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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  New HHR Review - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Ceil Johnson - April 3 - 5:16 am

  HHR is a nice looking car and I have all the bells and whistles. However, it is short on power and when the sunroof is open, it makes too much noise. The insulation in the car where the open hood is, insulation is coming out. For the MSRP, the car is cheaply made and overpriced. Too much plastic inside vehicle, mirrors are not lighted and the side panels are cheaply made.

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  Great Car!!! - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By Greg - April 3 - 1:04 am

  Just traded in my 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. The Impala is great, lots of power, and loads of room. You can fit a small family in the trunk!

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  So far so good! - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Triadium - April 2 - 3:55 pm

  Ive had my 2007 Chevy Tahoe LT3 about 2.5 years now. Its been holding up really well so far. It still looks good and the interior has

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  09 Impala - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By Impala Owner - April 2 - 2:42 pm

  Ive had this car for three months and am generally satisfied. The gas mileage is excellent and the ride and handling are OK to good. The car is roomy. Outside visibility is somewhat hindered because of the door posts. No trouble so far. I would characterize this car as bland satisfactory basic transportation but other cars might offer more for the money.

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  Equinox - spirit style and spunk. - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Delbert A. Whststone - April 2 - 1:56 pm

  The car is very responsive and a delight to drive. Im quite tall and have above average sitting height, but the Equinox offers plenty of room. We have experienced some inclement weather snow ice and wet roads, but the AWD seems to give you good traction. I like its futuristic styling; it tells you right away that its all new and ready for the road.

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  Absolutely Great Vehicle for 4 years now - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mikey - April 2 - 9:41 am

  I am still amazed when I see any negative comments about this car. It has been an outstanding vehicle for me. I wonder how the Lexus owners that spent double feel when people were staring at the great looks of my car!!! 4 years now and no problems. (A gas cap and some tires) It is as fun to drive as the Mercedes 300E I once owned. The back seat leg room is my favorite feature. My 6ft tall kids love it. Very roomy, great ride and handling and has been reliable. I dont think I could have bought better.

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  2008 Impala LTZ vs my Montes - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Victoria - April 2 - 9:39 am

  My round trip daily commute to work is 120 miles. I have found the Impala to be stylish and comfortable and affordable. Would like better fuel economy. By changing brands of gasoline, I have increased gas mileage from 21 to 24/25 mpg hwy. I have owned 2 Monte Carlos, 2001 LS and 2006 LT and miss them both. 119,000 and 88,000 respectively. The Impala LTZ and SS are as close as you will come to the soon to be extinct Monte Carlos. The OnStar feature was a selling point for me and the Impala LTZ is priced right--good buy.

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  Great All Around - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By HollyB - April 2 - 8:44 am

  I am pleasantly surprised at how much I like this car. Its very roomy and quiet on the road with a lot of features not available on the competition. I have the mid-grade LT1, front wheel drive model. Its easy to see out of fore and aft, so driving, parking and backing up is easy. The gas mileage is great I have been averaging over 20 city/hiway and it only requires regular gas. Given I have only the mid level model it doesnt drive sporty but is pretty agile. However, it can feel tipsy in very windy driving conditions, which makes the steering feel a too light. Upgraded models might mitigate this. Lastly, while the seats are comfy, they are a bit too soft on long drives.

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  Love this vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mike Bojko - April 2 - 2:00 am

  The quality and comfort and convience of the vehicle is supurb. I really like the vehicle and it holds a lot more "stuff" than one would think when the back seat is folded down. I traveled to Florida recently - got 6 large dining room chairs, paint, large mirror and my personal items for my trip and had more room - just didnt have anything else to take. I was impressed. I only had 1600 miles on the vehilce when I began my trip to Florida - firt time on the highway and only got 21.6 miles to the gallon. I hope that it will improve in time. However the standard V6 has pleanty of pick up and performance. A friend of mine has the Ford Escape...my vehicle is far superior in quality, ride and quiet.

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  Happy to be in the 2000S Vehicles - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By E. Georgia Fox - April 2 - 1:01 am

  I recently owned a 96 Ford Explorer 4 WD and wanted to upgrade my vehicle. I wanted a van and checked out our local car dealer for the first time. He gave me a good deal on my Ford and introduced me to a Venture Van! I loved it the minute I seen it, took it for a drive. I am a person who prays for guidance, pray for safe trip in the 4 directions while I drive and pray for my vehicle, that it runs good and takes me where I need to go! Today, I just purchased a used one! I still cannot believe I am driving a vehicle in the 2000s catagory! I am a person who buys what I can afford. I dont want car payments, as long as it runs good for me. I am blessed and thankful.