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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  Wow! - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Paul - August 24 - 7:36 am

  I had an M3 ten years ago which was the benchmark for me for purchasing a new sports car. The Corvette handles as well as the M3 with an enormous amount of power. I still cant wipe the smile off of my face everytime I drive this car.

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  Not Pleased - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Kristin - August 23 - 1:15 am

  For more than a year, I never had a problem and then suddenly it started acting up. It was still under warranty and the dealership has offered to extend the warranty free of charge and give me free roadside assistance, but it still isnt worth it. Sometimes when I am driving it stops suddenly. Usually it happens shortly after starting it up, but it has happened once while I was driving down the road. Other times it doesnt start at all. But it is inconsistent and the dealership cant find anything wrong with it. Ive done some research online and found that this problem isnt only happening to my Equipnox.

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  Needs new ideas - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Needs some fixin - August 23 - 1:11 am

  I bought my Equinox new, and havent had much trouble. Ive had the clunking noise upon starting the car, and its actually a recalled part that was just found out about in 7-08. I also have issues with the cupholders, e-brake and center console not being driver friendly. The leather cracks easy, and dont get anything stuck in the sunroom seams, it will leak.

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  Better than my Japanese made Mazda - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Craigski - August 22 - 7:52 pm

  I tried the Cobalt for the price. At 45,000 no problems whatsover. Perfect? by no means. Dependable? Better than the Subaru & Mazda. True story... my sons brand new Civic had the steering column catch fire as he drove it from the showroom. I never laughed so hard as he said...Buy Japanese! The salesman turned tomato red. I laughed even harder!

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  Small car with a big punch - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Not your average man - August 22 - 3:28 pm

  I purchased my 08 HHR over 2 months ago to take the gas pump burden off my wallet (HHR $55 evey 10 days vs $90 every 4-5 days with my Silverado). I now find myself driving this car all the time and my 07 Silverado may get driving only once or twice on the weekends. I drive 35+ miles to & from work during the week and when I can lock the cruise at 60 the car will get 35-37 MPG. I am a 65" tall lbig guy and I have no problems with leg & head room (no sunroof - have the issue seeing the stoplights when first in line. I get a lot of people askng about the car & the fuel MPGs, the GM Performamce Air Intake makes a huge difference. My neighbor loves my HHR and wants to trade in her PT Cruiser.

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  Ex-Suburban owner goes 4 cyl - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Je - August 22 - 2:14 pm

  I have been driving Suburbans for 30 years and finally caved in to the current gas prices. I couldnt face going into a small car, and decided to test drive the HHR and found that I really liked it. The ride is comfortable, I sit a little higher than a car, and the 4cyl engine seems to have enough pickup as I drive on the expressway all the time. After 2 months of driving this vehicle I find it fun to drive and the gas mileage is great! The only undesirable is the loss of power when turning on the air conditioning.

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  13+ years with one family owner - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By DonnaMarie - August 22 - 12:14 pm

  This vehicle has no rust - either garaged or in Florida I had very little mileage on it until 2005 - but now have about 195,000 miles on it (almost all highway miles). Put brakes on it (my driving?), a couple alternators and anything needed to care for a vehicle that has been dependable and took me anyplace I wanted to go. USA Chevy family!

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  2008 Cobalt XFE Sedan comments - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By john weiss - August 22 - 12:03 pm

  I have only put on 2100 miles and am pleased with how the vehicle runs and the fuel mileage. It is the basic lowest cost Cobalt XFE sedan with air and manual tranny. At 75mph average on the freeway, it will deliver 34 mpg +/- 3mpg depending on with the wind or against. Has turned in 39.7mpg on 160 mile trip driving at 60 mph on freeway. Vehicle was purchased as a run around unit with trips not longer than 3 hours thus comfort (i.e. as in our Town & Country Van) was not a priority. It has fairly predictable handling with a quiet ride and is not buzzy as was found with some small foreign vehicles in this size.

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  Excellent Value - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By JD - August 22 - 9:41 am

  Terribly disappointed in my two Toyotas. Went back to Chevy and wow what a car. Great gas mileage, very good road handling, and competitively priced. Am getting ready to buy a new car and it will be another Chevrolet product.

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  Dependable - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By attilio - August 21 - 11:54 pm

  I have had 0 defects since I had my truck for 4 years. Plenty of room, pulls good and rides better than a normal truck. I maintain my vehicle on a monthly basis. I added an electric fan, K&N cool air kit, and under pulleys and get about 20 to 22 miles per gallon now so Im very happy about my SUV.