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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  Update to 5/26 Review - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By bb - October 31 - 2:55 pm

  I still really enjoy this car after driving it for about 6 months. Ive had no problems at all and have noticed quite a few more on the roads lately. The gas mileage isnt quite what I was hoping for - only about 22 mpg, doing almost all city driving - but I can still go 2-3 weeks between fill-ups. Im still very happy with the LS model, it may not be as fast or as stylish as the LT or SS models, but for just driving back and forth to work and around town it works perfectly.

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  Reliable car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By phil - October 31 - 9:29 am

  This car has never had anything go bad. It is the most reliable car I ever owned. At over 77000 miles it preforms like new. It is fully loaded and all accessories preform perfectly.

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  Best Vehicle I Have Ever Owned - 1999 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dan - October 31 - 2:16 am

  I love this car! I have had no trouble with it mechanically and it gets great gas mileage. Who would have believed? The car is fast and fun to drive! I am completely satisfied with this car!

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  Love my HHR SS - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Tim - October 29 - 9:00 pm

  I have almost 3000 miles on the SS. Gas mileage is better than expected so far. I commute 50 miles round trip, mostly the Katy Freeway in Houston. The last four tanks averaged 26.5 mpg (actual calculated miles divided by gallons purchased, not the cars computer mpg display.) My previous vehicle was a 2000 Tahoe, a great truck with no problems. The handling and acceleration of the SS is great. I dont have the brake issues other posters have noted. I plan to put a lot of miles on the car.

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  Suburban - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By shayes - October 29 - 4:49 pm

  This is a great vehicle we have traveled many places in this vehicle and have had only minor problems. We have replaced the fuel pump and u-joints. This is a great vehicle my husband has a 2001 he has 293453 miles and only replaced the alternator. This is our third Suburban and we will be buying another Suburban soon.

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  Top dog 2007 SS - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By dfwwiz - October 28 - 7:43 pm

  This is the 4th Monte Carlo we have owned. We bought this 07 SS after finding out about it being the last year produced. Chevy finally put the engine in it needed and now its dead. After 5 weeks of owning it, im still in awe of it! We trade in a very nice 2004 SS for this one. This one is black with most all of the extras on it. This is by far the best car Ive ever owned. It gets great mileage for having over 300 hp. So far it has averaged 20.6 in city. The power is just awesome. I removed the mufflers to let it sound better and replaced them with straight 2.250 pipe and reattached the stock tips. This car turns heads evereywhere it goes. We also had a 79 and still have an 86 SS

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  first domestic in 15 years - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By mhall - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Test drove the Malibu several times and came away more impressed each time. Solid ride with absolutely no rattles or sqeeks. Impressive list of extras. More pick-up than the Mazda Millinia it replaced with great millage, 23/32. Very good handler with room inside. Only complaint is the headrest is tilted slightly more forward than I was used too. Got used to it very quickly.

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  Best Malibu Yet - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ken Geiselmann - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Leased a 1999,then a 2001 and now a 2004 and find this to be the best. I think this one is the best of all, it seems to ride smoother and the the mpg averages 22+ under a variety of conditions. Engine response is tremendous. Has plenty of standard features that are usefull. Upgraded to the 6 cd radio and it is great. I have one rattle and have isolated it to the front passenger seat and will get rid of it.

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  excellent vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By hutch66 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  excellent vehicle has plenty of power stay on the road in turns and is built in the untied states by the uaw

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  Its Great - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Spike Meredith - October 28 - 2:00 am

  No problems in first 3500 miles, excellent fuel economy and performance. Looks great, but of course I had to dress up the interior, add a cupholder, needs more electric outlets for phone, radar detector, etc., needed more sound proofing in rear to isolate the trunk and convertible top area. Did some performance enhancements also. Spent another $2,500.00 on aftermarket stuff.