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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  Love my Cobalt - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jim H - March 29 - 2:20 pm

  Great little car as a daily driver. Sunroof occasionally squeaks, also have a squeaky noise somewhere around the left rear side window. No problems in over a year and a half. Good factory performance, though I just ordered a cold air intake to replace the restrictive factory intake to try and eliminate throttle lag. Very comfortable and easy to drive, I’ve had no problems with blind spots with the exception of the high profile wing blocking a significant portion of the rear view. Mirrors are plenty big for side blind spots if you lean forward slightly.

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  My Dad wants my car! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By SpchRx - March 29 - 1:46 pm

  I love my car! I hadnt intended to purchase another GM product, but really was impressed by this vehicle. It has an amazing amount of backseat space, even my 61" friend had head and leg room to spare! It handles better than my last car, very responsive and easy to drive. Its soooo quiet! It has a lot of storage room in the back. The 6 CD changer XM satellite stereo with 7 Pioneer speakers is awesome! I look forward to driving every day! I havent been this excited about a car since my first new car!

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  Been a Good Car - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Red Head - March 29 - 8:13 am

  I bought the car new in 2001 and with the exception of a broken mirror control, and defective battery terminal has never had a problem. Has a lot of high end features.

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  Very Nice Practical Car. - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Moe - March 29 - 1:28 am

  First of all, dont expect this car to be a Ferrari. I bought my Prizm in 2004 with 32000 miles on it, and it has served me well since then as it has 77k on it. The engine was PLENTY of power to get you merging onto that highway or to pass the annoying driver in the city or highway. As for the transmission I do have the 3-speed auto and I would have liked to have the 4-speed auto or 5-speed manual, considering the 3-speed is quite noisy on the highway, but that not too much of a problem for me, as I turn up the music a little bit. Additionally the 4-speed does a little better in gas. Im averaging 27mpg city and 32mpg highway (interstate 72mph) and 36mpg U.S highway (60mph).

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  Amazing Z71 Truck!! - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jharken - March 28 - 9:37 pm

  This truck has it all! It looks great and the ride is even better! The inside of the vehicle is well built and everything is within easy reach. Had only one problem with a CV joint but its a 7 year old truck stuff will break eventually. And the best part is I still get 16-18 miles a gallon with this giant!

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  2006 Z51 Corvette Coupe - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rhuland - March 28 - 7:36 pm

  Picked this up used. Was a NCM delivery. Very clean and still like new. I love everything about this fine piece of Americana. I have been waiting a decade to get this vehicle and now could not be happier. I love the torque, HP, fit and finish, HUD and on and on. I highly encourage you to get one if you can.

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  Ford Girl, turns Chevy - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By michelle n - March 28 - 3:43 pm

  I recently traded my 2003 Ford Explorer for the 2009 Chevy Cobalt LT XFE 4-door sedan, in sport red, with a manual 5 speed transmission. I love the way this car rides and handles. I especially love the mpg this car gets, I travel 40+miles, six days a week, and Im averaging 29.9 mpg. Compared to my Explorer, this is like getting gas for half price. Considering this is a compact car, it is extremely roomy, with quite a large trunk. I cant believe how quietly this car travels, with no road noise to be heard. The OnStar is a plus also. Great car for the price. I love it!

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  GREAT LITTLE ROCK - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By corky - March 28 - 2:29 pm

  Love the darn thing so far. Have had no problems and get great mileage in and out of town. Bought it used and would buy another. Kept the suburban for the heavy hauling. We call it our little burb.

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  91 RS Fun to drive - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 13r4ndy - March 28 - 2:12 pm

  I bought my camaro about a year ago, and it is an amazing ride. Built like a tank, but drives ever so gracefully. Takes corners and curves like a pro at any speed!

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  weak econobox - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Bob - March 28 - 12:15 pm

  Base model with a few options. Looking for Totota reliability, but used car dealer cant seem to fix horn/cruise control issue (they dont work, and need a new relay). Low seating. Checked oil after 1 month, 3.5 quarts low! Yikes, that doesnt leave much. After filling oil, a month later it needs 1.5 quarts. Another reviewer noted his mother ran her Prizm 3 times with no oil maybe because it burns. Someone else said it burns oil at highway speed. Could be. I dont see any drips in the garage. 3- speed auto stinks on the highway, car really doesnt like going over 60. Engine is making lifter noises. If engine holds up, this will be good around-town econobox for my HS kid.