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:

• 

  Great car - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By funbus - August 15 - 8:54 pm

  Got the LT model, couldnt be happier. Its a nice family sedan, nice sound system and quiet smooth ride. What else could you ask for. Getting about 26 mpg in mixed driving.

• 

  Great ride - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By hhr love it - August 15 - 7:49 pm

  bought it new 59 miles we drove it to Fla 5 times Texas 4 times it now has 129,000 miles not the first problem none change oil and tires and it gets 38 mpg its a 5 speed manual shift we cruise 70-60 mpg on the interstate will buy another when its time so far not the time

• 

  Best car on the road but more - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By B - August 15 - 3:18 pm

  I love this car it is my dream car. Ever since I saw it in the previews for Transformers. Once I got my own it was amazing the looks you get the feel it gives you. I want to add to it but it s got everything so I wouldnt know where to start.I like the way it handle but I still havent used the manual shifters on the steering wheel. My only problem is the handling on turns. But it may be my lead foot.

• 

  2010 Turbo Problems - 2010 Chevrolet HHR
  By Nick - August 15 - 11:35 am

  I have had 5 HHRs since 2006 (love the car), two turbos out of the 5. Never had a problem with any (not even a water leak or radio problem)except for this 2010. A piece of tubing connected to the turbo holds 20 pounds of pressure and was made out of plastic that failed. The Chevy dealer cannot find the part nationwide even with GM help. My question is what about contacting the assembly plant for a part or have one fabricated? Dealer stated GM will not let them fabricate a part, so I have been without my 600 mile 2010 car for over a week. The only thing Ford, GM or others understand is a lawyer. Did get a loaner car after 5 days with GM help.

• 

  2010 LTZ - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By Norman & Ann Marie - August 15 - 10:10 am

  Great car, esp. for the price. LTZ version worth the extra expense. Car looks like more expensive Lexus, etc.. OnStar very useful, but could use a map screen. OnStar saved us when we were locked out of car. Car is unfairly and negatively reviewed by Consumer Reports, perhaps on basis of cheaper LS or LT versions.

• 

  stuck in park - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By liz williams - August 15 - 10:08 am

  It angers me that other people are having the stuck in park problem. They know there is a problem going on. I also have a bad rotor, need new tires, I bought this with 20,000 on it, have driven it for 7000 miles, its dead in the church parking lot, wont shift. Thought with only 20,000 miles on it it would be like new.

• 

  impressed - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Bob - August 15 - 6:40 am

  This is my first new car. I really enjoy it. I think that the fuel economy as provided by EPA is correct if you choose the 4 cyl and lowest HP. It depends how you drive mostly but on a straight highway and 65 mph you can get even better than 33 mpg. Recommendation to the other drivers: USE CRUISE CONTROL to get the best mileage !

• 

  Hard Seats - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Martine - August 14 - 10:15 pm

  I love everything about the Tahoe, except the seats. I am really disappointed with the quality. The seats are flat and hard. I regret our purchase. I dont know how I overlooked this in the "15 minute" test drive. We downsized from a suburban to a Tahoe. I really thought the lack of cargo space would be the problem, but have adjusted. We have plenty of room with third row seats folded up. Still have the option of removing them for even more space. We bought our Tahoe one day and left the next morning for a 12 hour road trip. Arrived at our destination with back and leg pain. This was a yearly road trip weve taken for last 20 yrs. Sadly, it was the most uncomfortable trip ever.

• 

  We only kept it 2 months - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Park - August 14 - 7:52 pm

  I truly hated the Equinox. Fuel door was on the wrong side (right side of the vehicle), could not get in without bumping head. It darted when being driven and driver had no involvement. Could not recommend this vehicle. We returned after two months and four days. Was very pleased to get rid of it. Went and bought a Honda CR-V the same day and are very pleased. I sure hurt to lose $4,500 and 11 days after the purchase Chevy started a program, if you dont like the vehicle in 90 days you could return it for a full refund.

• 

  One of The Best - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Tom Jakubowski - August 14 - 6:53 pm

  Best vehicle I have ever owned. Get 15 mpg city and 21 mph highway since the day I bought it. Other than ordinary maintenance, I have spent only $210 on it in 6 years.