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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  2003 Chevy Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By chevy guy 18 - January 3 - 8:51 am

  Its a great car. It is easy to drive. The car is very reliable. It is a quality car.

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  Buy American and buy the best! - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Keith Rigsby - January 2 - 8:41 pm

  So much room, power, capability, wrapped up in such a handsome design with rock solid reliability. Thats the Suburban. There is nothing better. Filled with luggage to the ceiling, 4 adults, driving 80-85 mph going to Colorado for snow skiing last month. Averaged 17.9 mpg! 2 wheel drive and it handled the snow covered mountain passes and switchbacks with ease. Drives like a much smaller vehicle. You can keep the Toyotas and Hondas. Give me American ingenuity at its best with the Suburban. The Suburban has been a hit for General Motors since 1935! Its only gotten better over the years and the 04 is one of the best. love it! Long live General Motors and Cheverolet!

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  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By brian - January 2 - 6:28 pm

  Fun to drive. We drove over 300 miles home for Christmas and had two dogs, all of our luggage, and about 20 presents and everything fit with room to spare. It has the smoothest ride and easiest handling of anything Ive driven

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  Fun to Drive - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Pat - January 2 - 8:26 am

  In the quest to find a vehicle that suites both my husband and I we stumbled upon the HHR. Our original intention was to buy an Equinox or the like. The salesman suggested that we try the HHR. It was love at first drive. My husband is 62" and I am 53", we need a vehicle that can accomodate both of us. The HHR is perfect. It is one of the most comfortable cars Ive ever driven. The ride is smooth and the electric steering is a breeze. We traded in our 2001 Montana and are happy campers with the HHR. Now if I can only get the hang of the shifter on the floor. I keep turning on the windsheild wipers! Small price to pay for such a fun ride. Thanks Chevrolet.

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  Enjoyable SUV - 2012 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Eric Kleckner - January 2 - 4:32 am

  Have enjoyed owning this Traverse. Ready for another before body change and less room.

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  My first new van - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Regular Van - January 1 - 3:55 pm

  In spite of some less than glowing reviews by the experts I noted that consumers seemed to be quite impressed with this unit. I purchased it just before Xmas so made a 500 mile trip to Northern Sask to break it in. My wife and I were impressed with the ride, it felt more like a caddy. I set the cruise at 130 most of the time and it just purred along. I work summers in construction so require a more SUV type vehicle as well. I believe that I got this vehicle for much less cost than any Asian brand so highly rated. It has a 3.9 V6, ABS, remote start, tinted windows, 160,000 Powertrain warranty, OnStar, free road assistance, power windows and locks at a cost of $22,000.

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  The Greatest Little Car - 2016 Chevrolet Spark
  By John weeks - January 1 - 1:03 am

  I used to own the 2013 Spark and that one isnt that good mainly because of the weak engine and suspension. The new 2016 model has the 1.4 size engine which is the same reliable engine in my cruze. The only complaint I can say is I wish they made this in a turbo with some tight suspension as I would buy that in a second as I know it would be way zippier and fun. I got the 5 speed model which has crank up windows and no auto door locks which I prefer anyways. Its still a little slow to get going but once on the freeway its pretty responsive. My model was on sale for like 9K which is unbelievable for what you get when you consider the back up camera, bluetooth, apple car play although I have an android. All i can say is this car is underpriced compared to others for what you get. It may even be worth double the price.

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  Awesome - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By sbadattitude - January 1 - 12:33 am

  I love my cobalt ss. This is the most fun car I have ever owned. Its fun to drive. Its just a nice sporty car. I have never had a problem with it. Im the second owner. This car is the best car. I give it a ten plus.

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  great Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Thompson - December 31 - 4:34 pm

  Great car. I have owned many lemons. Cant wait to go out and drive it. Glad it is an American made car. I have previously owned a foreign car which has basically nickled and dimed me to death replacing head gaskets twice. Major expense especially when the parts are foreign. This car is the greatest. Best smooth ride. All the neighbors would like to have it. Glad this time I invested in a Chevy. If you purchase one Im sure you will love it..

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  Great Ride! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By YLOWCOBALT - December 31 - 1:36 pm

  I bought my 2007 Cobalt LS coupe in September of 2006 and I love it. The performance for the money ($12850) is mind blowing. The handling isnt too bad either. I can sling the passengers around and a tire never slips (not so much as a squak). Refined suspension and a fairly powerful (148 hp) stock engine make for one heck of a back road driving experience especially with the easy to operate 5-speed tranny! If stock isnt for you, dont worry, GM makes more than enough goodies for this car and if they wont do, think about it, this car is probably Americas best compact car. Aftermarket companies are drooling right now!