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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  Not in snow - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By zee - February 5 - 10:27 am

  Traded our 170,000 mile Subaru in for an American Car, thinking that we could help the economy. We should of kept the Subaru. The Chevy HHR is the worst car that I ever driven in the snow. There are some things that I wouldnt be afraid to say that I like about this vehicle, but if you have to drive in the snow they are not worth mentioning. By the way, I am not comparing the HHR to the Subaru as far as winter drivability because there is no comparison. I was thinking of the 68 Mustang Coupe that I had once own.

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  Love Our HHR - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Brian Terrell - February 4 - 9:51 pm

  We have an LS with the 2.2L automatic. Highway gas mileage is excellent, about 32-35mpg. City mpg about 23- 25mpg. Only complaint is the cup holders are not user friendly for the driver or the passenger. Otherwise, we love our HHR. Excellent headroom, and we love the retro styling of the interior. Great ride quality with little to no cabin noise. Visibility out the front windshield takes a bit of getting used to, but after a while, you dont even notice. All in all, a great car. We would recommend this car to everyone!

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  Tough little truck - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By S10man - February 4 - 9:31 pm

  This truck was given to me by grandfather after he died and it has been very reliable. I have just turned 16 and Ive been rough with this truck and it still holds up. The 4.3 V6 was the best V6 ever made. Actually it is a 350 block with two cylinders chopped off. It has the same size pistons and everything. It has a lot of power and will still lay you back in your seat with over 106,000 miles on it. The only thing Ive ever had to do to it was change the oil and I put a K&N lifetime air filter in it. The only thing that has gone wrong with it is the compressor had a leak that I fixed easily. Other than that it has been great.

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  Pretty good Blazer - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By fireman25 - February 4 - 7:48 pm

  Bought this after I had a not at fault accident at a dealer down the road. Had no major problems yet...knock on wood. Replaced thermostat twice, did a flush cooling system. A little funky but can be fixed by putting in a new radiator or just JB Weld. Recommend to all who need a car for son or daughter to get to and from. Great body condition for age and mileage about 163,000. Runs great, just cooling system work

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  Excellent car, good on fuel, comfortable - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Larry D - February 4 - 7:02 pm

  Excellent car, all round driving fuel economy of 27 with 50% and town driving. Comfortable ride, solid feel on the highway. Would advise anyone to test drive if looking for an American car.

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  Its not a Corvette, but - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jim - February 4 - 2:23 pm

  Ive driven the SS for 4 months now and Im actually impressed. Being a Corvette owner as well, not many cars excite me. The Impala is actually not a total bore to drive. The shifts are crisp and at the right rpm. Actually encourages you to show some muscle to 80%+ cars on the road that this vehicle will blow away. When it comes to hauling children or family this is the car. Something you cannot do in a Corvette. The only thing that worries me a little bit is the active fuel management which shuts down to a 4cyl when all 8 arent needed. Cant get Cadillacs 8-6-4 out of my head

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  Love my Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Wendy - February 4 - 6:40 am

  This was my 1st bought new truck & I love it. I live in the country so the 4x4 gets used due to snow & mud and it has always worked like a charm. This is my everyday going to work, pulling stock trailer & my going on vacation vechicle all in one & it does it all. Other then routine oil changes Ive never had to put any repair work into it. Only thing that ever happened was the overhead console came loose & I had to tighten the screw that held it. I love this truck & sorry dealerships, but Im not going to be getting another for years probably even decades cause this is the one for me & is built to last. It still looks brand new inside & out. This is my go there go anywhere reliable truck

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  WORST CAR EVER - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By NickBell13 - February 4 - 1:37 am

  I bought a 2004 chevy impala with 95,000 for $3,600 within 4 months of owning the car I had to put $1,700 into it to fix it. Worst decision of my life!!!

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  3rd Corvette, the best one yet - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Isgt - February 3 - 10:31 pm

  I have always had a love affair with the Corvette. My 2002 was an computer nightmare, lots of electronics problems. I then moved up to a 2006, much improved but I had some quality issues. 3500 miles on my 2009. It is so much better than my 2006. I now can say this car has improved and perfected. I am impressed with how quiet and tight just a real solid car. 100% the most bang for the buck. 430 hp for $43,000 I win.

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  Good Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By PMWoods - February 3 - 9:54 pm

  I bought this truck new in 2004. I have had no real issues with it. One of the seat knobs broke (my fault) and it was recalled a couple of times, but I have had no electrical problems or engine problems. Some of the people on here amaze me - I mean, what do they want? Not a single manufacturer makes a vehicle that doesnt break. People seem to think that Toyotas are better because it says Toyota on it. Well, Toyota didnt stand behind the engine in my Tundra when it went bad. This Colorado has been the best truck Ive owned.