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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  Lemon - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Terible car - August 8 - 1:05 pm

  Since I have had this Cobalt, it has been in and out of the shop. Power Steering went and 3 different computer chips had to be replaced and then I had to replace both sides of the wheel bearings and control arm bushings and also it stalls when coming to a stop. I am lucky that I havent been in an accident yet. It is eating up the gas after I replaced the fuel filter and air filter. I will never buy a GM car again.

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  2008 Impala dissapionting - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By carl - August 8 - 6:46 am

  Avid Chevy lover, drag racer, car collector. Traded my 03 Impala LS last week, for a new 08 LS. great sales staff, not pushy. first impressions of car, very good.Quick test drive, made the deal, thinking that I was replacing the same ol car with a new one. Wrong! The fuel mileage is better, there is poor erganomics to the car. Cup holders are awkwardly placed in the center console. the seats are hard, unable to adjust properly for comfort. The car handles poorly at high speeds, rocks and pitches in the corners. The biggest dissapointments is the sound system. It sounds like a cheap 50 dollar knock off from K-mart.The car reaks of cheap! GM has lost its way again! Im getting rid of it!

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  GREAT CAR! - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Starbreaker666 - August 8 - 3:46 am

  This car has met every expectation and demand I have placed on it and smiles back. I have been a pick-up driver most of my driving life. I just traded a great Dodge truck off for this one. I am getting 33 MPG on my highway trips. More then enough power to play around and get ones self in trouble with. The interior is simple and very functional. More then enough room for my 6 frame. I love this car.

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  Proud Bowtie Owner - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Proud Bowtie Owner! - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my TrailBlazer for about seven months. I absolutley LOVE MY TB! When I tell people how many horses the inline 6 has, they cant believe it. When it comes to handling, I think it is excellent considering its a SUV not a Corvette! The only SUV that I would consider buying after this one is the Avalanche. Thumbs up GM, you did good!

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  decent used car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By David C. - August 7 - 9:44 pm

  Bought it used for my teenage daughter last year and its been good basic transportation for her. It has plenty of pep to get out into traffic (but not too much for a teenager!) and gets pretty good mileage if driven conservatively. However, it suffers from typical mediocre GM quality/design problems : sometimes the A/C doesnt work, sometimes the info display (radio, clock, mileage, etc.) goes black, cheap plastic parts are breaking, brake pads needed replacing, one strut is going bad, CDs get stuck in the CD player, etc. Pretty much what Id expect from a 4- year old GM.

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  Love my car! - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Wikia - August 7 - 7:51 pm

  This is the first vehicle I have purchased on my own, and I am very happy with it. I wanted something simple, but my dealer located a car for me with the sports package, a lot of fun extras. I traded in my old Chevy Blazer for a more fuel efficient and safer car, and I am so glad I did. About a month and half after I purchased my car someone ran a red light and t-boned me. Both myself and my passenger were ok, and I credit that to my car. The time that my car was in the shop, I missed it. Before buying my car I test drove Hondas and Fords, but with this car you get a lot of "bang for your buck": power, safety, fuel efficiency, comfort, etc. I think I made a very smart (and safe!) choice.

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  Great Value - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Third Geek - August 7 - 12:03 pm

  Duramax w/Ali Tranny - very good value. Sticker 44.8k - Paid 35.3k. Very nice ride - itty bitty tires though (16"?) that Im gonna replace. Fuel economy on new diesels flat out stinks - no reason it should be that low. Love the interior - plenty of room. Well designed for towing and work.

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  SMOOTH RUNNING - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By JOHN - August 7 - 8:22 am

  Great little pickup for light hauling. Drives smooth & straight with excellent brakes. Manual transmission is fine. My 4 cyl gets 23 mpg. I do have trouble with the emmision pump (so the computer says) system but it does not effect the running of the unit.

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  Dollar for Dollar best value - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jimbo - August 7 - 7:55 am

  Excellent fuel mpg. Fun to drive LT with wheels,sunroof and spoiler is the way to go.. Get the ABS brakes.. Style and performance. Get the sedan not the hatch.. Sedan more room.

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  coffin - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By linda sheppard - August 7 - 6:43 am

  As soon as the HHR came out I wanted one. The old saying be careful of what you wish for you might get it sure applies to this. Loved the looks of the HHR. But it feels like you are in a coffin. I have only had Mine three weeks, am still driving my ford focus(2001) Will try to sell the HHr and buy something else. Im an older lady who should have taken more time. will buy another focus as soon as I can sell this. Please take time to really get the feel of this vehicle before buying.