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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  TrailBlazer Redux - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By richgimmel - January 4 - 7:14 am

  This is my second TrailBlazer. My first was an 06 that I gave up without a single problem after 70,000 miles. GM was discounting the new 08 models so heavily I had to buy one. This is a very well-built vehicle. Naturally, GM decided to shut down the plant that makes them.

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  A Solid Performer - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By richgimmel - January 4 - 7:07 am

  I kept this car for three years and put 70k miles on it. Never had a single problem with anything on it. This is a very well-built vehicle. So much so, that my replacement for it was another TrailBlazer, a new 08 that GM had heavily discounted.

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  Impressive Tank - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By buckytse - January 4 - 1:59 am

  I am very glad I bought the SS. It drives great. I have, however, noticed a fair amount of torque steer (basically, I have renamed the gas pedal the "lane changer"). I had a few minor issues with the computer that all boiled down to a bad gas cap problem solved easily. The jury is still out on the tire pressure sensors. Interior is a kinda small for a full size, but it has all the room I need for myself, my wife (and her walker) the three kids and two hockey bags. I was very dissapointed with GMs little trick of wanting $650 to "activate" the radio (with a computer click) for XM recption which is already built in. I guess CDs it is. Fuel economy is better than expected. AVG 22.5.

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  2008 HHR LT - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Big Dog - January 3 - 11:58 pm

  Since Purchase have put 8K on with no issues at all. 2LT Pkg great and radio with upgraded speakers is very good. Car comfortable but I will never get used to the window buttons in the middle console! 17 inch tires great on dry pavement/wet but snow is so-so. Well satistfied so far!

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  Detroits Little Muscle - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Michael - January 3 - 9:04 pm

  I bought this car for my wife after trading in on a 2001 GMC Jimmy. Havent had a whole lot of problems with the car. There were at times that it seemed to run rather hot, but the dealershp mechanics stated that running up over 235+ degrees is common. As long as the light doesnt come on and the vehicle doesnt run sluggish it perfectly OK. Also at around the same time the vehicle tended to want to stall out especially at sudden stops. But after a needed oil change and running the 93 octane with an octane booster/ injector cleaner it went away. The 148hp motor is very responsive and doesnt hesitate to peel the tires from a dead stop. I find it fun to drive when the wife lets me

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  Best Vett Yet - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Robert - January 3 - 8:20 pm

  I have owned Corvettes since my first in 1974. I bought it new upon my return from Vietnam. I traded my 2004 in on this one and it is by far the best one I have owned. My next one may be the new ZR1 that just came out, but I am not sure.

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  Definetely a summer car. - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Kellie Schaefer - January 3 - 2:58 pm

  HHR is definetely a summer car not a winter car. Ice gets between the bottom of lower front fender and door and freezes up preventing us from getting in and out of car. Outside of that it has been a great car, my average MPG is 27.

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  Good basic transportation - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Gabbie - January 3 - 1:55 pm

  Im graduating from a 2002 Subaru Outback. I needed AWD and the ability to fit 3 car seats across the back seat. The 2005 Equinox with cloth seats fits the bill. The back seat is cavernous and really easy for the kids to get in and out of their seats (Graco SnugRide, Radian 80, Graco Nautilus). The AWD is great, much superior to the FWD I was renting. I like the higher ride as compared to a car. I like the suspension as compared to a truck chassis like a Trail Blazer. The interior is cheap and basic, but I dont care about any of that and didnt want to pay up for it. The price is hard to beat. All in, this is just what I was looking for.

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  General Motors built a Qualtiy Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Obsessive on trucks - January 3 - 11:42 am

  Fabulous in every way. Quiet, strong, versatile, and gets better mpg than Tundra. Have owned every truck known to man. This by far is the best beast out there! Has the appeal of a Cadillac, with plenty of features that would have you believe you were driving one.

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  300,000 miles - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By contaucreek - January 2 - 4:40 pm

  Bought used in 04. Drive 100000km a year and have about 480000km on it now. Odometer burnt out, dash lights burnt out, countless rear strut mounts,a/c failed first due to wiring then due to probable clutch problem, usual headlight wiring issue, does not burn a drop of oil, reliable like you wouldnt believe (touch wood)