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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  Awesome! - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By KBECK - May 5 - 10:00 am

  Traded in my 2000 Vette. The 05 Vette is a quantum leap from the C5 - performance, interior/exterior fit & finish. Navigation system and overall use of technology is impressive.

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  Best car i ever had - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Sam Ventura - May 5 - 10:00 am

  this is a comfort, quiet and powerfull car

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  SSSWEET - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rocko - May 5 - 10:00 am

  Ive been a gm buyer for quite a while,everything from a 70 chevelle ss to corvettes to a denali. I am very happy with my new "SS" I have added a cold air intake reprogramed the computer added headers and exhaust. with these mods it dynos at 405hp and 440torque. Im thinking of adding a throttle body next and then working on the suspension a little.

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  Best car that I ever owned - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MV - May 5 - 2:29 am

  I have covered 105,000 miles in the last 4 and a half years. Never had a single problem except for a plastic handrest breaking during warranty. Changed brakes once and spent $120 for the 100,000 mile service and changed all tires at 95,000 miles. My wife loves Japanese cars but after seeing my Chevy, she switched to GM as well. I am waiting for the 2008 Malibu to upgrade.

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  Wow, Chevy really did make improvements! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By VA - May 5 - 12:03 am

  Traded in my 2004 Z71 Ext cab for the 2007 model. Loved the 2004, the 2007 is even better! This truck is really fun to drive. It handles like a much smaller vehicle but with all the expected power. Very quiet ride for a truck. Just returned from long highway trip, averaged 16.5 at 70 mph with the air on and windy conditions. Did notice an increase in mileage with the air off. Was hoping for better since my 2004 averaged 18. Leather seating is very comfortable, I felt great after 5 hours of non-stop driving. Love the premium Bose sound package.

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  Im IMPRESSED enough to buy! - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By CDC - May 4 - 7:30 am

  Having owned a 2001 Cavalier, I expected Cobalt to be merely a re-packaging. Not so, my great looking base coupe is a sports car! Albeit entry level and low priced. We were so taken by it that the kids and I begged Mom to let us get the Coupe. In order to do so we purchased one extra option, a new dining room table.

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  I love my truck - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Mo - May 3 - 10:03 pm

  Purchased this truck used with 47,000 miles on it in 2001. Have taken several major road trips, now have over 160,000 miles on it. Last summer, in the mountains, fuel pump went, not good. Need to expect some major repairs on a vehicle with this many miles tho. With soaring gas prices I have entertained getting something more economical, however, after reading these reviews, I am encouraged that reliability, power and comfort might be worth the trade off in gas dollars. Theres no beating it for hiway driving, so much more visibility and appreciate the higher profile. Still hauling kids, think Ive convinced myself to keep it til it dies! Been told they can go for 300K

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  HHR One nice Crossover - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By MisterB - May 3 - 7:26 am

  Ive had the HHR for about a month now and have no real big complaints. Its somewhat underpowered and as most of the reviews have said the cupholders and power window controls could use better placement. The ride and handling are great and the gas mileage seems to be as good as the sticker states.I love the retro styling and I think GM has a winner in the HHR.

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  Nice Car - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Many considered - May 2 - 7:33 pm

  Was looking for a car with decent fuel economy, cost, features, and size. Cross-shopped Camry, Accord, Sonata, and many others initially. Some have criticized OnStar but Im not sure why. Its free for a year and then you dont have to pay a penny if you dont like it. It offers great hands free calling, emergency features, diagnostics, and lock out service. Have used all but emergency many times. The ride is quiet and comfortable and I notice little wind noise. Many features from heated seats to dual-zone cc were standard. For the price I paid, I would have ended up with a 4 cylinder import comparably equipped. Domestic quality is way up lately and deserves a look.

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  Excellent truck - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ldeverel - May 2 - 2:18 am

  I do not have the LTZ, I have an LT Z71 4x4 with the 5.3 L and 6-speed tranny (3.08 rear end). I have had the truck just under two months and have 6200 miles on it and am very pleased so far. All of these miles have come with a 900-1000# payload in the back (permanent vet box) and the truck gets 15.5-16 mpg with this setup (I do not drive very conservatively). The truck will downshift into 5th and 4th on steep grades. With the z71 suspension and the 1000# payload, I have not had to add any suspension reinforcement. The rear end sits down a bit, but not even to level, let alone noticeably squatting. Towing heavy trailers with the payload does cause trailer sway, but I dont tow much.