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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  Great Investment! - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By tarjac - August 25 - 4:18 pm

  Purchased new and have never regretted it! We wanted the bench seat and the only way to get it was to buy a stripped version - ours has no options at all, but its got everything we really need, and then some. Power locks & windows, A/C, cruise, CD. The bed & midgate get used regularly for everything from furniture to lumber to yard projects. We have had "0" mechanical problems. Now that gas is so high, better mileage would be great, but still there is no better all around family vehicle.

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  Love the little car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Great Rig - August 25 - 2:44 pm

  I bought the car to get me from point A to point B safely and it does just that. Ive kept my foot off the gas and manage about 33-34 to the gallon for an average. The car handles well, I have power when I need it. It is fairly comfortable considering that I am six one and I drive a couple hours solid every day to get to work. I dont even hit my head on the roof. Only problem I have had is the bolts that hold on the front bumper started to go loose after 6500 miles with half the miles spent on dirt roads.

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  Fantastic Truck and Amazing Value - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By TJ - August 25 - 6:26 am

  Some trucks did one thing better than the Silverado but none did everything as well. The technology involved with engine is amazing and the eight to four cylinder shift is not only seamless but transparent to the driver. Having small children I really appreciate the safety features. Although the truck was just picked up I have owned foreign full size trucks and the initial quality is every bit as good if not better.

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  Suprise - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Don R - August 24 - 4:23 pm

  After test driving Ford, Toyota and a few other models in the same catagory I was surprised how nice the Equinox was, I gave it a better rating than the above for the price, looks and all the features it has. I have 1000 on the vehicle and average 27mpg city and freeway. The interior is great, controls are all visable and easy to reach. I like all safety features, handling is nice and road noise is low.

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  Wow love it! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tina - August 24 - 2:25 pm

  Well, this is one vehicle I wont trade in. I love the way it drives, I feel like im driving a fast car. I love the way it makes me feel that it is a SUV. But it dosent feel like it.

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  Wow ....what a car - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By anita - August 24 - 1:36 pm

  My new ‘07 Monte is so fun to drive I almost bought a SUV but my Monte caught my eye. Its fun to drive looks good, feels good is very dependable fuel economy is good comes standard with great options

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  Used 2013 chevy volt - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By Fred - August 24 - 10:02 am

  That its a great car. It is one of the most advanced vehicles on the road and you can buy a used one for a fraction of the original price.

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  Wow! - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Paul - August 24 - 7:36 am

  I had an M3 ten years ago which was the benchmark for me for purchasing a new sports car. The Corvette handles as well as the M3 with an enormous amount of power. I still cant wipe the smile off of my face everytime I drive this car.

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  Needs new ideas - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Needs some fixin - August 23 - 1:11 am

  I bought my Equinox new, and havent had much trouble. Ive had the clunking noise upon starting the car, and its actually a recalled part that was just found out about in 7-08. I also have issues with the cupholders, e-brake and center console not being driver friendly. The leather cracks easy, and dont get anything stuck in the sunroom seams, it will leak.

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  Small car with a big punch - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Not your average man - August 22 - 3:28 pm

  I purchased my 08 HHR over 2 months ago to take the gas pump burden off my wallet (HHR $55 evey 10 days vs $90 every 4-5 days with my Silverado). I now find myself driving this car all the time and my 07 Silverado may get driving only once or twice on the weekends. I drive 35+ miles to & from work during the week and when I can lock the cruise at 60 the car will get 35-37 MPG. I am a 65" tall lbig guy and I have no problems with leg & head room (no sunroof - have the issue seeing the stoplights when first in line. I get a lot of people askng about the car & the fuel MPGs, the GM Performamce Air Intake makes a huge difference. My neighbor loves my HHR and wants to trade in her PT Cruiser.