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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  Great car! - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By Happy Owner - July 7 - 7:55 am

  Ive had my LT2 for about five months. I drive it mostly back and forth to work (no freeways) and average 27mpg! I took a couple 300 mile freeway trips and got about 33mpg.

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  Great Car - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Scott Sherman - July 7 - 6:53 am

  Well I have had the car for over 2 weeks now. Ride is great and the engine is amazing. The car just wants to go and go. The car corners great and handles bumps amazing well, alot better than my 1994 Camaro.

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  Our HHR - Great Car! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Dave - July 7 - 5:56 am

  It was my wifes decision to buy this car. She purchased the 2006 Red Spring Edition package. As we also have a Trailblazer, I felt that she could have the HHR and Id keep driving the TB. Ive never been able to convince myself that I could get by with 4 cylinders having grown up in the muscle car age group. But, weve parked the TB in the garage and have driven the HHR 99% of the time! I was wrong about owning a 4 banger as this car has proven to me time and time again. Dont settle for the 2.2 engine, to sluggish! Buy the 2.4 with 175hp! It is quite zippy! Our HHR still has people turning their heads when we drive by and others stop us to ask questions about it. Buy one! Youll like it!

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  2009 Equinox LT - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Gary - July 6 - 5:14 pm

  I have owned the Equinox for 6 months. I am getting 24 MPG on the road. I have owned Tahoes for 15 years and theis Equinox has as much acceleration as the Tahoes. Not one problem with the car in the first 6 months. Nothing to fix or replace.

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  an excellent car for first later drivers - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By john brittain - July 6 - 3:48 pm

  an ideal car for small family.all the features needed for an efficient vehicle and good engine performance. fold down rear seat for lots of storage space.disc radio with very good sound.rear door safety lock feature. strong body construction. manual locks and windows which i wanted to avoid costly electrical repairs(as on a pontiac ste which i had.)

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  Good Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Rohn - July 6 - 1:45 pm

  I have enjoyed this regular cab truck. after reading the edmunds review my resonse is this is a truck not a muscle or luxury car. I average 21 - 23 city. 25 - 27 highway with the I4. it has plenty of power. I had the bed fully loaded taking my sons stuff to Iowa from Michigan. I got 24 on the way there and 27 on the way back (empty). I have had no major issues with the truck. It is comfortable to drive and I am a big person. Plenty of leg room.

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  AVEO Review - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jbbrack - July 6 - 10:00 am

  We have had our Aveo for three months and have no complaints about the car. It replaced a small pickup we used around town and is mainly used for shopping and local trips. The space behind the rear seats is great for groceries and other small items. I have also used it to carry heavy items up to 800 pounds with no significant change in handling characteristics. The seating is comfortable and the headroom and visibility equivalent to a much larger vehicle. I am impressed by the quality in the car for the price I paid for it. All in all, a real bargain.

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  Built Like a Rock - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By bgblockchevy - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Monte since 11-02 and I have been averaging about 20k miles a year. Great car, but I find getting performance parts are hard to find. Drives and handles the road very well. For a NASCAR style car, it should be a rear wheel drive car.

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  Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Robyn - July 6 - 10:00 am

  wonderful and affordable SUV

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  I will miss this car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By The Dude - July 5 - 10:42 pm

  I bought this car in 2004 for a steal of a price at 90,000 some miles. Mostly had regular maintenance done to it, The only thing I wish is I had known more about cars when I got it. I drove this thing though a flood, it performed a fancy winter move that saved my life and it has never broke down on me. Given the model type, plastic bumpers hit a lot by other cars and such yet no problem and engine size. Its at 161,000 right now but will probably only hit around 200,000. All and all I liked this car, but I am thinking I will good ford next due to GMs Bankruptcy.