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 Car - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Css08 - February 14 - 11:36 am

  Bought this car used w/ 135 K, now at 165 K w/ little problems. These cars will last to 200 K if maintained. It does hesitate starting sometimes and the theft system light will come on making it not start for 10 minutes. Body rusts on back wheel wells and by gas tank. Gas mileage is average. Overall, good car if you maintain it.

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  Worst truck purchase ever! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Stephen - February 14 - 7:36 am

  In under 40,000 miles, I have had to change the clutch, have the brakes rebuilt, new tire rods, and live with the wonderful feeling of is the truck going to die on the way to work again. I am currently driving with the check engine light due to faulty vacuum seals. This truck has been used to haul items less than ten times and never over a thousand pounds. the vehicle rattles and does not drive nice, several of the dashboard lights have burnt out. Do not buy one of these vehicles they are not put together well.

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  HHR Review - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By HM52425 - February 13 - 9:01 pm

  Even though I have only had the vehicle for a short time, I am very satisfied with the vehicle. I had researched the vehicle for several months, and this proved to be the best vehicle for my needs. I drive 72 miles , one-way to work, on a daily basis. The gas mileage is good (30+ MPG) and comfort is excellent.

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  Beats the hell outta Broncos - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By nate - February 13 - 5:17 pm

  My dad bought this truck brand new in 1994. Looks just like the picture on this website. I always told him once I turn 16 Im getting the truck and sure enough I got it. This beast surely is like a rock. My friend has a 94 bronco and we hooked chains. I pulled him all around his own driveway! Id like to put a 4 inch suspension on it and a solid front axle but im happy with it the way it is. Shes got a 150,000 miles and runs as good as the day my dad bought it. Id recommend this thing over any truck cuz nothing can compare to a k5. I wish they would have kept making these instead of converting them to tahoes.

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  Great Car (3LT, NPP, Z51, 6M) - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Frank - February 13 - 3:03 pm

  I traded in my 03 BMW M3 for the corvette. Overall I am very happy with the total package. The engine is amazing and the exhaust note (mild to wild installed) is awesome. The interior fit and finish (quality of materials) does not stand up to the M3 but I prefer driving this car. Only problem that I have experienced was a faulty alternator that left me stranded one night but was replaced quickly by the dealer. The pure performance alone is a good reason to get one!

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  Very good with minor issues - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By n8joes - February 13 - 9:15 am

  45000 miles and runs great. Excellent road manners for something so large and heavy, fairly comfortable, strong engine, feels solid. Tahoe fully loaded with people / gear and a 4500LB boat attached hardly breaks a sweat on road trips over flat to hilly terrain. Very sure-footed all seasons. Snow and ice no problem even with factory tires close to replacement. GM has closed the gap considerably with foreign automakers with greatly improved interior design and looks, but GM still has work to do as many surface finishes and materials (inside and out) do not do this vehicle justice. 07 Tahoe looks high quality but up close, cost cutting is evident.

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  A Champion car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Ryan - February 13 - 9:00 am

  I bought this car a while ago and I love it, I have the LT edition and I get 36 on the highway, even though my car is packed full of stuff(Im currently moving). Great acceleration and breaking. The only downside is that it gets uncomfortable on long road trips.

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  Quantity not Quality - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Caguilar - February 13 - 12:21 am

  I bought this vehicle four years after its make, I started having problems with it by the end of 2007 and havent gotten it to pass emissions since 2008. THe repairs have cost me a little over 3,300 when the engine blew in the end of 2009 and the electrical problems have cost me near a grand, I have put two fuel pumps into it and two sets f new tires. The truck is like the devil on wheels. I might buy GM again but it defiantly will not be an S-10! Plus it is so heavy, buying gas for such a small stocky truck drains the bank account, I will go for a more dependable, loading vehicle next time.

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  Will have another! - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mr. bill - February 12 - 10:29 pm

  After eight year I think we got our moneys worth! Great people mover,car hauler,swim taxi. My wife loves this suv and we will buy another one. Very few repairs, just maintain it. Did I say great car.

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  Decided on a Cobalt - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lenny - February 12 - 4:25 pm

  I bought my Cobalt a couple of months ago to replace my gas guzzling alero. however im only getting 450km a tank in my car :( and im only driving it highway to school and back so that was really disappointing. HUGE trunk and the car is really nice both inside and out and is fun to drive and reliable. sporty and fairly peppy for a 2.2