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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  Exceptional vehicle - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By richardson - December 2 - 9:44 am

  This is the third Corvette and the best one I have owned. This vehicle is not only fun to drive, very quite, easy riding. Is new red color with LT3 package. The seats are very comfortable, interior has been enhanced. The tire noise has been reduced. Mileage is great and car is still breaking in. Would buy another Corvette.

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  2010 Silverado HD - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Rob - December 2 - 2:53 am

  I love the truck just not the mileage. I am looking into buying an Edge Programmer and some K&N induction to try and help it.

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  So far so good! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Josh R - December 1 - 11:05 pm

  Car has just passed 120,000 miles. I commute long distance with my job so this car has received a lot of highway miles. MPG is ok (upper 20s, lower 30s). Drives quiet and smooth. Great road handling. I am 6 tall with a husky build and I can get in and out very well, backseat not so well. Have only had to replace a PCV valve cover (out of warranty) and a cracked thermostat housing (In warranty) and the required recalls. Hoping I can get a few more miles out of it.

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  Chevy HHR fun to drive - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By Harold Rutherford - December 1 - 5:19 pm

  I traded my 2002 GMC 2500 Savannah van that averaged 13 to 14 MPG at its best. I do estimates for my business and wanted something with better mileage. I decided on the Chevy HHR LT2 because of its looks, driveability, features, comfort. I have been pleasantly surprised by its quite comfortable ride and great gas millage. This vehicle will almost pay for itself in fuel savings alone, The radio with 7 Alpine speakers sounds great. So far I love the HHR and glad I picked it over its competition.

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  Sweet - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Sam - December 1 - 4:37 pm

  Traded 05 Z71 Tahoe that was fully loaded for my LTZ. Great truck, getting 19ish on highway. Dark Interior color rocks, love the power everything, rides great, fun to drive, nav is great. Already had onstar & XM but they are still nice. Excellent quality & ride is great. Considered changing brands until I drove the new style. Great job GM

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  What a beast! - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Cokernut - December 1 - 3:55 pm

  I finally pulled the trigger when Chevy had the employee pricing. I couldnt be happier with the car. The acceleration is breathtaking. The lines of the car are sharp and a real eye catcher. My only complaint on this beast is the stereo sound system. For $70K put a good sound system in. I purchased the atomic orange Z06 and it accelerates like an atomic bomb and the roar of the exhaust is better than the stereo anyways. I have owned a 1990 Vette and the technology now is just unbelievable especially the Z06. Am I happy with the car, heck yes.

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  It Rocks - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By johnny avalanche - December 1 - 3:30 pm

  Went from a Ford Expedition to this and never looked back. Rides better, handles better and is way more comfortable even on long trips since I go to Hayward WI in summers and FL in winters and travel with 70 lb Golden Retriever and wife and plenty of junk in the back. This baby offers best of both worlds from SUV to pickup. If you want a little more styling go pay another $20 grand for the Escalade version!

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  Great Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Chevroletman - December 1 - 10:00 am

  The silverado is one tough truck. It is full of power. I love it!

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  Brand new for $12,500! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By John - November 30 - 10:46 pm

  Liked the retro look from when I first saw the concept car, always been a Chevy fan but only owned their trucks (3/4 ton HD) all my cars had been imports. I traded in a CRV for this car because it was the most car for the money period! We saw an ad price for $12,500 for the LS and with my GM card discount we drove home in it for $11,500 brand new! cheaper than a cobalt or focus, or a less equipped hyundai! We love that the base model has so many features standard. Oh, and did I mention how great the mileage is? We average 36 on trips and have on one trip gone over 600 miles on one tank! For snow, we bought Bridgstone Blizzack studless and they are amazing! No need for AWD

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  Still Love It - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By VGB - November 30 - 9:16 pm

  Ive owned the new Malibu for a full year now and I am still completely satisfied. Drives great, looks great and I have not found anything I dont love about it. The interior is awesome and the ride is very smooth. A year later and I still look forward to driving this car everyday. I dont think I have ever been this satified with a purchase. Definitely worth every dime I paid for it and then some.