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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  Must hve runing boards - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Corey Cox - January 18 - 2:07 am

  I love my HHR. I do a lot of driving and it is great for long trips. The sound is very nice and the 2 selling points for me are the curves and the leg/head room. I am 6 foot 2 and have no problems at all. I love to keep it waxed but I do not have running boards and due to the design the front tires kicks up stones and gravel to the point that the paint is destroyed infront of the rear tires. Chevy repainted it once but did not offer to put on the running boards. I am not happy that i have to sell it but it does not drive very well in the snow! I have to get a 4x4.

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  First SUV - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Julie - January 18 - 1:23 am

  With gas prices were soaring, my husband and I no longer wanted to keep a truck and we traded in his 1997 Silverado for the Equinox. We wanted a small SUV with AWD for winter driving. It handles well in bad weather rides comfortably, but it hesitates when trying to excellerate on the highway. I didnt like the window controls on the console at first, but I got use to it. Gas mileage was great on a trip to Ocean City MD. We got about 29 mpg. My husband was excited about that. There is not a lot of room in the front. The cup holders are cheap and awkward. Despite a few negatives, we both like our Equinox. Unfortunately, my husband still misses his truck, even though he likes our new SUV.

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  Great Little Car! - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By sensationalsens1978 - January 17 - 9:03 am

  It is a perfect car for getting me to work and back. I havent had any serious problems with it. However it is starting to rust, but that will be fixed later this year! If you are looking for a safe, reliable, and affordable vehicle, look no further than the Cavalier!

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  My best car - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By greg miller - January 17 - 4:20 am

  This car has never been back to the dealer. I do my own oil changes and inspections. Original battery, brakes. Just replaced tires two months ago. Everything works like new. Best cornering full sized car; like its on rails. Great sound system. Good leg room. Big trunk. Black. Dale Earnhardt car. 25 MPG on 80 MPH trips to Las Vegas.

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  Good car poor fuel mileage - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lon - January 16 - 4:42 pm

  This is the second LTZ weve purchased and both have the same fuel mileage about 24 mpg highway not even close to the 28 mpg advertised and both cars have over 10,000 miles on them. the rest of the car is great, good design great stereo and it handles great. I wouldnt recommend this car with the 3.9L engine because of the poor mileage but would recommend the car with the 3.5L engine instead.

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  Love the truck - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Greg - January 16 - 5:44 am

  I keep my trucks a long time. Last two were 11 years and 9 years. I plan on driving the Colorado for at least 12 years or more. We love this truck. Id ordered it and had exactly the options on it I wanted. I am a little disappointed in gas mileage. Tows my 14 ft fishing boat great. My last truck was a K1500 and I was concerned the small 5 ft bed would be too small. But its been adequate. Handles great in the snow.

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  Prism cant beat it - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By tdhicks - January 16 - 4:25 am

  I bought this car in 2000, and was using it to deliver papers about 400 of them daily. On Sunday this car would carry 2000 plus pounds of paper up and down hills, through snow, rain etc. All I did was change the oil, breaks and tires. After completley beating this car up, a paper route will tell you if your car is worth anything. I tell you this has too be the best car ever. The door handle inside finally brooke off, but thats opening and closing it 200 times a day. The transmision and engine are still in great shape. After 7 years of using it on paper routes I just spent 600 dollars to completely redo the suspension and bearings. The car is like brand new. Chevy needs to make this car

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  2009 Chevrolet HHR LS1 4 spd. auto - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By McM - January 16 - 1:09 am

  Just got the HHR 3 wks ago, fun to drive, handles nicely. Good fuel mileage for not being broke in yet, 22 mpg in town, 31 on Interstate, also uses Flexifuel. Comfortable seats with lots of leg room in the front, havent been in the back yet. Back seats fold down completely flat for a full hauling area and front pass seat folds down also. Rear storage underneath back hatch area above the spare tire door. Stereo is nice with lots of optional functions & MP3/iPod/Sat., plays MP3 or WMA CDs also. 1 yr of free OnStar is a great thing to have also & 3 mo. of Sat radio. Personal options digital display setup on dash. Auto on/off headlights, Remote Vehicle Start to 200 ft. (we love it!)

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  not happy w my chevy - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By not_happychev - January 15 - 7:28 pm

  I traded my 12 Silverado for a 14 Silverado. Big mistake. I have been at the dealer to many times for recalls. The truck shakes at the start off from a stop and at hwy speeds. The dealer said it was the tire pressure. Not so even with correct pressure. I have also had a rear whining/grinding sound which I was told it was tire noise. After 3 trips back to dealer I was told it was the rear bearings. After replacing the bearing noise still there. The truck now has 15k mi and I am ready to look elsewhere for a better product. Good thing I leased the vehicle.

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  You havent bought one yet? - 1994 Chevrolet Lumina
  By TonyVA - January 15 - 7:15 pm

  My parents bought this car in 1996 with 40000 miles on it. They gave it to me last year with 276000 miles, and still running strong. It now has 304000 and the motor is still running strong. They had to replace the altenator several times, thats about it other than regular maintenance.