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 Pleased so far - 2009 Chevrolet Suburban
  By 5th Suburban - September 2 - 11:40 pm

  Our 5th Suburban in the last 20+ years, this is the best by far. Creature comforts are significantly improved over previous years, and the 6-speed transmission and proven 5.3 V8 are strong and smooth. Looks like this will be a very good vehicle for years to come.

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  Its not a Hemi - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mr Hurst Olds - September 2 - 3:44 pm

  I loved my 06 300C. It was one of my best cars,but gas won"t stay 2 bucks a gal. I looked at mostly GM cars and always liked the Impala,the SS would be great but I wanted better mileage. I read some of Edmunds reviews and I thought that some were critical of the interior. I believe that was because of buying the lower model. I am very happy with the leather seats and the way they sit. I have 18 inch wheels and the handling pkg {both std on LTZ} and car handles as good as my 300. It does have a little stiffer ride but you cant have both ways. The 3.9 V-6 has plenty of power for all my driving and the first tank of gas{mostly city with some hwy driving avg 23.5

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  2006 Cobalt a good basic car value - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By billt - September 2 - 6:26 am

  I purchased this car because I needed a 3rd vehicle which I could "run the wheels off of". I had rented automatic versions while on business trips and found the vehicle to be quite acceptable. I immediately drove the car to Florida (approx 1,000 miles) straight thru and felt no discomfort at all. The car is well "laid out" and its performance (2.2 liter with manual 5 speed) is quite acceptable. My other vehicles are a 2004 Mach I mustang and a 2004 Expedition, so I really appreciated the 32+ MPG that I have been getting in this vehicle.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By sushidog - September 2 - 1:50 am

  In 25k miles I have had no repair or warranty issues. It handles well in the twisties (drove "tail of the dragon" and "hellbender" in the NC mountains). It accelerates and stops like a much more expensive car, yet it gives great gas mileage for a 15.35sec (my actual 1/4 mile time)n/a 2.4l 4cyl. automatic. Its only slightly modded (I/H/E/&tune) Fit and finish are great for a $17.4k Chevy economy car.

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  Great SUV - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By BP - September 1 - 10:55 pm

  This is my second Suburban. I rolled the first one. We bought this one with 113,000 miles on it and it still looks new. There is hardly any wear in the leather at all and the carpet still looks great. Maybe they didnt have kids? Have not had any problems yet. Love the comfort and ride. Much quieter than my 99.

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  My 07 Silverado - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By lostrebel - September 1 - 10:16 pm

  I just traded my 02 Silverado for an 07 Silverado and couldnt be happier. The redesign was a long time coming. The rack and pinion steering and the coil over front suspension greatly improve the handling. The interior is much more comfortable than that of the 02 model.

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  great so far v-8 - 2009 Chevrolet Colorado
  By charlie - September 1 - 10:09 pm

  I bought a 2009 sle canyon v-8 about 2mon. ago it is by far one of the nicest little trucks I have owned or drove ever , it has enough power for about any thing a smaller truck could be used for . I havent pulled with it yet but I will be trying that very soon , I hope it will pull 3 baggers I fell like it should an hope it will , the interior is really comfortable an I have read many reviews about it an most say the finish is no good like the interior but I thank it is as nice as any I have seen , I dont really understand that but I guess there is a reason but I dont know . An guys an girls the handling is great right on just cant find any after market air filters an pipes V8

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By nick6222 - September 1 - 6:41 pm

  I bought my HHR with 34000 miles on it the only problem i have had is the a/c it makes a funny noise when on but other than that it is great.

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  Born to Ride... - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Red - September 1 - 5:10 pm

  This truck can fly off the line (for a truck) and haul anything you throw at it. The ride is smooth, aslong as you dont change the suspension. If you add a Power Chip it boost the power along with alittle more gas mileage. Along with the right kinda of tires, the 4x4 will get you out of most problems. The protection the engine and electrical parts have from water and mud is great. I went through 4ft of water(factory height) without any problems afterward, except alittle water in the cab...no biggy. Careful with the CD player tho, if a cd is in when you start up, it may not play, youll have to take it out then reinsert.

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  Good News - Bad News - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Richard - September 1 - 4:38 pm

  I have owned my 2009 Traverse LTZ since Feb. 2009. I love everything about it, except one thing. The bad news is that one thing was the primary reason I bought the vehicle. The Traverse is advertised as getting 18mpg in the city and 24mpg on the highway. I am getting nowhere near that. My combined mpg has been 17.4mpg with roughly 50-50 city/highway mix. This is AFTER driving like I am 80 years old. I have never owned a vehicle so far below EPA mileage estimates. This is ridiculous. Otherwise, an outstanding vehicle. I am getting 19to20 mpg on the highway and 15to16 mpg in the city.