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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  Wow - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Kimberly Heck - August 16 - 9:41 pm

  I love this vehicle. I have problems with low back pain and seats are a great fit for me. This car drives like a dream with tight ride, a little softer than a Mercedes. I managed to get this car with the 5.3 engine and I am very impressed with the performance and I have no problems merging into busy Dallas traffic. The turning radius is amazing and can easily manage any U-turn or parking lot space. I know the the fuel economy could be better but I cant complain because I knew that when I bought the vehicle.

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  Will Buy Again! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Equinox LT - August 16 - 9:40 pm

  My husband and I leased an Equinox to take our son back to college in another state. The trip was 10 hours one way and none of us got tired! There was plenty of room to pack everything and room for us to sit comfortably. We decided then that would be the next vehicle for us We bought the Equinox pre-owned and since I am the primary driver I couldnt be more pleased. The radius turning is good and surprisingly tight. The back seat has more room than the Toyota Highlander. I love my Equinox!!

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  Great Vehicle? - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By George - August 16 - 8:46 pm

  No one in DMV could tell me what model this was.......car/truck/suv/van????? Drove it two days after purchase from Clearwater, FL to Sierra Vista. Driveway to driveway 2062 miles with average 29.7 with normal I-10 cruise control set at 80mph. Shorter run to Phoenix got 31.9 on I-10 and in an around town w/ac so far 27.6. Rides great, handles great in and out of traffic and wife found it more than comfortable on trips with plenty of room for her shopping while traveling.

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  Handy & comfortable - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By marcopolo - August 16 - 7:25 pm

  We took our new Equinox on a road trip a week after we got it, a very pleasant ride. Comfortable seats, the long wheelbase makes the ride smoother, easy to get into. Fuel economy is much better than my 06 Trailblazer, and there is more interior room for passengers. The big cooler sits flat on the floor in the back seat, XM radio & OnStar are also great. The electric steering is quiet and efficient. It is just a great ride. Were going again in a couple of weeks, and I cant wait to get on the road. Then, in everyday life, its easy on gas around town, easy to park, simple to maneuver. Plenty of room for stuff in the back, too. This might be my most favorite car ever.

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  Chevy Cavalier a great Car - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Sean - August 15 - 2:56 pm

  I must say in the years that I have had my 1993 Chevy Cavalier that I have only replaced a head gasket and solinodes, radiator in the last 10 years. The car is great for the money. I am planning on buying another Cavalier

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  Best Ever - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By STAN ALEXANDER - August 15 - 2:11 pm

  I have owned five Corvettes in my life, but my 2008 is the first new one I have had. In 2004 I bought a beautiful black 2002 convertible and I really loved it, then I began reading about the 2008 and the new engine, and I figured since I had just turned 60 I would by a new Corvette. I ordered a Crystal red convertible, ebony interior, dual mode exhaust and LT3 package. I have not been disappointed, it handles like a dream, it feels so tight and manageable and when you just step on the gas, not floor it, you are doing 70 before you know it, but the best part is that almost every time I take it out, strangers will stop and tell me that is the "best looking car Ive ever seen". No problems.

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  Rolling Thunder - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By crock924 - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I have had this truck for about 5 months and I have never had a problem with it. Treat it well and it will serve you well.

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  From a very satisfied purchaser - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Aveo LS - August 14 - 4:23 am

  I purchased my Aveo in Sept 2007 when I traded in my 2005 Cobolt. Have driven 11,00+ miles in all road conditions, weather conditions, both highway and city. I couldnt be more pleased with the way it handles, reliability, gas mileage and appearance. I have received numerous compliments on it. I cant understand why I dont see more of them on the road and why they are advertised very little. I would recommend this car to anybody and in fact have done so.

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  Impala SS CD player blues - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Kevin Rickard - August 14 - 1:03 am

  I love my new Impala. Fun to drive, delivers everything I wanted. Only problem I have had is the CD player. The first time I tried to put one in it would not let me. Had to take it back to the shop for them to verify the failuer and back again to have the whole radio replaced. New unit works great but I think they should add a CD check to their final inspection routine. Otherwise, thanks Chevrolet for a great car.

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  Great American Car - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By E85 Guy - August 13 - 9:09 pm

  This is literally the first American-made car that I have ever owned to hit 100,000 miles without any transmission or engine failures. Previously, my Ford Deathstars engine blew at 74,000 miles, and I became a Chevy fan. I feel confident in driving this car, confident in the quality and reliability.