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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  I was surprised...I love my Lumina - 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
  By amcelr2 - February 20 - 4:36 pm

  I brought my Lumina 2 years ago...It was already 18 years old but it only had 90,000 miles on it. It was a 1 owner but it had been sitting for about 2 years. I wasnt crazy about it when I went and looked at it but once I drove it I was really impressed and I got a really good deal. I have had no problems at all besides brakes and I have put 55,000 miles on it. It is very well made and fun to drive. It holds the road and has all the power I need and then some. It is very reliable, I know I can hop right in it and take it anywhere I need to go and it looks really nice cleaned up. Even though it is now 20 years old, it is one of the best vehicles I have ever brought! Very well made...

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  WOW! This truck is nice! - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Boreal - February 20 - 1:11 pm

  I have owned a number of 4x4s up here in Alaska and I have never had one as dependable on bad roads as this truck. I have the Crew Cab Z71 model. The combination of the engine, transmission and 4x4 give me traction on any winter conditions, that I have never seen in my past 4x4s. I tow a 12 foot enclosed cargo trailer with my ATV for hunting and fishing and I have no hesitation going up steep grades, and the handling for backing up is super! On top of it all, I get great gas mileage.

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  Rockin The AvEO and LOVIN IT! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Rockin the AVEO - February 19 - 2:09 pm

  I got this to be just a driver until I found the car I wanted. I recently came out of a very very nice Mercedes (many nice luxury cars in a row) and am VERY picky. I am surprised and thrilled with my gas mileage. I love my funky color (one of the reasons it caught my eye) and so much space...all of my cars had been two seaters until now. I needed another car with more space for various reasons...and this little car gives it to me!...and CHEAP!!! I have only had it a short while but I do very long commutes and plan on keeping this even if I get another luxury car. I like that it is such a "green" vehicle... and by buying used I am recycling!!! I LOVE IT and my friends think it is adorable!!!

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  Embrace your blindspots! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Staticgaard - February 19 - 8:53 am

  Cant believe that my son and I convinced my wife to go for the Camaro over the Buick Lacrosse. Lacrosse is an amazing sedan but... I really love this car so far. Smoother than a performance coupe should be, faster than a V6 has any business being. I had an 08 Mustang GT with a V8 and the Camaro is quicker and sips gas. Eliminate your blindspots and stop obsessing over them: Most drivers set their mirrors to see the side of their own car. Set your mirrors to eliminate blindspots. Sit in seat, lean head until almost touching driver window, set mirror now to just see side of your car. When you sit up straight, you have no blindspot. Then lean same distance to right,repeat for pass mirror

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  Disgruntled owner :( - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By unhappy discruntald - February 18 - 11:29 pm

  have owned this car for 7yrs in those 7yrs this car has been ridiculously a pain!! its had engine problems over heating brakes electrical you name its gone wrong..im very unhappy with this car.with every little money i get it has gone into this vehicle and to tell you the truth its not worth it!! if its not one thing its another (thank you AAA) just recently my trunk will not open and the brakes are failing!!!

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  2008 HHR - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Mike - February 18 - 11:19 pm

  Purchased at the height of the Gas problem in 08-It is a spunky little car and fun to drive but mileage is average 26 or so. So far have had front brakes, steering motor and column replaced. Now having issue with front suspension noise. Have the 17 inch Alloy wheels look good but ride rough on this little car. Too many mechanical issues for me am concerned about reliability longer term.

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  Chevys Best Kept Secret - 2010 Chevrolet HHR
  By hot sauce bill - February 18 - 10:30 pm

  Never dreamed I would fall in love with such a car, wagon or SUV? Not really sure what it is. But, it sure is fun to drive, rides great, and the mpg is nothing to scoff at. I got the fully loaded version, and for under $24,000 its hard to beat. Again, I never dreamed I could love such a little vehicle, and Im six feet tall and ride high and comfortable. Ive only owned Silverados up to this point, finally came to the realization mpg and the fact I didnt need to haul anything more than me was most important. I love my HHR! Dont knock it till you drived it!

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  crossing my fingers - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bob - February 18 - 10:11 pm

  I like the looks, the gas mileage and the price was affordable. A wheel cap fell off at 10K and at 19K miles, the steering column is being replaced for the second time! Each time for a different noise. I bought this car new, thinking I wouldnt have to worry about car repairs for awhile. I am now second guessing how much it will cost in repairs once the warranty is up.

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  153,000 miles and still going - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Laura - February 18 - 6:38 pm

  I have had my 2002 camaro 35th anniversary edition since January of 2002. 8 months ago, I had the water pump replaced. Today, I had the sway bar replace and in the very near future I will need to have the catalytic converter replaced. Considering that I have 153,000 miles on this car, I think its done really well.

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  Never buy a Chevy again! - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Webb - February 18 - 5:43 pm

  This car gets terrible gas mileage and has many defects. At 24000 miles the gas gauge quit working, the fan constantly cuts in and out with the AC, and now with just 46000 mikles the transmission seal is leaking (not covered under extended warranty) and a bad spark plug wire fouled a spark plug and ruined the fuel injection system all not covered under warranty! All factory items, had the dealership always change the oil and perform routine maintenance yet the original spark plug and wire is bad. Terrible service and terrible quality. I will never owen another Chevy product again.