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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  My LS coupe Cobalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By S. J - September 18 - 8:20 pm

  This is my fourth Chevrolet, and I can say that is the best built Chevrolet I had so far. This is a small, fun to drive car. Since I have the coupe (sport package) I can only complain about the rear seats. They were made for small people only. I think that the quality that went inside this car is the best I have seen in an American car. I will say this, if you are thinking of buying a small car, you should have this Cobalt in your list, you will not be disappointed. Chevrolet is going in the right direction.

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  S-dime - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By lowered94 - September 18 - 8:15 pm

  Love my truck! 1994 base model work truck. Runs amazing, lowered 5 inches in front 7 inches in back, and rockin 20 inch wheels. My third S10, and definitely not my last!

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  08 Cobalt SS user review - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Superbrowndude - September 18 - 7:59 am

  Great car, fun to drive. For the money you will not find a more powerful car from the factory with 260hp at 5200 rpm.

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  Avg 27city 32hwy! Solid Built! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Rob - September 18 - 12:00 am

  The gas mileage is great! The small car grows on you as you drive it. Fun. Easy to maneuver, turning radius 33! Decent pick up for the on ramp. Safety scores high! Gave the car to my DD and am now considering another one after shopping Mazda, Honda, Mitsubisi, and Saturn! Cant beat the price and quality, mileage and safety without all the options nickle and dimeing you to death!

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  HHR LT - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By papple - September 17 - 10:14 pm

  Ive had the HHR for 2 months now and like it so far. I was in the market for a car with good MPGs and had the versatility of an SUV. While it is not near the size of the Tahoe, it has similar functionality with the back seats and front passenger seat folded down. Ideal for trips to Home Depot and such. Averaging 26 to 28 MPGs with the auto trans, but will say Im not a lead foot. I drive 28 miles to work with a fairly even mix of city and hwy driving. The drivers seat is surprisingly comfortable with the power lumbar. I havent had a 4 cyl in 15 years, but it hasnt been a painful adjustment. Overall, I am very satisfied with the HHR. It meets my needs for good MPGs and versatility.

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  Rock Steady..One Owner...60k miles - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Peter C. - September 17 - 3:25 pm

  Bought it new after exhaustive research and have loved it since day 1. No major (or for that matter even minor) repairs - just oil changes and other regularly scheduled maintenance. Have 2 little kids and 2 dogs so its been on some long vacation road trips and been perfect for that and for just tooling around town. Easy to drive and not afraid to go "off-road" (Im in Arizona-partly rural area). Been in it for over 3 years now and am still in the honeymoon phase - just a great vehicle! Get about 18mpg overall.

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  2007 Avalanche LTZ - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Tyler - September 16 - 8:19 pm

  Purchased my Avalanche in late 2007 as a replacement for my 2000 Silverado Extended Cab. I wasnt sold on the the previous years Avalanches, as they appeared to be "cheaply" made. My wife liked the Avalanche and convinced me to give up my practical pick-up for a vehicle that would accomodate our 3 kids, yet still offer the functionality that I required (pick-up bed). Ive been more than pleasantly surprised. It rides terrific. I own a contracting business and tow a large boat. The Avalanche hauls and tows large loads with no problem while maintaining considerable interior luxury. I highly recommend the navigation system. Additionally, I recommend the DVD player if you have kids.

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  A superb machine all round! - 2016 Chevrolet Spark
  By Don Atkinson - September 16 - 7:32 pm

  Engineering.com has a video out asking if the 2016 Chevrolet Spark is the best car in the world. I would vote YES. It just does so many things effortlessly!

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  Happy as can be - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Greg - September 16 - 4:44 pm

  I have owned several GMC crew and extended cabs and a Yukon but this Avalanche really does have it all. I have the Z71 package which I think gives it a little better look. The side locked storage is great as well as the looked tailgate with a water tight cargo area. Smooth as a nice car yet tough as a truck. Truly has it all. The more I learned about it after I bought it, the more I liked it. This Avalanche is like home to me, so comfortable.

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  Kind of a blast from the past. - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Doggie Daddy - September 16 - 10:20 am

  Some "professional" reviews talk about the 5 speed trans being "jerky." At 13 miles on the clock, it was. By 200 miles, it had smoothed out considerably. It could be a mechanical form of tromp loi, but everything sounds solid about the Aveo. The handling is sensitive but precise enough for me. Mileage has been as advertised. Everyone who has ridden with me comments about the roominess and exelent visibility. With the LS you get the basic car and so is reminisent of Pinto, Vega, Colt, Civic of the past (had em all) but somehow a little more evolved. The option packages seem a little lop- sided. Time will tell on reliability, but for now I have no issues and enjoy my new ride every day.