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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  Great Ride - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Tony Spallina - August 29 - 6:50 pm

  I love my HHR and I am glad I bought it. I usually go for performance vehicles.Other then the lack of horsepower, it is a great ride. Someday I can picture myself making a Hot Rod out of it.

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  Big Results from a Little Truck - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jay - August 29 - 4:33 pm

  I bought my truck used from a friend who had two trucks. This is a great and dependable truck. I use my truck for work and decided since I was going to school to drive it. I drove from North Carolina to El Paso Texas no issue. The only thing that I did was change the timing belt and started using synthetic oil. Awesome truck!!

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  34mpg Yeah right going down hill!!!!!!!! - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By 34mpg YEAH right - August 29 - 1:52 pm

  We have had this car for nearly a year. Never once has this thing busted 27mpg. Must have been some good grass the day the EPA got a hold of this one. Rides OK, looks great. Needs power if there is no gas mileage.

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  poor ignition - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Chad - August 29 - 11:22 am

  Ive had my Trailblazer for about 2 years and already Ive had it in the shop 2 times about to be the 3rd time. Twice with the ignition and once with the passenger side window not raising. Im very disappointed in the lack of quality in this problem.

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  Great Crossover value - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By car lower - August 29 - 10:51 am

  We purchased the 09 Traverse LTZ after comparing GMC, Buick to other brands. Traverse seems to be the best value of the group. I cant wait to drive it on longer trips to experience all the features it has to offer. Comfort is much like sitting in a minivan so that you are not tired when you finish a trip.

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  Last of the Great Sport Cars - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By Sergeant39 - August 29 - 9:15 am

  Purchased my SSR in September 2008, after seeing it at the Dealers, and just had to have it. Have seen them in the past, and thought they were just the kind of vehicle I needed to have. Traded in a 2004 Mini Cooper, same yellow in color, but not a color person. It was just what was available. This SSR does everything asked of it. Comfortable in long drives as well as down the street. Always attracts looks of envy, jealousy, or whatever. There are only 2 others in the whole county, so I know it still attracts attention. Dont plan on ever getting rid of it and even have it mentioned in my will as to who gets it.

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  My first new car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Carlos - August 29 - 5:10 am

  This was my first new car, previously I owned a 98 cadillac Catera. The performance of the "200" horsepower V6 is incredible, the push button sport shift is precise, smooth, and makes for one fun drive. I am a big kid and like to sit in the back seat w/ my two daughters and play video games on the 7.5 inch LCD DVD screen. It gets way over 30 MPG (Id estimate around 34) on long highway trips. Last summer we were T-boned @ 30 MPH on the passenger side by a Tahoe, -the car is fine!! This is the first new car my wife/I have ever owned. We couldnt have done better.

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  Track Tested - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By olenc - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car mainly because of past Monte Carlo experience, and being a NASCAR fan of the # 3 Monte Carlo.I had the opportunity this summer to go to Talladega Superspeedway and take it 2 laps around the track. Awesome at 120 MPH!!! Awesome around the highway too. No problems so far. I bought it with 67,000 miles on it and I will put 55- 60,000 anually on it. Great experince so far.

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  FUN! - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By gober - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, good pep and decent handling. Interior could use a little more headroom and overall space. Paid $9800. after a little negotiation. Great value for first car. Very happry with buying experience at Steakley, no games.

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  Good Value For The Cost - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Chetter - August 29 - 2:00 am

  The 04 Cavalier is a good value if you stick with the base models. There is no point in loading it up. Its reliable, and somewhat sporty, but the handling is a bit loose.