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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  nice change - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Beez - August 4 - 8:58 pm

  We where in the market to replace our Mini Van and did not want another. We also did not like the Large SUVs so the Chevy traverse cross over was the perfect fit. It comfortable fits 8 and has room for our junk.

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  NEVER WILL I BUY CHEVY AGAIN - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By piece of CRAP Chevy - August 4 - 8:49 pm

  Ok I bought this car 2 years ago and still financing. It had 20,000 when I bought it lets see once it hit 30,000 went down hill from there first electronic power steering keeps goin out every 2 months and whole car locks up and shuts down almost been in many accidents due to this brakes go bad every 3 to 6 months my windshield leaks when it rains, tires that where on it were loud, I paid 13,000 for a piece of junk and know I am looking to get rid of it maybe off a Cliff haha any suggestion on how to get out of the loan when the car is worth less then loan

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  Its fine for adults - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Celia - August 4 - 8:18 pm

  So far no major problems with the car. It has good gas mileage and what really made me buy it is its exterior appearance. It reminds me of a Lexus SUV but without the price tag.

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  My first chevy - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By leslieann56 - August 4 - 8:11 pm

  My family always drove Fords, I had owned 2 myself before I got my Impala. I love driving it. Handles well, very reliable, great gas mileage(over 29 mpg on highway at 70-75 mph). Large trunk for trips. Best car I have ever owned, and intend to stick with them. Only problem I had, was the radio died, and had to be replaced. Unfortunately, the new radio does not have the auto volumn adjust feature, I really liked it.

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  love this lil car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By nanafonda - August 4 - 3:59 pm

  I was searching for a used car, well a man I know buys wrecked cars and fixes them up, I happened to see this lil 08 Aveo, and bought it on the spot, the front bumper is cracked but other than that it looks great, I drive alot because I am a grandma and the Aveo gets great mpg. The check engine light was flickering and the mechanic said it just needed an o2 sensor, not bad for 48000 miles runs and drives like new, o and the bumper is only 130.00 online!

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  My Little Red Wagon - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jody Porretta - August 4 - 3:12 pm

  I just purchased my new 2009 HHR LS thanks to the cash for clunker program and so far I just love this I dont know whether to call it a car, truck,wagon. Mine is red with a 5 speed stick and it is so much fun to drive. I can throw all the kids and dogs in and away we go. I am so happy to own this.........

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  Cash for clunkers??? NO WAY - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By BowtiesRule! - August 4 - 10:32 am

  Best truck ever. My parents bought it in 01 used with 62k on her. We replaced the fuel pump, all u-joints, and little stuff. After that, she has been running great. Now I just bought her from my parents for 3k and man, what a steal. This truck is still mint condition/unmolested/virgin/etc. I will never add anything to it. Stock radio still works great, speakers are great. This truck is just flat out amazing. Now, I just replaced the front u-joints and the rear upper ball joint, but didnt bother me. Truck has 190k on her and still has a lot of life in it. I love the 350 5.7l vortec. One of the best engines gm ever made. Strong and powerful!

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  Should have got the V8 - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Craig Biggio - August 4 - 9:53 am

  New Silverado LT1 ext. cab with 4.3 V6. Great upgrade on the grille from the older models, interior very sleek, not too fancy, just "domestic". Overall satisfied with the truck except for the fact that there is a vibration in my exhaust. Feels like a strain on the motor, happens at low speeds and accelerations. Dealer mechanic said its not a problem, and common on all 4.3 v6s. But its annoying as heck. Especially annoying that he mentioned the V8 never has this problem. Nothing he can do about it. So its something I have to live with. Great truck, would be perfect with a nice "quiet" v6. Want to save on the gas? My advice would be to try the hybrid, just dont get the V6.

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  Its gone after 8 months - 2008 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Doug - August 4 - 6:10 am

  This van has been nothing but problems since the day we bought it. We have kept it 8 short months and are trading it in today. The sensors continue to fail, the air leak in the front window, poor braking system, lack of interior style and comfort. I am a Chevy/GM guy but its time to switch to a Town and Country. GM was smart by dropping this van. Trading it in while its still under warranty so whoever gets it can get all the problems fixed under the bumper to bumper warranty.

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  Still runs great - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By cjsacto - August 3 - 10:18 pm

  I have had this car for eight years, and it is now ten years old. Mechanically, it has been completely reliable. Aside from a new battery four years ago, it has never hesitated to start. Good gas mileage, good acceleration. Ive had some issues with alignment and uneven tire wear. However, there are some other problems. The inside door latch on the drivers side broke off, and I spoke to another owner of the same make who said theirs was broken, too AND they knew several other people with the problem. Mine has some sort of electrical problem the electric windows dont roll back up right away, and the dummy lights and dome light burn out all the time.