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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  Best Vette Yet - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By gunmandon - October 6 - 1:31 pm

  The car is the best Vette I have ever owned. There is not one thing I would change, except I would like to be able to purchase the Z06 as a rag top, my perfect Corvette. I bought it to drive, and I drive it daily. A world class sports car is here, and it is a great value for the price.

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  Great value & safe - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By mlmotorsport - October 6 - 9:56 am

  I bought the HHR to use it as a work vehicle because I haul a variety of odd objects on a daily basis. It carries a ton of stuff for such a compact vehicle. I soon found out that the HHR was much more than just a reasonably priced fuel sipping "stuff" hauler. Last week I was rear-ended by a full size Dodge cargo van. I was stopped but the van hit me so hard that I was pushed 20ft by the impact (with my brakes applied). I figured the tailgate would be in the back seat judging from such a hard hit but there was almost no visible damage other than some scuffs on the bumper. The Dodge could only be so lucky. Its bumper had to be pried off of its front wheels before it could even move.

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  I love this car - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Heidi - October 5 - 4:16 pm

  This is one ofthe best cars I have ever had. I love the way it does not look all minivanish. I am a young mom, and it is still stylish.

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  Keeping it as log as possible - 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Great little car - October 4 - 2:44 pm

  Took my big Ford F-150 off the road as gas was getting too expensive for the mileage I got on it. Bought the car with a lot of mileage and little rust. Runs great, great on gas. Close to 40 mpg. Put 12,000 miles on it with no problems. Replaced rear brakes and self installed a new heater core. Very little room under the dash. Im very impressed with the vehicle. Obviously the previous owner(s) took care of it especially up here in Maine with all the salt on the roads in winter

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  A Real Test Drive..... - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By lk - October 4 - 11:06 am

  Lets talk Turkey. I love this car. I had researched it and looked at it and when my 1998 145,000ml Chevy Blazer finally gave out this was the car I headed to. 2 days ago I was driving the middle lane when a car pulled out from my right to cross over 3 lanes in front of me. I laid on my horn and steered left as the car that pulled out still was crossing left with no signal. I slammed on my breaks thinking that I should have gotten gap protection when the entire car locked up and stopped me from smashing into this guys rear end. I have never been that close to an accident and that second I thanked god I was in this car. I know that sounds dramatic, but what if my kids were with me? good car.

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  Love my Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By john morgan - October 4 - 10:00 am

  Couldnt ask for more for your money and the best part is that it is American made!!!!!Not some car company overseas!

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  great car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By dental lab - October 4 - 10:00 am

  rides like a big car

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  Reliable Truck - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Liz - October 4 - 7:58 am

  This is a reliable nice looking truck. I am a single mom and have felt very safe taking my son on long road trips in this vechile. Enough room for packing and shopping too. Great in snow.

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  Awesome Ride! - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Robert A. Hill - October 4 - 7:05 am

  This is my third Avalanche and at this point cant think of another ride I like better. I liked the other two so much that I had this one Customized by Southern Comfort. Now its not only a great ride but a real eye catcher.

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  Style, speed, handeling and 32mpg - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Mitch - October 3 - 7:06 pm

  Just got the car, amazing performance all around. This car is as fast as my LT1 1995 Camaro was yet the 304HP V6 averages 32mpg+ on the highway with the cruise set to 67mph. Over all just and amazing package and fun to drive car. Great cornering, acceleration, and drop dead gorgeous styling.