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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  Great 4 the money - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jay Agulia - August 19 - 7:24 pm

  We bought this wagon used with 38k traded a pt cruiser. Our 06hhr lt2 2.4 L has plenty of go, has all options ht. Lthr., 6 in dash cd. Sat. Pioneer radio, onstar, frt.&rear air bags. Only missing running boards. Wish we had them, the paint@ the rear doors is coming off with out them. My wife is the primary driver she travels a lot with this wagon. Carries all her stuff and room for 3 more passengers. Shes very happy. Goes through brakes. R&r frt. Links. Ghost problem with park switch, cant remove key. Suggest extended warranty, if buying used. We did has paid for it self. P. S. Electric power steering went too, also likes to go through tires too soon, must rotate often, about 10k. Now has just over 80k.

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  little big car - 2010 Chevrolet Aveo
  By nxcguy - August 19 - 1:47 pm

  This little car feels way bigger inside than out. Em always joking to my wife how small it is (its hers but i drive it sometimes). once inside i feel as if im in a normal size sedan, and i drive a minivan so i really thought it would feel like a go cart. anyone complaining about the peppiness or speed is of there rocker i dont know what people want a rocket.

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  Satisfied - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By Mike - August 19 - 1:41 pm

  Purchased vehicle as a rental return. I need AWD because I sell property in the mountains and occasionally go off road. Clients are always comfortable. Currently has 180K miles, mostly reliable, minimal repairs have been needed. Gas mileage in the mountains averages 13-14 MPG. 18-20 MPG on the road.

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  Love my Tahoe - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Parveen - August 19 - 9:19 am

  Owned an 06 v6 sport 4runner. What junk! Owned a Honda pilot. Could count every piece of plastic from its noise due to road bumps. First time bought a domestic brand. And I am very happy with it. Have driven about 6 times between Chicago and Virginia with in 6 months and (call me crazy) but nothing comes close to it in terms of comfort. 20" wheels and smooth suspension hardly let me feel any bump. I have 8500 miles in 5 months. I enjoy driving it so much. Smooth engine and very less road noise. Has awesome features. Gives me advertised mileage which Toyota and Honda always fell short of doing.

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  Finaly - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dogs love trucks. - August 18 - 9:56 pm

  I traded my Harley in for a truck. Hey cant ride a bike in the snow. I love the way this truck rides. I used to have a Cadillac and this feels much like it. All the interior options really make this truck feel like a high end luxury vehicle. I find it has almost all the features that my wifes brand new 2010 mazda 3 has but three times the space and 4x4 too boot. That said this thing eats gas like a fat kid eats cake. And I dont get the plastic cladding on a 4x4. To me this is asking for trouble. However, That said I do love this truck and would recommend one to a friend. But one without cladding and maybe a newer one that gets better mpg.

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  Too Many Problems - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By JesusisLord - August 18 - 4:03 pm

  This van has too many issues. We had to disconnect the electric side doors because the alarm would ding even when the doors were shut. Lights flicker and A/C goes down when you let off the gas pedal. Tires have to be replaced every year to year and 1/2 even with alignment and rotation done. Seats stain badly. Rotors warp frequently. ABS light comes on frequently. Gas sensor does not work properly. It says it is empty every time I fill up and the service engine light comes on until I travel around 100 miles or so and it starts working and the light goes off. Seats and dash are cracking. Radio doesnt work sometimes. I would not buy it again.

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  V8 power - 2010 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Tom - August 18 - 10:36 am

  Love the looks, interior is very comfortable, mileage isnt bad for a v8 with 4WD. Especially like the V8 power. Have had no problems at all in this first year of ownership.

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  V-8 power and great styling - 2010 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Tom - August 18 - 10:18 am

  Bought new Aug. 09 with V8 and 4WD. Ive had more compliments on this vehicle than on any Ive ever owned. V8 power is great and mileage isnt bad.Very comfortable to drive, my ONLY complaint in over a year of ownership is interior wind noise at highway speeds. Ive had no problems at all so far.

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  Awful car! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Brad - August 18 - 9:39 am

  I bought my HHR used from a local dealership, which was my first mistake. The car, had front struts replaced twice, had to buy new tires for the front, strut mounts replaced, and a bunch of other parts, so Ive been told, all before 40K. Had all the work done at the Chevy Dealership and its still not right. Rides rough, front end shakes, annoying rattling noise never goes away, and now the rear end is starting to make knocking noises. Also, when I stop it has started acting like it wants to shut off, was told nothing was wrong, of course. I regret ever looking at this car. After 7 visits to the dealership in just over 2 years this car is still a piece of junk! Will never buy GM again.

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  Overall good car - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By PLG - August 17 - 11:24 pm

  I purchased a 2009 Chevy Malibu LT 2.4l 4cyl. Ive only had it for a week and never thought id own an American car but so far im happy and impressed. Its a really sharp looking car with a comfy and stylish interior much better then the Camry or Accord. The engine has a great set up stuff is easy to access, Im getting about 20 mpg city 29 hwy, its quick not like my Subaru but good enough. The sport paddle shifters make it a bit more fun. It rides really smooth, it has a sportier suspension then the Camry which was big for me. The interior is a BIG improvement. Its very comfy, easy to clean, a lot of rear legroom, lots of cup holders and storage spaces. Overall its great car and would recommend