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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  Best bang for your buck - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By gregp1 - July 26 - 6:04 pm

  Traded in a 2007 GMC 4x4 pickup due to a job transfer and a 60 mile a day drive to and from work. Took a while to get use to smaller size, I am a 62" man, but after a week it is comfortable. Mileage is super, 28 mpg average with spirited driving. Ride comfort is great with SS seats. Handles like it is on rails. Turbo 4 cylinder is fun, runs better than most V8s. To bad GM is stopping production, this car puts a smile on your face.

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  OK...But Could Be Better! - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dne_thompson - July 26 - 5:45 pm

  I bought my 2003 Chevy Blazer in June 2006, making me the 2nd owner. It had 32,000 miles and was just under warranty! By the time the warranty was up, about 2 months, the ball joints needed replaced as well as brakes and rotors. Had all work done under warranty! About every 15-20,000 miles, it has to have the ball joints replaced for some reason. I now have 86,000 miles on it and it is due for ball joints again. Also, my air conditioner quit working as well as my drivers side window. THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS! Also, have to do brakes and rotors about once a year. It is a good vehicle to drive though, especially with the sun-roof open and the cd player going. Great in snow!

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  09 traverse in Ontario Canada - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By terry shoemaker - July 26 - 4:30 pm

  I have driven my 09 Traverse for 1 month and the first thing I notice everytime I drive it is the great stable ride and the level of quietness. I have the XM satelite radio ( in the 2LT with the 10 speaker Bose sound system. Also a great feature. Acceleration is terrific, the electric T gate with this model is something I got used to immediately. Front and rear a/s and heat, cools it down fast.Tilt and telescoping steering wheel, electric lumbar, pan and seat back,customizes the sitting experience. Glass is free of distortions, reverse sensers and camera monitoring have come to good use many times. A great vehicle, and it looks great in dark blue met.

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  Great for family and friends! - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Missy - July 26 - 5:40 am

  This is our first new vehicle and we are very impressed. Its nine seats are perfect for hauling everyone around.

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  HHR 2006 LT - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jesse - July 26 - 1:06 am

  We fell in love when we saw it on the internet.The first Chevy dealer we went to knew nothing about the HHR and told us they were new and that was about it.We decided to go to a different dealership. Walked onto the lot and found our beautiful HHR just off the truck, We could hardly wait to get it home.Ours has all the bells and whistle and we purchased a Lo-jack .added mud flaps and a bra.We took it on vacation and had a blast. People asked to sit in it and were amazde at the room it has.We have had it since 2/06 with only one problem with the power booster on the breaks.We are considering buying another HHR in the future,

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  Nice car, underappreciated. - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dennis - July 25 - 8:49 pm

  I bought my Malibu LS new in April 2003, and am in the market for a new car now. NOTHING has ever gone wrong with it, its given me zero problems. Its been a while though, Im a little bored with it, I make more money than I did, so Im shopping again. Ive test driven BMW, Lexus, Mercedes and Audi, expecting to be "wowed"......and I really wasnt. Granted, my Malibu has every option there is, and I dont pretend its in the class of any of those cars I mentioned - but it really stands up very well comparatively, in features, drive and quality. Its certainly made me appreciate it more. Certainly not an exciting car, but definitely both reliable and nice.

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  2009 Corvette ZR1 - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ginhg - July 25 - 7:27 pm

  The most dynamic Corvette that I have owned. This is, honestly, more car than I know how to drive! The acceleration is scary, rides a little rough, but what the heck 638hp and exhaust tones that rival a Lamborghini when the baffles open up. The best Corvette yet!

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  98 Venture - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Englebert - July 25 - 5:40 pm

  Ive read the reviews on this vehicle and many mirrored our own experience! The headlight lens falling off, drivers window failing, electrical problems, gasket repair, etc. I think weve experienced an above- average amount of repairs on our 98 Venture... including a near-fatal water pump failure that almost doomed the car. Its still going at the 85K mark, but having owned a good mixture of foreign- made and domestic cars, this one is low on the quality.

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  HHR Just got it - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By JoeSki - July 25 - 1:54 pm

  I have my New HHR for about a month, and I really like to drive it. I LOVE the look of it- cool, different. I find the car fun to drive. It is NOT a luxury vehicle, and I did not expect it to be, especially at the bargain prices it is going for. I just wanted a fun second family car that the two of us could use, or fir more in the back if needed. So far, I love it.

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  BLAK BEAUTY - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ROB RICHARDSON - July 25 - 8:53 am

  THE NEW SILVERADO IS A GREAT TRUCK! IT RIDES LIKE A FINE AUTOMOBILE. THE POWER IS EXCELENT. IN CITY TRAFIC OR HIGHWAY PASSING IS NO PROBLEM. TOWING IS DONE EASILY ALSO. WHEN PULLING A THREE THOUSAND POUND TRAILER ON MILD GRADES IT DOESNT DOWN SHIFT EVEN WILE USING THE CRUISE. THREE HUNDRED MILE CRUISES ARE COMFORTABLE. THE WIND NOISE IS MINIMAL. ON THE HIGHWAY I GET 17.5 MPG AND 15 IN THE CITY.