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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  Sweet Chevy Ride - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By somnambulist - September 19 - 5:16 am

  Chevy has hit the mark with the Cobalt SS. Its a great bargain, with amazing acceleration, a great stick, and a pretty kicking speaker system.

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  My LS coupe Cobalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By S. J - September 18 - 8:20 pm

  This is my fourth Chevrolet, and I can say that is the best built Chevrolet I had so far. This is a small, fun to drive car. Since I have the coupe (sport package) I can only complain about the rear seats. They were made for small people only. I think that the quality that went inside this car is the best I have seen in an American car. I will say this, if you are thinking of buying a small car, you should have this Cobalt in your list, you will not be disappointed. Chevrolet is going in the right direction.

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  S-dime - 1994 Chevrolet S-10
  By lowered94 - September 18 - 8:15 pm

  Love my truck! 1994 base model work truck. Runs amazing, lowered 5 inches in front 7 inches in back, and rockin 20 inch wheels. My third S10, and definitely not my last!

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  Save the cash - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Celica Enthusiest - September 18 - 4:58 pm

  I havent enjoyed driving this car very much at all. The steering wheel is very large and hard to turn sharply. The acceleration is poor and when going up even the slightest hill it loses at least 10 miles per hour. The interior is well made and comfortable except for the material that covers the seats. I havent had any mechanical problems but there is a constant rattle after you hit 45mph and it wont stop. The outside is very plain and doesnt appeal to the eye. It just isnt that great of a car.

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  Ive grown to like it. - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Unclewally - September 18 - 9:16 am

  I purchased my brand new black LT 4 door with all options except sunroof, leather and steering wheel audio controls. I checked around and it was the least expensive car with the options I wanted. I needed a more fuel economical car being that I commute 150 miles round trip a day, for four days. My 11 mpg (highway) Ford Explorer, V8, All Wheel Drive was killing me at the pump. (I still love my truck). I put the car to the test as soon as I got it. I had a custom made tow hitch installed to pull a mini tear drop cargo trailer and drove to Houston Texas. She was loaded with 3 adults and pulling a loaded mini trailer. She didnt miss a beat. Mind you the car is cheesy. You get what you pay for.

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  08 Cobalt SS user review - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Superbrowndude - September 18 - 7:59 am

  Great car, fun to drive. For the money you will not find a more powerful car from the factory with 260hp at 5200 rpm.

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  Avg 27city 32hwy! Solid Built! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Rob - September 18 - 12:00 am

  The gas mileage is great! The small car grows on you as you drive it. Fun. Easy to maneuver, turning radius 33! Decent pick up for the on ramp. Safety scores high! Gave the car to my DD and am now considering another one after shopping Mazda, Honda, Mitsubisi, and Saturn! Cant beat the price and quality, mileage and safety without all the options nickle and dimeing you to death!

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  Good Economical and tough car - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By middleofnowhere - September 17 - 11:34 pm

  I work in construction and drive in the dirt every day. My work is all over Southern California. This is a well put together car. When I first bought and it was clean, I took wife and friends out to dinner several times. Lots of interior room. Now my car is constantly dirty, so I only use for work. I get 27 mpg with AC running and mixed driving. During winter I get about 30 with mixed driving. Interior is functional. Good ground clearance. Very happy and recommend.

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  Love my burban - 1993 Chevrolet Suburban
  By kevin - September 17 - 11:13 pm

  Brougth it 2 years ago. It has a 454ci. Best truck Ive ever had. Strong. We get lots of snow in the winter. This is by far the safest truck Ive ever had. Wish every one of my friends would have one

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  HHR LT - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By papple - September 17 - 10:14 pm

  Ive had the HHR for 2 months now and like it so far. I was in the market for a car with good MPGs and had the versatility of an SUV. While it is not near the size of the Tahoe, it has similar functionality with the back seats and front passenger seat folded down. Ideal for trips to Home Depot and such. Averaging 26 to 28 MPGs with the auto trans, but will say Im not a lead foot. I drive 28 miles to work with a fairly even mix of city and hwy driving. The drivers seat is surprisingly comfortable with the power lumbar. I havent had a 4 cyl in 15 years, but it hasnt been a painful adjustment. Overall, I am very satisfied with the HHR. It meets my needs for good MPGs and versatility.