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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  Mini Van - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Chris - March 18 - 10:08 pm

  We purchased this van right off the truck it still had the White plastic on the doors. My wife was so excited our first new vehicle! Right away starting problems let us stranded, then went through 2 alternators and a voltage regulator light still flickered. Then around 34,000 miles (3 yrs&1mo) the problems hit. Low oil press light, fuse pop to radio 4 times, 60amp fuse would pop controlling power doors and turn lights brake lights, then abs light and trac control light came on. We took it back to the dealer $300+ diagnostic later no issues could be duplicated out of warranty.. I hated this van for the last three months I owned it. I would never allow one of my friends or family to purchase one!

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  HHR Build Quality Questionable... - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Redlinetoys - March 18 - 8:15 pm

  I get 35mpg on the highway (manual trans) and about 24 in town. The styling is good and it is fun to drive for the money. I baby the vehicle and take extreme care of it, but question what I am up for long term regarding quality (based on experience so far). Month 1 headliner rattle getting worse fast, Month 2 Engine squeal needs repaired through service bulletin, Month 3 gold chevy emblem on back has water in it, Month 4 noticed knock in front suspension when cold, Month 5 brakes squeal at EVERY stop, Month 6 inside coat hook is stuck in up position, Month 7 Window grease in door is streaking driver window, Month 8 radio quits. Havent had it 9 months yet. Wonder what is next??????

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  Sad to see them go - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By Donn - March 18 - 6:43 pm

  Our 4th Astro, obviously we like them. A-Bb the Caravan, Aerostar & Astro when we were in the market for a small van in 1985. Thought the Astro was the best choice then, still do now. Sorry theyre no longer made

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  Im loving my new Chevrolet Impala - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By bigdiva78 - March 18 - 3:32 pm

  Although the interior is sort of cheesy, Im totally loving this car. I went from a 1999 Ford Contour to this vehicle and could not have made a better choice. It definitely serves the needs of my livelihood. Again, the interior design could use more work. For the most part, I am a satisfied buyer!

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  Great looks, good ride, poor qualities - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By jhay13 - March 18 - 11:20 am

  I love the way the vehicle looks, the decent power of the engine is sufficient and the transmission performs flawlessly. I dont like that I cant check the transmission fluid level. It has poor design quality of the interior(seating stiff). The leg room is exceptional and recommended for taller people, front and back seats. It is lacking in fuel economy, I avg.18mpg, and under performs around corners and steering quality is under performing overall. It is a great riding vehicle but I get a lot of road noise from the windows. The poor design of the rubber fittings on the windows allow for a lot of slipage around the windows when you roll them up, if you roll the window down you can pullitoff

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  Driving mine for 5 yrs now - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dixons - March 17 - 9:14 pm

  I have had mine 5 yrs now. I loved it at first, but it has begun to wear out. It has a 115,000 miles and is still going strong.

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  My last car - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By maineak - March 17 - 5:44 pm

  Being retired, I picked this used car in mind that it is probably the last car I will have. I have only driven a 1,000 miles but am impressed with gas mileage (28 mpg) around town. The front seat console is poorly designed and I dont seem able to have things easily at my reach. The heater/vent area has a vibration that is annoying and comes and goes when you least expect it. I know if I have it checked out, there will be another vibration when they put it back together so will live with it. The access panel on the passenger side keeps falling off since it is only held there with velcro tabs. Time will tell if I like car. It will have to go some to compete with my 1996 Olds (best car).

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  Great Bang for Your Buck - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By wade - March 17 - 2:32 pm

  This car is a lot of fun to drive. I admit it is not a Corvette but it is quite fast and nimble. The way it sticks to the road and corners is awesome. Its a real sleeper-people do not expect much based on how it looks. I have a 35 mile drive to work on a fairly empty mountain road and most people would be afraid to ride with me the way I drive it [hey, thats why we buy the SS] and yet I still get about 25 MPG! Like I said, its not a Vette. Now for the bad -- the road noise can be unbearable on certain road surfaces. It is so loud I may get ear plugs for 580 westbound. The interior is all hard plastic. The exterior fit is not so good -- my hood sits crooked. But for <$30K great!

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  For the Money, Best SUV on the Road - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mel Turner - March 17 - 11:16 am

  Weve put over 134,000 miles and this baby still sounds brand new. Engine so quiet, I cant hear it idle at red lights. I only use Mobile 1 synthetic oil. Only two problems since ownership, fuel gauge and ignition switch. Warranty covered them. This is the only vehicle my wife drives. We have two Volvo s80s thats collecting dust in the garage. Ill probably have to sell them. Suv only requires maintenance every 50,000 miles besides oil change. One more thing, this suv is great on the road. The only suv well ever own. We love our trailblazer. For longevity, only use synthetic oils and lubricants. With my Continental tires, I get 18 city and 22 highway.

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  Too many trips to the service dept. - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By jones - March 17 - 10:59 am

  The truck is great...when it is not in the shop for service. Little things that should NOT be problems on a truck this age - with this little mileage and that is this well-maintained - occur over and over again. And the "fix" doesnt always stay fixed. So we have had too many visits to service, and too many repeat issues. The service people are always very pleasant and willing to help. But my guess is that something about the products is sub-standard. It is very frustrating to have to take it in and do without it so often.