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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  Totally Awesome Auto - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By jamie1502 - December 28 - 6:06 pm

  I recently bought the Chevy HHR my driving experiance with the car is just awesome. It handles just like a high end sports car, ride is so comfortable. I took it twice too Little rock ark. from ft.myers fla 1200 miles each way the fuel economy is great averaging 29 to 31 hwy miles. I have the royal blue metallic. it has just the right amount of chrome to set it off and turn heads. The only drawback is where they put the power window controls. You have to take your eyes off the road to find them. If anyone wants a truly great auto in a small SUV try this one you will not be disappointed. More than plenty off horsepower and comfort and leg room. Get this one its great

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  Worst minivan ever - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Chasm - December 28 - 12:36 pm

  This is the third GM van I have owned. We have had numerous problems with the power doors failing - either not opening at all, or not staying closed and requiring a manual close. The brakes wear out very frequently, and the front end will not stay in alignment. It has now developed serious electrical problems - short circuits are blowing fuses, and the power door motor wants to stay on continuously. Luckily our lease is up, we are returning the vehicle and will not buy another GM car.

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  Switched from Ford to Chevy - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Mike - December 28 - 9:36 am

  I finally switched over to try a Chevy. Ive been driving a new Mazda B4000 (Ranger) and it just wasnt cutting it. This new truck drives great, feels like a car, and is super comfortable.

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  Hate this car - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By renee - December 27 - 10:59 pm

  I bought my Equinox in Oct 2008 with less than 300 miles on it. 6 weeks later, it had already been in the shop 3 times. It was pulling and it turns out I had defective tires. Now, 3 years later I have had to buy new tires again, had to get my rotors replaced three times in 6 months, and there are noises galore. Clunking, clicking, shaking, you name it. This car is a total lemon and I would get rid of it in a second if I didnt have so much negative equity in it!

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  Love my 2000 Chevy - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jimj - December 27 - 7:40 pm

  I have had very little problems with my truck. I use this truck for work and haul my bobcat around. I have hauled my boat over 1200 miles with one trip with this truck. No problems. The engine finally went out at 295,000 but I replaced with a Chevrolet engine that had 93,000 miles and I know it will run 200,000 more for me. I will own nothing else than a Chevrolet. They mean it when they say " built to last ".

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  Shame on Chevrolet - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JVJR - December 27 - 6:53 pm

  I bought this car new in 2003. Being a Chevy guy I thought I could look over a couple of things. However at 60,000 and 5 brake changes and 1 rotor change enough is enough! ( I could mention more problems but will not embarrass Chevy futher ) There is a problem with the brakes on the 2003 Malibu. Everyone knows it and us new car purchasers should be given some compensation. My wife drives this car to a part time job plus takes my daughter tom Pre-K. It is lucky if she gets the car up to 45 mph. We live in a rural area with not alot of stop and go traffic. Come on Chevy before you go belly up and amit this problem or I am done with GM cars....

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  Im loving my 1st SUV - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By rich prestia - December 27 - 3:55 pm

  This is my 1st. SUV and Im 45 yrs old! I initially set out to buy a Jeep Cherokee Sport. But after trying one out it was too small (interior wise) for me, Im 63". Then when car shopping in Brooklyn...I saw her. I immediately bought her. I wound up with a wonderful, dependable truck! Ive set it up with synthetic oil and put Lucas gas treatment in every tank and this baby is great!

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  Still a Ways To Go to Catch the Asians! - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Steve - December 27 - 3:08 pm

  There are several reasons I chose the Cruze to replace my 2014 Hyundai Elantra Limited. The first is price, I couldnt get a better price for a Honda or another Hyundai. I couldnt even come close. The second it the engine, the turbocharged 4 in the Cruze was better than all of the other cars I test drove except the Honda Accord 4 cylinder. The Cruze was also the lowest priced car I could find with Apples Car Play. If Chevrolet really wants to complete with the Asian imports it had better upgrade its interior finish choices. As it sits right now the chosen pieces look and feel cheap.

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  Awesome SS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jeff - December 27 - 2:13 pm

  This car is fun to drive and the heated seat sare nice. The performance is excellent. Looks very sharp when polished. Chrome wheels look good.

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  This van is a horrible waste of money - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Seashell - December 27 - 12:44 pm

  We purchased this vehicle in Feb 2005 for $29,000. We thought it had everything heated seats, power sliding doors, remote start, leather, etc. However the one thing it doesnt have is reliability. In the first 10,000 miles I had to replace the brakes and rotors twice, then the passenger side sliding door is broken, the glass on the passenger window fell into the door, the alternator needs to be replaced, it handles like absolute garbage. I am so upset that I am still making payments on this vehicle as well as making repairs.