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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  Slides in the Snow - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Susan - December 26 - 10:56 am

  This car is scary to drive in the snow. Theres a lot of sliding, even when driving at slow rates of speed. Ive had to put heavy items in the back, as if I were driving a pickup truck. The windows are difficult to see out of, because they are so small in order to see traffic signals and there are a lot of blind spots, because of the design of the front windows. I also had the rattling and shaking with the sway bar when I would brake. If I had to do it over again....Id look a little harder...

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  I love it - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Ken - December 26 - 7:08 am

  I bought this Colorado used 2 years ago. Other than normal servicing, all I have replaced is the battery at 5 years. I drove it home (550 miles) in a snow storm and got 24.0 on the first tank and 24.4 mpg on the second. In town I get between 20 and 21. The work truck the seats are non-reclining and terrible. I replaced them with a used set of very comfortable LT seats. Traction on the OEM General Ameritracs is terrible. I now have 74,000 miles and can not wear them out. I bought two General AT22 for this winter and the traction is unbelievable. Ill buy two more as soon as I wear out the original Ameritracs. Im looking at a 2006 for my daughter this week. Great truck!!!

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  The king of the hill - 1990 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ZR Juan - December 26 - 2:23 am

  Engine was designed by Lotus, built by Mercury marine, and is a Chevrolet. Parts and a certified mechanics can be a difficult find. Engine is very reliable and always runs strong. There are examples out there with over 200,000 miles and still run great!

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  Law and Order/Rivals No Match - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By PaoloRossi82MVP - December 26 - 1:35 am

  I purchased the 2005 Impala for two reasons: First its Reliability/Outstanding Crash Test (its line has been around at least once every decade since the 1950s). The 3.8 Liter engine is more reliable than the 3.4 Liter engine. Second is the Available Standard Features (More on that later). The Impala drives more like a Luxury Sports Sedan not as a Mid-Size Sedan. I needed a reliable car to take me to and from work, and with the Impala I am actually enjoying it very much. I test driven Accords, Camry, Taurus, Sable, and Maxima (prior to 04 Model Year)in the past, it doesnt have the safety record and safety features that are Standard as it is in the Impala.

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  Excellent vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By MarkInKeizer - December 26 - 12:32 am

  Other reviews say it all about the improved fit and finish and the great design. Its a huge improvement over previous Suburbans and previous GM vehicles Ive owned. Ive driven a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville (about the same weight) and a 1999 Suburban. The Bonneville ranged from 9 to 12 mpg and the 99 Suburban got 11 to 13 and to get the higher mileage I had to drive in a style that had the little old man in a hat behind me irate! The 2007 gets 13.5 mpg accelerating faster than most people away from lights. This isnt 1 fuel economy like others have rated it. Comparing it to a Prius or Metro is NUTS! Come on lets compare apples to apples. I get 17 - 20 on the freeway. It needs the 2010 6 speed.

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  time to buy a real truck not a silverado - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By cjk - December 25 - 10:33 pm

  This was at first a good truck at 67,000 miles when the transmission went out on me the dealer told me I need a new transmission this is not good for gm I just go back and forth to work. No towing no plowing so gm said they will not help do. Dont buy gm trucks

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  Had Reservations - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By MusicTeach - December 25 - 9:07 am

  My husband wanted to get an HHR for me because I need lots of trunk storage to haul musical instruments. I was concerned about the gas mileage, and the style of the car. Right now, in the cold, I am getting 25 mph around town, and I am pleased with that. It handles very well in the snow. I am still getting used to the style, but so far, I like it.

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  Would not buy one AGAIN!! - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ed - December 25 - 3:36 am

  Have had the power windows go out (both) twice. Once, while still in warranty. The dash is cracked in several places. Light on floor console has been out for 2 years now. I NEVER had this happen on ANY cras Ive ever had before!! Newest car Ive had. Nice sound system, ride, remote entry.

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  dream truck - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By James - December 24 - 11:32 pm

  I had a big chevy, but wanted a smaller version of the larger truck (1976)never happened until 94. Then the shortbed stepside was produced. Love at first sight. Brought mine in 05. It has been a treasure. It is driven on the road over 200 miles a day five days a week. it had a 2.2 4 cyl. I overheated it driving with the radiator cap off. It had 288k on it then. Replaced motor & drove it a year on the road. Decided I wanted more horsepower. Upgraded drivetrain to v6 power with automatic and now have the truck of my dreams. started to add a v8 but change plans due to mileage driven daily.

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  Bottom of the Barrel - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Chris Kimball - December 24 - 7:20 pm

  This car is good except for the transmission. The automatic transmission has a high stall converter (2800+ rpm stall) thus the explosive performance but causes me to only get 14-15 in the city under normal driving conditions. The shift points for the car are also very high, on a light throttle the car shifts out of 1st and 2nd gear at 3,000 rpm and no less. On the highway I get 19 with no A/C on going down hill the engine rpm is around 2,400. The mileage sticker on the car from the EPA is very generous and needs to be reviewed again.