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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  Cobalt XFE - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Bob - December 1 - 7:37 am

  XFE (5 speed) is tuned for highway driving. Flat terrain at 58mpg = 38-42mpg. Subtract 4-5 mpg for air conditioner! Poor in town mpg (23-26). Not good for stop and go commuting in a hot climate. Enjoy XM radio. Good seat adjustments (up/down, back-forth, tilt-lumbar). Chevy. Get rid of Coupe design. Dangerous, cannot see out of back, especially with worthless spoiler. Change to hatchback. Trunk is deep, but opening is miniscule. Cant even put a standard cooler chest in it. Poor access to rear seats. Also Chevy failed to support the XFE sedan. Could not find 1 in the whole US! Corporate didnt know either. Inexcusible. No wonder they are bankrupt!

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  Brand new for $12,500! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By John - November 30 - 10:46 pm

  Liked the retro look from when I first saw the concept car, always been a Chevy fan but only owned their trucks (3/4 ton HD) all my cars had been imports. I traded in a CRV for this car because it was the most car for the money period! We saw an ad price for $12,500 for the LS and with my GM card discount we drove home in it for $11,500 brand new! cheaper than a cobalt or focus, or a less equipped hyundai! We love that the base model has so many features standard. Oh, and did I mention how great the mileage is? We average 36 on trips and have on one trip gone over 600 miles on one tank! For snow, we bought Bridgstone Blizzack studless and they are amazing! No need for AWD

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  Still Love It - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By VGB - November 30 - 9:16 pm

  Ive owned the new Malibu for a full year now and I am still completely satisfied. Drives great, looks great and I have not found anything I dont love about it. The interior is awesome and the ride is very smooth. A year later and I still look forward to driving this car everyday. I dont think I have ever been this satified with a purchase. Definitely worth every dime I paid for it and then some.

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  If you like walking... - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Agent - November 30 - 9:03 pm

  This car broke down 4 times in the first 6 months I owned it. 3 breakdowns were a result of the computer and the other 1 was due to the shifter housing. Also, the tires only lasted for about 28k before they needed to be replaced. This car is terrible in high winds and also has problems in the rain, snow, and ice. I was so disappointed that I considered hiring a lawyer to go after the dealership. Also, the gas mileage is seriously overstated. If the initial cost is your only consideration then buy an Aveo.

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  Stylish and comfortable! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tamara Seiwell - November 30 - 8:30 pm

  I have only had my Equinox for 2 weeks and I love it. I have everything in my Equinox that it could come with and can say its very comfortable. From the dimming mirror to the leather seats, etc. There is nothing that I dont love about it. Not only is the vehicle nice inside but it also handles well around corners and on the road. Chevy did a really good job on this vehicle.

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  Cheap metal - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By MYSTICICE13 - November 30 - 7:55 pm

  My car seems to have dents from under the hood. No one knows why. Simply leaning against the car will cause the door to dent, I only weigh 130. I had the emissions valve replaced at 30,000 the clutch plate was replaced after only having it a year, the horn is weak. No block heater (required in Alaska) they charge you extra to get one when it should be installed in a place where its required.

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  A move up from a METRO - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By pms - November 30 - 12:33 pm

  Being a person who hates big, pretentious vehicles, I appreciate this car very much. I think America could use an attitude change to "bigger Women, and smaller trucks". One does not feel MACHO in this type of car. It is only for the intelligent, secure buyer. The relative luxury, when compared to a METRO is wonderful. Some zip in the engine, power locks/ windows...I am spoiled!!

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  Great 03 Silverado - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By JJG - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Bought this truck with 8,000 miles on it and still cant figure out why it was turned back. Its the most comfortable truck Ive ever owned and the difference between it and my 2002 3500 Silverado are significant. Chevy worked on the basics for the 2001 and 2002s but refined the beast in 03. This was/is my wifes truck and at 110lbs, has no trouble getting around and enjoys being Queen of the road. The Duramx/Allison combination is perfection and POWER!

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  Z71 - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By dltunct - November 29 - 10:00 am

  I leased my Z71 about 2 months ago and absolutely love it. The ride is better than any othe SUV I have ever driven. At 55 on the highway I did average well over 20 MPG. As the speed goed up it does drop down below 20, but still better than my old Grand Cherokee.

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  Best truck every - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By redgate190 - November 29 - 10:00 am

  I had this vehicles as a rental in september. i orignally owned a 1994 blazer loved the way it drove and whe i got behind the wheel of this i feel in love. Going down I-95 was a joyy. comfortable, smooth ride and great gasmilage compared to my 94 blazer. I bbrought my car about a month ago and i am still loving it. everyday it gets better cant wait till the summer so the kids can enjoy the dvd screen going to the beach what a relief this will be. i also added a second dvd player for the third row.