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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  I love my Transformers Edition! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Angi - September 17 - 2:00 am

  I got Bumblebee for my 40th birthday. Yes my husband is amazing! It was a display car, they showed it in several places around Atlanta. I love love love this car! I am 411" and thought I wouldnt be comfortable in it, WRONG! It is amazing. I am used to seat belts being uncomfortable, so I have learned how to live with that. I have had more people stop me and tell me how awesome it is! It is fast and pretty comfortable to me. I have no regrets! I have seen the complaints about the paint, I have had no troubles. Saw the complaints about the leg room and trunk opening, it is not meant to be a family car! I love the reactions that I get from kids, they think it is the real Bumblebee!

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  Eight and a half years of good driving. - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By A.B. - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Yesterday I bid a fond farewell to a close friend after 8 1/2 years. I got my Cavalier in March 2002 as a high school graduation present from my grandmother. I have to say, the Cav did its job and then some. I went to college 3-4 hours away from home, and I now live a half hour away from where I now work, and have done the commute for 4 years now. The Cavalier was great on gas and kept me safe on one of the worst, most congested Interstates in the country. From an old man t-boning me after running a stop sign to skidding on ice on the Interstate, hitting a snow bank, and the only damage being a bent license plate, this cars toughness isnt to be underestimated. I loved the old gal!

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  i still love my car but.......... - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Wont buy another - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Electrical system had a gremlin in it, idiot lights went off for no reason. Occasionally the radio turns on inside the car while you unlock the doors without engine running. Hood latch replaced, auto start wouldnt work, trunk latch replaced, inside trunk button stopped working, trunk lock stuck so you cant open the trunk any of the 3 ways. Service couldnt fix. On my 2nd key fob now and the door unlock doesnt work so thats 2 out of 4 buttons that are useless. Fob is junk drop it a few times and the battery clip inside breaks off. In tank gas gauge is broken. Fill the tank, dash gauge say empty, gas tank low, dash gauge says full. Stirring column replaced. Dealer says it needs it again. Horn shorted

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  Great Riding All Purpose Truck - 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Scott - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I am a car nut and trade often..this is by far best riding truck I have owned. My wife has 07 Escalade ESV, my AV. has better ride and more comfortable front seats. In fact My AV. has almost identical options to the fully optioned Escalade including heated/cooled seats. I really like the blue tooth integrated with my cell phone. It automatically pairs with my cell when I enter truck, I make a call using voice recognition and cell still in my pocket and it will use cell unless there is no signal, then switches to "on-star" and gives me an option to complete the call. Love On- Star and the security it gives us. This vehicle is a "jack of all trades, with a great ride for two people.

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  Never again - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Christian - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Equinox brand new in 2006. Before hitting 20,000 the ignition switch went out and had an electrical problem. It still goes dead right after I crank it, but they say nothing is wrong with it. I have had 4 sets of brake pads in 6 weeks, other mechanical problems and it is in the shop right now as I type this for the 2nd time in 3 weeks for an "electrical" problem in the air conditioner. I like the cars look, but not all the problems it has come with. I would not recommend this car to anyone. It is the biggest piece of crap I have ever had. I am just waiting til the day I can trade it and not lose too much money.

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  Zippy - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By 4Ransom - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my HHR LT in August of 2010. When I saw it on the lot I didnt give it a 2nd look, but after test driving it, it was a fun car to drive. Ive had it about a month and have found it to be a roomy, zippy, fun car to drive. I never wouldve seen myself in an HHR, but I really like it.

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  love the idea - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By primerib - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I love what Chevy has done with the traditional mini van. The engine compartment actually has room to work on stuff. Interior is good, very usable. Could have a better layout. Runs well, no problems. Brakes were an early issue but dealer took care of all that. rear interior flexible plastic door handle broke from closing the door use. but no other failures

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  No more chevys for me - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By jjc_babs - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 2005 Impala used in 2006, with 20,000 miles. Since than I have had to replace the water heater, radiator, cost of 1300.00. Dealer did not volunteer any additional information about this issue. Since than my speedometer and RPM gauge cluster went out another 600.00. not to mention my traction issue that was another 700.00. Oh, and when they say they checked your fluids I think they just look at them because at my last oil change 2 months ago they never said I was low on anything. I found my coolant to be low.And I dont understand how they overlooked an interior light other than the miniscule lights built in the mirror I will never buy a Chevy again.

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  Decent SUV - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By chrismacwpg - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Overall I am fairly happy with the car. I put a fair number of miles on the car in a year and for the most part I have been please. A lot of maintenance though that has been covered under warranty. Strut arm bushings (twice) two wheel bearings and now it is in for a new timing chain. Parts seem to be a pain as the dealership cannot locate some for the new chain replacement which has translated into a 2 week period it is in the shop.

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  Nice Car, really!! 2.4 auto flexfuel - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By Dean - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought a rental car with 8200 miles. Fuel mileage is not terrific (18-21 on E85)(45 with my vw bug diesel), but well built, and handles well with proper tire inflation. Light switch has odd quirk (goes off when bright to dim and dim to bright for split second). Torque steer when accelerating is startling (hang on). I like the storage in the middle of the dash, but not a whole lot of storage around the driver is available. The small windshield takes a little getting used to. I wish the adjustment on the steering wheel was greater.This car would be great with a dash like a Peterbilt (straight dash with lots of gauges). Long trips are very nice, however more cupholders would be nice.