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:

• 

  2009 SS Cobalt - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Why Not - October 4 - 1:02 pm

  Bought the Cobalt SS Sept 15. So far I’m very impressed. The turbo really helps the 2.0 liter create power. It feels faster, stops quicker and handles better than my 96 TransAm WS6 (and it was a performer in its day). The reconfigurable display is awesome, the Brembos fell like an anchor is thrown out to help stop it and it handles like its on rails. The seats feel great, standard bluetooth is cool and the short-throw shifter is outstanding. Ive had Vettes, TransAms, and tons of 60s era muscle cars. At 54 years old, this car puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. With the GMPP plan offered last month, I’m sorry I didn’t buy two of them for $22,400.

• 

  What a car! - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Sherry - October 4 - 11:50 am

  I love my Trailblazer. I travel more than 45 minutes each way to work and this car makes it worth the trouble. It is loaded with so many comforts like 4WD, seating for 7, leather seating (heated), OnStar, XM radio, and much more. I bought the medium red color with gray interior and I get so many compliments! I highly recommend this vehicle.

• 

  A mileage wonder - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Michael Davis - October 4 - 5:36 am

  This vehicle has been a mileage surprise. EPA estimates of 30 are often exceeded on longer trips. A recent 400-mile, one-way trip got 31 mpg with several in town stops, while the return, mostly non-stop trip logged 34.5 on the onboard computer, but 39 mpg when actually running the numbers on the calculator! This was at 59-60 mph for most of the way. This replace a 1994 S-10 Blazer that only did 24 mpg on its best days. I wish professional reviewers would quit putting so much emphasis on a vehicles ability to rocket off the line. Except for race car drivers, we are not buying cars to win drag races. The HHR has plenty of power to accelerate from stop lights and to merge onto freeways.

• 

  Follow up after 15 months and long drive - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Toydriver - October 3 - 9:10 pm

  My 07 C6 6 speed auto coupe is now broken in. I drive it only in good weather and stow it in winter, so every time I use it is a treat. Just returned from a 1300mi road trip. It is a perfect road car for two. Very comfy, plenty of passing power when you need to leave the 18wheelers in the dust, and stores plenty of luggage, golf clubs, etc. The base version is just great. It has all of the creature comforts needed. Only problem has been some noise in the rear differential which was corrected by dealer with a TSB- recommended additive to the differential lube. If I lived in a warmer climate Id use this car as my daily driver. Its well made and Im proud to drive the best all-American sports car.

• 

  Tahoe Strong - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Steve-O - October 3 - 2:28 pm

  I really enjoy my Tahoe. I purchased it because I need a 4wd vehicle to get me to and from the fire station during snowstorms. I have been impressed so far. Besides the gas mileage, Im very happy with it so far. It has over 120,000 miles on it and I feel comfortable driving it across country. Although I am a light foot when I drive on the highway, I still only average 17. That said, I love it and I bought it knowing what kind of milage a 5.7 v8 gets.

• 

  Follow Up - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Andria - October 3 - 8:06 am

  After 17 months of owning this truck and 30,000 miles of hard towing ruff winter driving, I love this truck. Not one thing has gone wrong, only routine maintance done. This truck drives the same as it did 17 months ago. Big and roomy for the kids we take this truck on all of our family outings, its like driving a luxury car. I get about 18 miles per gallon going 65/75 on the hihgway and about 15 in the city. Hauling I get about 14MPG fully loaded of 12,000lbs towing. Cannot complain. I also used Biodiesel in my truck and got great gas mileage. almost 20MPG on highway. Plus the engine ran better. Just can not find it where I live. Buy this truck.

• 

  03 ss - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By loams - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Overall, a very fine car. Well designed with plenty of room and excellent gas mileage. Great looking too!

• 

  Still in the break in period - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Fire Inspector - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Miles per gallon? what do you pepole expect, look at the thing.None of us bought it without thinking this thing looks like it has got some big round ones. Its huge. I Like to see the cadi drivers and know I have the same thing but for half $. Does not bother me about the "leaking cover" (its a truck)remmember? cargo still stays dryer then in the Ramm or f-Series. I just worry like the rest about water in the cab from the mid-gate.

• 

  GREAT TRUCK! - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By BLACKDOG - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT USED WITH 15K ON THE CLOCK. NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR A TICKING NOISE ON ACCELERATION, NOT COLD START KNOCK SOME TALK ABOUT. THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE NOISE BY REPLACING SENSORS BUT NO LUCK. GM TOLD ME IT IS A NORMAL NOISE DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE PISTONS WHICH HAVE A SHORT SKIRT TO HAVE LESS MASS THEREFORE BETTER GAS MILEAGE. THEY TOLD MR TO PUT MY MIND AT EASE, THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN EXTENDED 6 YR/100K WARRANTY ON THE ENTIRE ENGINE. I HAVE THIS IN WRITING PLUS IT IS TRANSFERRABLE. I MUST SAY THE TICK NOISE DOES NOT AFFECT ANYTHING, AT LEAST NOW. i HAVE 27K ON IT NOW.

• 

  BEST IVE EVER OWNED - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By JOHNNY10 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I CANT TELL YALL HOW HAPPY I AM WITH THIS TRUCK WOW..........