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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  Avoid like the plague - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By PoorBuildQuality - July 1 - 8:16 am

  Smooth ride with a very good engine. Fuel economy is 14mpg which for a small SUV (try getting a stroller in the back and youll see what I mean) is poor. Four visits for warranty repair and I have yet to get a courtesy car. Beware, the build quality on this car is shocking. The passenger windows fall down on their own. One passenger window will only close if it is slammed and then the casing falls off inside. The glove box cover doesnt fit and is prone to opening all on its own. Seriously, look elsewhere if you can..

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  Buyer Beware - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Telesia - June 30 - 9:59 pm

  I bought this vehicle and from day one have had problems. I have the LTZ and first the sunroof and entertainment system broke on day one, they replaced it. Then the check engine light came on twice and fixed it something with the omission system covered by warranty. Then the door handle came off for no reason in my hand, not covered by warranty, dealer said this happens to Tahoes. Then intermediate steering column makes clunk noise not covered by warranty GM is aware of problem but wont recall it because not a safety issue. costs $300. I dont know about you but steering is a safety issue. No trunk space with 3rd row up. Not happy cant wait to trade it.

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  don not buy for gas mileage - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Sanny - June 30 - 7:38 pm

  traded in my 08 Tahoe because having alot of problems with it. Thought the Traverse looked cool, but the only seat that is comfortable is the drivers seat and gas mileage thus far has been well below advertised, 12-14 mpg in city. I see others say they get better mpg, so hopefully it will get better over time.

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  My new Toy - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Tonya - June 30 - 6:46 pm

  I purchased this vehicle Dec 05 with 4 miles on it. I cannot say enough about the 06 Cobalt. I truly love it. Its handling, the way it looks, warranties, etc. It was the best purchase I have ever made. And talk about great fuel economy. My household has 2 people driving this 1 vehicle and we still only fill up 1x/wk for about $25.00. The insurance is awesome too. I recommend this vehicle to everyone!

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  My 04 has been great - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Bill - June 30 - 5:33 pm

  I purchased the Colorado to move the kids in and out of college apartments. Also to carry bikes and haul small fishing boat. I have the 2 wheel drive with limited slip rear axle. With snow tires on the rear its great in the snow. I just came back from picking up a 850lb trailer in Colorado. I got 26 mpg going out and 22.7 on the way home with the trailer. I drive the speed limit. This truck has been flawless over the last 5 years. Z85 suspension is bouncy if its empty. But with a small load (120lbs)in the rear it rides smooth. The value of this pickup is its reliability and low cost.

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  4 Days Later - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Mary Beth - June 30 - 3:46 pm

  I received my HHR on a Friday and was just starting to explore all the features when 4 days later on Tuesday, a gentleman ran a stop sign and I hit him going about 30-35 miles per hour. It was a very scary few minutes. I never even had time to hit the brake. No one was severely injured. I got out of my vehicle and walked away with only the injury from the seatbelt. The air bag also went off. The windshield never broke. There was no damaged from the front seats to the back of the vehicle. The front end took the whole impact of the crash. My truck was totaled though. It only had 345 miles on it. With the 5 star safety rating and my proof of it, Ill be buying another HHR.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Richard - June 30 - 2:37 pm

  Definitely love this Tahoe. This is my second SUV. Came from a 2006 Hummer H3, which I realized was a mistake shortly after the purchase. Even thought both vehicles are GM products, the Tahoe by far is definitely a better vehicle in every category, i.e., comfort, build quality, interior, exterior, gas mileage, and ride. My girlfriend and I absolutely love to drive the HOE. Avg. city mpg is around 15.5 and hwy when cruising around 70 mph is 21. Not bad for a 5600 lb. vehicle with a V8. Plan on keeping the Tahoe for many years.

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  Buyer Beware - 2009 Chevrolet Suburban
  By MR - June 30 - 1:28 pm

  Nothing but headaches since we purchased it. Back and forth to dealership to address shuddering/vibration and power issues. (5 times so far) No codes no TSB so they say no problem, car has intermittent shudder at low speeds occurring while accelerating up incline now occurs any time accelerating. Told vibration is normal for these vehicles due to electronic drive system.hesitation when pressing on gas going up inclines lack of power feels as if struggling to get up hill,could not imagine how this could tow anything,shuddering at times is quite severe in as whole vehicle feels as if it shakes, does not seem normal.Customer service at GM is less than helpful

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  Came back home - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By cubbie - June 30 - 12:00 pm

  I have gotten nothing but compliments about my HHR. Being a Car Guy, I had been looking for an old car to restore. Didnt have to. I found the old style I was looking for in a brand new (had to be black) HHR. Once I test drove it, knew that I had to have one. Was disappointed when the one I was originally looking at got sold from under me. Got the next one off the truck (literally). I heard at the dealership that a lot of PT Cruiser owners were trading in their cars for new HHRs. I dont blame them. Thank you Chevrolet for thinking a little out of the box.

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  Not As Great - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Not As Great - June 30 - 11:54 am

  Hello bought mine used in Jan.09 love how is looks but there has been a few problems since then, found out in the inline 5 motor it overheats or runs hot when you are towing, happened a few times to me already. Motor runs loud, tire pressure sensors always need to be reset. Gas mileage is not as good as I was lead to belief for a 5 cyl it should be a lot better. I love the interior room very comfortable on long trips. Bed lights are always going out but I still Love my Colorado. One suggestion invests in a spray on bed liner the stuff that it comes with stinks. Hope this helps