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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  You love it or hate it - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By christopher - January 28 - 12:10 am

  Fun to drive. Everyone asks what it is and I love telling them. I wanted a car with fenders and this had it. I like the PT Cruiser but it was way too small. This is everything I wanted and needed!

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  IM A GIRL AND I LOVE MY MONSTER!!!!! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By edyta - January 27 - 2:33 am

  CAMARO 2 LT/RS package.Im driving it for 2 months now and I love it !!!!!! However Im planning to get 2SS/RS to have even more fun.

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  What I never knew! - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Michael O - January 26 - 10:39 pm

  Here I am in the 40s ownering the best of the best, meaning Ive always believed foreign cars were the best no matter what it was. So after the last foreign vehicle I experience (Isuzu) with breaking down and losing time from work, finally decided to buy American! And let me tell you what a different, the ride the performance the look the feeling and very proud of owning an american builded suv s-10 blazer 4wd zr2. Going on 3.5 years strong and recommend it to anyone whos planning on buying a car or truck!

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  I love my car! - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By lia - January 26 - 2:00 pm

  I had a great experience with my Cavalier. I love its design. I have made some really long trips recently and motor is still excellent. I highly recommend it.

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  Kims Avalanche - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Kim - January 26 - 1:37 pm

  I really enjoy my 2002 Avalache . Its a lot of fun! Very comfortable. Very big though. Its a beautiful design as I have running boards and to help older freinds in and out of truck. Cold days the seat warmers are GREAT! I love my burnt orange color and enjoy all the diversities in accomadates all my families different interests! The ONLY problem I have is I cannot get my 2 kayaks up onthe roof with the standard tie downs! My old van I could. I will shortly be purchase racks for my truck and that will solve that. I anxiously await the falling of the gas prices!! I LOVE my Avalanche! Sooo comfortable!

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  Somebody Stop Me! - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 10RENT2OWN - January 25 - 11:18 pm

  Some 20 years ago they told me "youd get over with enjoing driving". Oh, No!!! Not after I got my 1st Vette. Is 12,000 mi in 6 mo a lot for a 2nd vehicle? I meet people at car shows and wonder-"600miles in a year, 900miles in a year" How can you own a Vette and only look at it - I know - the exterior gets the highest ratings. But still I cant stop driving it, mostly w/top down. Somebody stop me!

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  A great SUV to own and drive - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Zeke - January 25 - 10:13 pm

  Ive had two 2002 Trailblazers LT, 1st one new , drove to 78,000 miles. Very reliable and great riding comfort on highway. Bought another 2002 used with only 18,000 miles because the first one was so reliable. Will keep this one for another couple years. Dont know why so called experts rate this car so low. May buy anew one in a couple years. Only one major complaint--The heating/AC controls are very difficult to figure out and use. Tell them to go back to the hot/cold with a fan control.Nothing complicated.

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  2005 impala review - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By ddathe - January 25 - 4:47 pm

  I bought a 2005 impala ls with 25,000 miles and I have found no problems with it. This is a very fun to drive car. I am over 6 tall and the Impala gives me a very comfortable ride, while still giving plenty of room for passengers. I have seen no issues with the interior, exterior, or the handling of the car. This was a very nice upgrade from my Ford Taurus.

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  Da-Da-Daymm - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Take_me_away - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I love my moms mali..we just got it a week ago and since she has her Corolla i get to drive her car to school. Take the Back twisty road and find the longest possible way to get to school. C mon chevy..tell the truth..i know its not 200 hp..cuz it feels like more..Its especailly great to cruz at night and follow your friends around with their cars..the thumb shifter is soo cool..my cousin even asked my mom to take it to the military ball to impress her friends. Now I Need a defender against people wanting a ride because they see alot of room in the back...she thinks its crip (Nice,Cool)..2 thumbs and 2 toes up for chevy..

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  Best Bang for the Buck - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sgtpara - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I did a lot or researching on line and to get everything I wanted in a car it would have costs 30K or more. The Malibu save me 10K plus it has all the great safety features, good ride etc. My only concern will be the reliability. However, my other two cars have been GM vehicles and I have not had a problem with either one. If you are on the fence. Go for it.