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 Love My Warner Bros.Edition! - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By tawnie - October 22 - 4:11 pm

  I have had little to no problems with my van. It makes road trips a blast and is very comfortable not to mention roomy I have driven my family all over and have only had to pay for recurring maintenance and minor repairs. I would definitely buy this van again.

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  My first...and wont be my last Chevy - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Wolf - October 22 - 3:40 pm

  Been a Mopar/Ford guy all my life until now and am very pleased with my Avalanche LT. It tows my boat better than the Ford I had and yet rides like a sedan. Well appointed inside the family loves the room, cup holders and power outlets. Very glad to have seven airbags too safety-wise. Lots of storage room and the tonneau cover is easy to remove. Plenty of spots to tie down a large load in the bed too. Way to go GM!

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  HHR = Retro, Comfort, Style, and Fun - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jason Morris - October 22 - 12:04 pm

  This car is great! I have always loved the retro look but it was not till I test drove one that I realized how great the car is! We have the 2.4L and it has some good get-up-and-go to it. We have the Leather and it is so comfortable! The interior has great styling. We moved recently and the cargo room was great when you lay the rear seats flat. The back of the seats are lined with Plastic just like the rest of the cargo area. The stereo is great with the 7 speaker Pioneer amplified system. The car is fun to drive and fun to show off to family and friends. Even if they do not like the way it looks, once they drive it they love it! We have the chrome package which adds some great styling!

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  Vrooooom. . .Vroooom...Vroooom - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Rob - October 22 - 1:03 am

  I purchased this at the end of 2005 after having ordered it. I bought every option but the block heater and spoiler. Price was very reasonable, the car is great. Lots of room, stylish and very comfortable. Back seat could use a smidgen more room as it gets tight with three adults. But three kids fit great.

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  Rock Solid - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Rock Solid - October 21 - 8:55 pm

  One of the best values in the industry! Not one visit back to dealership for warranty repairs (after 6 months). Tons of room for family of 4. Last two vehicles have been imports, wont go back.As good or better quality with GM, and for thousands less. Friends own a 2005 and 2006 Equinox, neither have had a warranty repair to date. Like this vehicle more now than when I bought it.

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  I bought another one! - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Malibu4Life - October 21 - 9:29 am

  My first car was a 68 Malibu. Yeah I know its a Chevelle, but to me it is and always will be a Malibu! I just traded in my 02 for the 07 Malibu SS. Wow! I love the pick up. I love the four wheel brake system! A lot roomier than the 02. The only thing I dont like is the boxy look. But after test driving it....it was mine! And I only went to the car lot to see if they had the new 08 models on the lot yet!

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  The Best Car Ive Owned - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Jason Cox - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car feeling a little nervous about getting another two door due to the fact that I had a 10 month old at the time. This car has proved to me its reliability, safety, comfort, roominess, and everything else. I am very happy with my decision and I know who ever gets it after me will be just as excited as I was.

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  Great Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Flyguide - October 21 - 2:00 am

  This is truly a go anywhere, do anything pickup. 4WD with locking differential and capabale of towing 15,600 lbs. A fantastic truck. I pull a 5th wheel RV with this truck all the time with no problems.

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  Really Happy - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dick - October 21 - 2:00 am

  The only complaint I have is the sun visor. Its too short to block sun when you need to block the sun coming in the side windows in the front seat. Handles well in snow with snow tires and sand in the bed.

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  Really Happy - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dick - October 21 - 2:00 am

  The only complaint I have is the sun visor. Its too short to block sun when you need to block the sun coming in the side windows in the front seat. Handles well in snow with snow tires and sand in the bed.