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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  My Mob Car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Jessica - May 20 - 10:16 am

  We love this car. The design reminds me of the old style mob car and we get several looks and compliments whenever we are out. It runs wonderfully and the gas mileage is really good. We are getting about 30 miles a gallon. The inside is perfect for just going out and running errands, but is also great for hauling and the back trunk is perfect for traveling with your dog. I would recommend this car to anyone that is interested in it.

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  Reliability - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Candace - May 19 - 11:54 pm

  I only had my car two year and it broke down on me in the summer and it only had 67,000 miles on it. The thermostat housing melted the auto repair man said that it happened only because of how cheap the car was made and what it was made of. The car being fuel efficient is great but if something happens and it over heats then you need to get a new engine which is worth what the car it worth. I would not recommend this to anyone.

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  Never Again, will i buy a GM product - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jeff - May 19 - 7:10 pm

  I bought my cavalier new in 2003 and i am not hard on a vehicle. But since i have had this car new it has been thru 3 sets of brakes and rotors, 2 times to have the horn fixed, first time was under warranty second time cost me some major money. The fuel pump went and that was a major blow to my pocket book. Over all the car is ok but when it comes time to fix something you better have a brinks truck in your back pocket to fix the stuff that goes wrong. I have a 94 S-10 that has 126000 miles on it and it hasnt cost me near what the cavalier has cost me. So i will never buy another gm product again.

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  I wish it would work! - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Becky - May 19 - 4:50 pm

  We got this car in anticipation of our 3rd child. I love the design and drive of this car but I have a problem with the oil. The low oil light has come on frequently causing a rebuild of the valves and a baffle replacement. I also had a drain on the battery that left my mom stranded unable to get to my daughter at school in time. Now I am told the oil problem is a problem with this model and will need a complimentary top off when it comes on. UGGG. The car isnt even 3 years old yet.

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  lil red corvette - 1991 Chevrolet Corvette
  By lil red corvette - May 19 - 12:27 pm

  I bought it as a second car "for my wife".She loves it had 45,000 mi .on it. Now has 65,000 on it. A-1 car, great pickup, handles on curvy roads like a champ 23 mpg city/hwy.The small block 350 best motor made.Corvette ownership is great. we acknowledge each other on the road a very special handling auto. Can be repaired by anyone, this one has only needed an egr valve replaced ,parts and labor $150.LOTS of low end TORQUE!!!

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  Great Starter Car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Esmeralda - May 19 - 4:03 am

  I just graduated from college and wanted a car that was low in cost and nice on the eyes. The 4 door Cavalier LS Sport was the best I found. From the moment I saw this car I could not believe it was a Cavalier, I used to think these cars were so ordinary. Drives very well, and saves you a lot of money on gas.

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  Silverado full of promblems...... - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 2008xgmman - May 19 - 3:07 am

  bought new gm truck cause, thought they were the best... was i wrong..i will try to list the many defects. and there is many i will probably forget on or two.. first the day i bought new and drove home the hub caps feel off.. nice right.... one month and less than 8000 miles had to have trans work. and after that the seat recliner lever broke and was fixed and it broke again..junk right..dont ever buy on with on board tire pressure monitor. when that goes out the sensors are over $100.00 and you have to have the tire taking off the rim. more cost...and i still goes off evertime you start the vehicle. worst off the bolts fell out of the exshaust manifold and damaged the heads,

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  Best Quality Car I ever owned - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By David Howland - May 18 - 8:44 pm

  Not one repair,not one warranty claim.Ordinary maintenance only. My family uses it for all trips even though we have a newer second car. I average 30 MPG suburban driving to work and shopping. It has 127,000 miles on it and it still runs and looks like new. It has never even been tuned up.Only tires, brakes, wiper blades and oil changes.

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  100K and still going! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Russ - May 18 - 5:07 pm

  My Cobalt 4dr SS has 101,000 miles, and still going strong! What a surprise. I really wanted a Toyota, but bought this one for much less. Glad I did. Ive spent less in repairs/maintenance than any car Ive ever owned. Ive owned 3 VWs, 3 Hondas, 5 GM vehicles, 2 Chryler products, and 3 Ford products. This has turned out to be the most reliable car Ive owned (in the first 100K miles). Lets see what the next 100k does.

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  loveit - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By biglew - May 18 - 4:22 pm

  Dont know why anyone would want more car except for luxury. Not as comfortable as my Town Cars...more fun and economical, however.