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 vehicle! - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mike - December 13 - 8:57 am

  We got rid of my wifes "fun car" 05 Mustang and got the Equinox and we both actually like to drive the Equinox better. At its price point, it has to be one of the best small SUVs on the market!

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  Great redesign - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By so cal moto - December 12 - 10:16 pm

  We just turn 6,000 miles on our 07 2500HD crew cab with Duramax diesel and we love this truck. We traded in our 04 1500 extended cab for this truck. We looked at the 07 2500 classic trucks, but glad we waited. Vast improvement inside & out, higher bed sides on outside, completely new interior inside, no more cheap plastic pieces. Thicker leather on seats, great new dash with radio that can mix memory between FM, AM & XM for each "FAV" setting. Towing is incredible, beats any gas engine, any size. You can barely tell you are towing, very comfortable, able to tow our trailer up Mammoth upgrade on 395 with cruise control on, passing all the sad little gas engines on the side of the road!

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  Good New Car, Fun To Drive - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jason H. - December 12 - 7:06 pm

  I love everything about my car, from the design to the looks it gets while cruising down the road. It has a smooth ride like none other, taking all surfaces as if they were glass. From the lack of wind noise, you would barely notice that you are moving, except for the fact that if you lose sight of your speedometer for more than 5 seconds, you will be travelling towards meeting your new local officer. Overall, the HHR seems to be a very well designed car.

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  2006 Uplander - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Missdeefied - December 12 - 2:32 pm

  This van is pleasing to me and my family. It is comfortable, roomy, and entertains the entire family with no issues. Great van if you have kids!

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  Look Out Below - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By rboegh - December 11 - 11:11 pm

  All other SUVs stand way below the 07 Avalanche. I purchased 2 months ago and it now has 6,000 miles of trouble free driving. I traded an 03 Yukon for it and would never go back. This is the best truck/SUV I have ever owned. I would highly recommend, and have to family and friends. The styling is dead on and they fixed the cheap interior and exterior finishes of earlier models. Look for the LT-3 with the 20" wheels option which will save about $3K from the LTZ package with same options.

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  Love it! - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Sevillano - December 11 - 6:39 pm

  Love our new Suburban! This is our first foray into the SUV market. Absolutely no regrets. Space, safety features, and every possible gadget is what sold us. LT3 with almost everything. Test drove an Eddie Bauer Expedition, but didnt live up to the Suburban as far as we were concerned. The miles per gallon are better than we expected, but dont think that means it has good mpg. It just makes you aware of having a "lead foot".

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  my tahoe - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By leftygolfer - December 11 - 6:33 pm

  I just bought my Tahoe hybrid 4wd and am very pleased with it. Rides great. Has great acceleration and excellent gas mileage for its size. I had an 08 enclave before and am much happier with the Tahoe. The Tahoe is very solid and well made.

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  Like a rock - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ross - December 11 - 11:10 am

  The ride is fairly smooth for a truck with the stiffer Z71 package. Gas mileage is much better than expected. With my tonno cover, I get over 20 mpg on the highway. Acceleration is excellent. The V8 is smooth, strong and responsive. It is very different from the V6 I am used to driving (different in a good way).

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  Update to 1/14/06 Review - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Evan - December 10 - 5:30 pm

  After 29500+ miles, this car has been excellent. PROS: Performance, passing in 3rd gear. The seats have worn nicely, I still get 30mpg on the hwy and avg 24 on my mixed daily commute. When youre really racing it though, expect 8-14mpg. Maintenance is ok, $95 for Schedule I, $130 for Schedule II at the Chevy dealer. CONS: Stock tires wore out at 18k and theres only 5 or 6 tires you can replace them with. Glove box plastic-rub rattle is annoying, same with squeak in int. LR quarter panel. MI/OH roads beat up you (and the car) with the stiff suspension.

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  Love this car! - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Jean Bell - December 10 - 2:39 pm

  Waited a long time to get it, two months. It has a sporty exterior, spoiler, et al. Luxurious interior and very comfortable. Lots of extras included. A pleasure to drive, pep, good brakes, ease of parking, and a real buy for the money. Just what I needed for around the town and brief trips. Recommend it for anyone who needs a runabout, with style.