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:

• 

  LOVE IT - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By megnate - June 11 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely love my new Equinox - as to the comparison to the Saturn VUE, I owned a Saturn and would never own another. I had a horrible experience with the car and the customer service was equally as bad.

• 

  MAC REVIEW - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By macattack57 - June 11 - 10:00 am

  One of the best riding trucks I have ever had when I can get it away from my wife who loves to drive it more than her SUV.

• 

  Chevy vs Ford & Dodge - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ghostrider - June 11 - 10:00 am

  After owning 4 ford F-150s and a Dodge, I opted to check the competition, it took alittle arm twisting to break my Ford tradion however it was the smartest move ive made, this truck has relatively no rear bounce yet is tight with its towing package, extremely smooth ride and ample interior room, I am very suprised as to the great mileage on this big V8, lots of leg room and plenty in the extended cab also, Ford still has a cramped cab even in the 04 models, have no problems as to date and all is what was advertised, This new Silverado LS is a smart choice.

• 

  Price and performance - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By mcabuyer - June 11 - 7:54 am

  I wanted a "fun little car". Looked for a 5 speed, and all of the Ford dealers told me to buy one, to test drive one. I found a Cobalt sport litterally round the corner. It was the demo of a salesman we just bought an Impala from. He litterally threw me the keys, and told me to take it for a "thrashing". Lots of fun, and good mileage. handles like a race car, and if I keep my foot out of it, I get over 34 mpg. Im 53, and some kid in an Acura wanted to race, I laughed, and when the light turned green, I laughed. I blew him away. Only item I do not like, is the arm rest. cant get to the parking brake, and the design could be better. I cant imagine the performance of the turbo.

• 

  HHR is the bestest car in life - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By HHR06 - June 10 - 10:46 pm

  I highly recommend HHR for good gas mileage and room for vacation get away. Great for road trips & long distance work. Way much better in snow than Chevy S-10 trucks. I will trade in for another HHR annually if I was a high roller!

• 

  Awsome deal - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By krock - June 10 - 1:28 pm

  I have owned this car since November of 2007. I absolutely love it! Great trunk space, fun to drive, sporty look, awsome gas mileage and great power for a small engine. It even has a 100,000 mile warranty so I have no worries about my purchase. Oh and I love the mp3 input its very convenient. Great features for a great price.

• 

  Best little car ever! - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jes - June 10 - 11:07 am

  I bought this sweet little car right out of high school and have enjoyed it every day since. The only thing I have ever done to my car is get new tires and oil changes. It has never broke down or needed anything replaced. I have driven it hundreds of miles across the country and it is very comfortable for a little cheap car. I have to sell it now because I need a four door car for my new little baby. I am going to cry when my sweet little Cavalier goes away!

• 

  Love It! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Happy New Owner - June 10 - 7:46 am

  I absolutely love the 2006 Impala SS. It handles like a dream and extremely fun to drive. I am not sure why it is categorized as a sedan because it performs like a sports car. You need to pay attention to your speed becuase you will fly in this vehicle without even realizing it. And when it switches from 8 cyl. to 4 cyl, you dont even know it. And if youre looking for an interior with roomy comfort, this car gives you that and does not look like you are driving grandpas car. Would highly recommend the SS.

• 

  Great Car! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By twiglet - June 10 - 2:00 am

  This car really suprised me, with its comfortable seats, and option laden LT version. What more can you ask for for $21k. Once you drive it, you will love it!

• 

  Jeffs review - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Marstoben - June 10 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is absolutely awesome