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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  Nox Rocks! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Robert in Baraboo - March 6 - 10:00 am

  Our only complaint is with the turning radius. Its not as tight as youd expect on a car this size. Otherwise the nox is a great ride. Well put together, quiet, and snappy. We frequently travel with four adult occupants and Im 62. Everyone is amazed with the leg room in front and back. Doors are very easy to get in and out. Overall, two thumbs up on this new Chevy!

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  Great value - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Elaine Leo - March 6 - 10:00 am

  My husband used to sell Chevys and was very impressed with this new model. We chose all-wheel drive, as he was cautious about front wheel drive from previous models. We have had a noise in the front suspension, had it diagnosed by the dealer was told there is a service note for front strut issues with no fix set yet. Concerned about damage to tires and other damage to front end. Only other issue is tilt wheel control and visability with rear seat head rests. Otherwise, the vehicle is great!

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  Very Impressed - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By VERY IMPRESSED - March 4 - 11:52 am

  I sell and own one of these vehicles myself and would recommend it to any customer interested in one. I have owned TrailBlazers, Avalanches and many sedans even sport models. I have a handicapped child and I put my wife and son in it every day with no hesitations. When it comes time to purchase another vehicle I will do another Chevrolet van.

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  Lots of fun - 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Robert Schell - March 3 - 1:42 pm

  This is the first automatic sports car I have owned, and Ive owned many! For work I am always in an automatic van or truck, whose shifting is less then smooth. I was totally impressed by the 8- speed automatic, and honestly dont miss the manual one bit. It shifts faster then I ever could and lets me focus more on the drive. I Now understand why so many sports cars are ditching their manual option. So I agree with others and try both. Otherwise an exceptional ride and turns heads everywhere.

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  Beautiful - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Patty - March 2 - 4:10 am

  Did not want a new car, husband took me to dealership and it was sold. Absolutely love my HHR. Black with chrome package and aftermarket chrome rims, it turns heads. Love the interior design: fold down seats, lots of storage in rear, glovebox and dash storage, guages easy to read, steering wheel cruise controls and information center. Recent trip got 29 mpg on hwy, avg 25 in city.

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  Great Economical Family Car - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By richmcm - March 1 - 8:31 pm

  We looked at 7 cars in this class and liked the HHR best of all. What sold us. Well the styling was very appealing but the quiet ride, adequate power, nice interior layout with awesome cargo space and plenty of room in the back seats were the final selling pieces. We have over 4000 miles on this everyday work HHR and find it to be more that we expected. We live in the Northeast so one of the best features is the remote starting. Very nice to get into a warm car in these cold mornings. Getting 30 MPG is also very good. We are both over 50 so we will take the soft, quite ride over the stiff harder ride like the Masda 3 5 door had. The HHR fit and finish is also very impressive.

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  2007 Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By peter bell - February 29 - 6:58 pm

  This is my first American vehicle in 11years. Before I owned a Toyota 4 runner and recently a 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD. I am really impressed and love the way this truck looks, drives and feels everytime I get in. There have been a few issues that have been fixed quickly such as rear window trim and the trim on the roof. The rest of the truck is exceptional and I love it I .This was a big leap of faith as I am used to Toyotas -this truck has proven to be great so far. Mpg is not

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  Wonderful car - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Treyb0 - February 27 - 8:15 pm

  This car was love at first sight. I have had no problems with this car and either has my dad(the first owner). I can drive like a maniac in this car. Rollover nothing. Just dont do too stupid of stuff and youre fine. Not fuel effecient at first look, but if you look at it as you hold 8 people and if those eight people were each driving their own car each car would have to get 105 mpg to burn as little gas as the Suburban. Also the towing capability is supurb which you cant get in any fuel effecient car. I would highly recomend this vehicle to anybody wanting to buy a car.

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  Love my impala - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By impalafan - February 27 - 2:18 am

  Had this car 3+ yrs, & still love it. At about 47k miles, and ready for new tires/ brakes. Fun to drive, great power, & plenty of room for my 250lb frame I could drive in comfort forever. Massive trunk, 17+ sq.ft.! 3.8 V6 can really take off, easy to get flying if youre not careful! Dashboard/stereo laid out well, intuitive controls. Info center tells you when you need gas, washer fluid, & even when tire pressure is low. XM & OnStar are standard. I cant say enough for this car!

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  Bad SS - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By redracer1 - February 27 - 12:55 am

  I have the 35th SS LE Convertible it has been an absolute blast. More than enough power great handling and turns heads where ever I go.