interstate a lot. It makes me money at the standard IRS reimbursement rate. I would buy another.