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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  Very Happy Aussie - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Billydriving - October 29 - 5:36 pm

  Purchased with 7000 miles on clock to tow my 33 ft.Fifth Wheel touring USA for eventual shipping to Australia for touring Australia with fifth wheel also shipped home. Extremely happy with incredible power from 8.1 L/Allison. Great ride even on our sub-standard roads. I cannot complain about 7 mpg towing over 10000 lbs. Love this truck!! Big size a problem in city driving/parking but excellent in purpose truck was bought for-towing.

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  Fun Ride - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Buccley - October 29 - 2:18 pm

  I have had the car now for almost 3 months and nearly 5k miles. I have 2LT 2.4L. Its a fun car to drive, for a car its size does well on gas mileage, when I baby it I can get 27 mpg, when I drive more aggressive I can expect about 24.5 mpg. I have older parents and its really easy for them to get in and out of the car without hitting their head on the way in, and its a quite smooth ride. I helped a friend move and had plenty of room to haul stuff. The selling price of my HHR was 19.6k, for that price I have the 2LT package, heated leather seats, 6-CD changer, XM radio, and running boards (and some other additional trim). I dont think for that price you can do much better.

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  2005 Monte Carlo LS - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Dan - October 29 - 10:36 am

  I bought my monte over 4 years ago used with about 20,000 miles, now I have a little over 123,000 miles and it still runs like new. I have had a few problems minor problems but i have spent less than $500 in repairs in over 100,000 miles. The car has good acceleration for passing and is fun to drive.

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  Mothers Day Gift, follow up #2 - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Pumkinsite - October 29 - 10:00 am

  Wife likes sitting higher to see over other vehicles. Her friends are amazed at the roominess and style. Recently had rubbing/grinding noise develop when braking and turning the vehicle. Noise came from left wheel area/ steering linkage area. Turned out to be a bad shock strut. Dealer diagnosed promptly. However part took 15 days to get from a Midwest supplier. This is 2nd problem fixed under warranty. Drives like new again. Dealer service very good. Friend of my son in law who sells Jeeps was so impressed by the room inside our Equinox he stated "I hope my customers dont find out about this SUV". Taking a 1000 mile trip soon with our EQNX.

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  Love this Impala - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Paul - engineer - October 29 - 8:53 am

  I bought this car as my everyday, to- and-from work car. Shortly after purchase, I got a work assignment that had me travel out-of-town (175 miles) each week. This car was a delight for that travel. First of all, I get superb gas mileage - better than the EPA estimates. I averaged 32-34 mpg on my out-of-town trips and in my normal commuting (city/freeway mix) I get about 26. Amazing for a car like this! It is very comfortable, quiet and smooth, has plenty of power, and looks and handles well. I got the satellite radio option and use it a lot. The sound system (base model) is great. I love having the built-in hands-free phone. I dont use it a lot, but when I do it is a great feature.

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  Great Value! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By GeorgiaB - October 29 - 12:40 am

  Roomy and comfortable when driving long distances. Good gas mileage. Rear area is roomy and the shelving for storage is excellent.

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  Previous Ford owner - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Leanne - October 28 - 10:38 pm

  As a previous Ford owner, we are trying our first Chevy. So far, it has been great. OnStar and navigation systems are a very nice asset. The comfort is comparable to the Ford Expedition, possibly more room in the front seats than the Ford counterpart. Ride is what you would expect from the SUV vehicle market. Interior is roomy with riders comfort in mind. Third row is tight and Chevy needs to take a lesson from Ford in this area.

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  Good 4x4 - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By CP - October 27 - 6:00 am

  I purchased used with 40,000 miles for the 4x4. I live in a semi-rural area and the roads dont get treated. I have the 5.3 V8, and G80 locker. For the two months Ive driven, it has worked like a charm. Been using the AutoTrac 4x4 which is the button system that goes into 4WD Auto, which is AWD. Had to dig the wheels out a little when I drove into 3 high snow in my driveway. I rocked the truck back and forth a couple of times and was out. I get around 20 mpg on country roads and highway. I dont drive heavy footed, usually 65-75 hwy. Only thing that I find annoying is the wipers cant be lifted off the windshield when it snows, because of the hood design. Takes longer to clean the window.

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  My Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Meposian51 - October 26 - 9:13 pm

  I really enjoy driving my Chevy Trailblazer. It has pep with 290 horsepower and handles well. Easy to park, and I get decent gas mileage for an SUV. Plenty of room for groceries or luggage, etc in the back which is great for trips. This is my first SUV and I would definitely recommend the Chevy Trailblazer!

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  Personal Experience - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By dmt1541 - October 26 - 11:21 am

  We searched far and wide for the perfect family van and after owning this Venture for 2 years we are confident we found it. We love the ways the seats fold and move individually, they give you so many options. The gas mileage is great. We got 25mpg driving to FL with a family and luggage to boot. The integrated child seat is awesome, I just wish we had two instead of one. Im a Ford guy myself, but this Chevy Venture is awesome. My wife and I wanted 8 passenger seating and we could only find it in the Chevy Venture (in 2005). Yah we have 3 kids but what if the grandparents or friends want to ride, 8 passenger is a must. Weve had no operational problems and were closing on 40,000.