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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  Good small suv - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By cayo - August 9 - 6:09 pm

  This car is a really good small suv. Driving it is very fun. It has a very good engine performance the 5speed trans make the ride feel very smooth. Even though some times the last gear takes a bit to long to kick in. Very Nice for long trips. Lots of space inside.

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  gas guzzler - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By larry - August 9 - 5:08 pm

  Vehicles is easy and fun to drive. Easy to park and get in and out of. I only wish I had listened to some other reviews on the bad gas mileage. I was expecting to get at least 15 miles a gallon since it is rated to get 17 in the city. But I am so dissapointed I that I get 12-13 mpg in the city. I see others say that they get great gas mileage, and others say they are getting very bad mileage like me. So maybe I got stuck with one of the bad ones: (

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  back in the day - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Dewey - August 9 - 2:23 pm

  only drawback that Ive had is seeing through the front windshield stopped at traffic lights looking up at light. other than that love the car as my 2nd car run around.

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  The Little Truck That CANT - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Heather - August 9 - 11:07 am

  This thing stinks. The the squeals loud when you make a left turn. (Its been serviced 4 times for this, Problem still Unknown) The lights on the stereo have gone out...twice. The A/C SWITCH has gone out twice, only 4 works. I am so frustrated with it. I have had enough and want my money back. The ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS scare me and I worry that I may be stuck on the side of the road with my baby boy. The inline 5 engine is crappy.

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  2009 Malibu 2LT 4 cyl - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Al Kraig - August 9 - 11:04 am

  Excellent Car. Rides and handles well. Fuel economy exceeds EPA estimates. It gets an honest 36 mpg on the open road and has an overall average (50/50 city/highway) of 29.5. It is exceedingly quiet from both road and wind noise. Minor gripes are: trunk opening size and no seat height adjustment on passenger seat. Prospective buyers for Camrys and Accords are well advised to drive the Malibu.

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  I love this car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jonothan P. Walker - August 9 - 7:26 am

  When I purchased this vehicle, I had an Avalanche Z71. Gas had just topped $3.19 per gallon and the truck was absorbing most of my disposable income. When I saw the HHR, I didnt know what to think. The price was reasonable. The truck was comfortable. The milage was supurb. Im a large person over six feet tall and 280. This car had pep and blew my mind when I first took it for a road trip. I had a full load of cargo and two people. This car hit passing gear at 85mph and left everything behind. The ride is smooth and quiet. I dont know what the critics may say, but in the last year, I have seen this car explode on the market. Lets have a lot of fun!

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  good car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By bernz1 - August 8 - 10:39 pm

  I no longer own this car, but I really have to write a good review. First car I ever financed. I owned the car for 7 years, put a ton of miles on it. Very reliable. Only problem I had was with the alternator. I owned a second generation cavalier previously and the same problem. I had the alternator replaced 3 times in a 2 month period, but after that was no problem. Unfortunately left me stranded each time, but a cheap fix and the only problem I ever had with the car. Very reliable otherwise. Good handling and fun to drive. I would recommend this car to anyone, if you get one still in good shape.

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  I Hate This Car - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Troubled Diva - August 8 - 5:02 pm

  For about the first year I had the car I had no problems with it. Now it seems like soon as you get something fixed, something else is going wrong with it. First thing on the car to go was the signal light chip, which cost $100.00 at the dealer to replace. Then the brakes went out. Changed the brake pads, and a month later they needed replaced to the the brake caliper going out, then had to smooth out the roaders. Then a few months later the cadillac converter went. Had to change tran fluid at 100,000. Spark plugs at 111,000. Currently the check engine light is back on. Also speakers blew out, and cd player spits out cds. Next car I get will for sure be a Ford product, no more GM for me!!!!

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  never again! - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jim baylock - August 8 - 4:01 pm

  Bought my Colorado in jan 2009. Everyone says gm quality is as good as anyones. So figured id give them a chance. Fit and finish very poor. Orange Peel in paint. Motor knocks on startup. Constant brake problems. Lots of rattles. Terrible seats. Traded it in today for a Honda. Glad to see it go. I will never buy a gm car or truck again.

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  I like it - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By blondbeard - August 8 - 3:40 pm

  We bought this car for my wife and for trips. It rides comfortable getting good gas mileage on highway over 30 mpg and seems to do well in town. I liked my oldsmobile better but had more power and less gas mileage. I like that we got column shift and did not have to waste space for area between seats. Has good passing power, comfortable for long ride. I would have liked key lock on trunk, but know it is more secure this way. My wife is happy with it traded in Buick Ranier, if she is happy I am happy. Love the trunk space!