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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  The Maytag of cars - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By morin2 - August 16 - 2:55 pm

  Bought this car slightly less than 3 years old with 25K miles on odom, a local car traded at a new car dealer. Now have 83K miles on it. The car is my commuter & driven 107 miles/day. Utterly reliable appliance but somewhat bland and boring. Have only done routine maintenance - replaced the awful original Firestones with Bridgestone Insigna and done the easy oil changes, coolant flushes & trans flush. Use Toyota filters & red coolant. This car will be soon passed down to my daughter & will be her first car - good for a new driver, slow, safe, and all controls very easy. I get about 31-36 mpg.

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  Dont buy an HHR - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By tamie - August 16 - 1:45 pm

  My HHR has been in the shop 13 times in past year. I would be driving down the road and it wold just shut off. Burning smell, all kinds of electrical problems. Before 7K miles it had to have new bearings. It was in the process of Lemon Law and 1 week shy of owning it a year caught on fire while I was driving and burnt to the ground. I was lucky my children werent with me. Gas mileage started out good almost 30 on the hwy and then went to no better than 21. Bought it for gas mileage and safety..I guess they failed on both......

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  Not a realiable van - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Chris - August 16 - 6:20 am

  Was the first new car we bought always bought used. Had problems with this van from day one. Seems Chevy has a problem with the electrical system with this van and doesnt want to admit it. Was in the shop 3 times for the same problem with the gas gauge before it was fixed. Just got it out of the shop last with for another electrical problem. Not a very comfortable ride for a 6,3" person legs are very cramped. Dont like not having a center console. Be sure to get the extended warranty with van your going to need it. Been the most unreliable car I have own in the 18 years of driving. Never again buy a Chevy mini- van. Should have bought a Dodge.

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  Chevy Cavalier a great Car - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Sean - August 15 - 2:56 pm

  I must say in the years that I have had my 1993 Chevy Cavalier that I have only replaced a head gasket and solinodes, radiator in the last 10 years. The car is great for the money. I am planning on buying another Cavalier

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  Best Ever - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By STAN ALEXANDER - August 15 - 2:11 pm

  I have owned five Corvettes in my life, but my 2008 is the first new one I have had. In 2004 I bought a beautiful black 2002 convertible and I really loved it, then I began reading about the 2008 and the new engine, and I figured since I had just turned 60 I would by a new Corvette. I ordered a Crystal red convertible, ebony interior, dual mode exhaust and LT3 package. I have not been disappointed, it handles like a dream, it feels so tight and manageable and when you just step on the gas, not floor it, you are doing 70 before you know it, but the best part is that almost every time I take it out, strangers will stop and tell me that is the "best looking car Ive ever seen". No problems.

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  Peppy and fun to drive - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By piasa - August 15 - 12:13 pm

  Ive owned my Tracker since Dec of 99. I bought it while I was in the Navy for a fuel friendly and peppy car for the San Diego area. The engine is a little under powered, but with k&n filters, cherry bomb muffler, and megaphone style exhaust tip, mine seems to have picked up a little bounce in its step if you know what I mean. I owned it less than six months before I put it on a trail in San Diego. The Uniroyal tires that were stock on it did a good job holding onto the rocks, and its footing only wavered when a large rose quartz stone under the left front shattered and I slid about ten feet. But Id say these are vastly underestimated litte 4x4s.

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  Rolling Thunder - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By crock924 - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I have had this truck for about 5 months and I have never had a problem with it. Treat it well and it will serve you well.

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  06 Equinox (certified/used) - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jake - August 15 - 9:34 am

  Bought this car for my new job as a sales rep. I travel a lot and have to load the car to capacity with heavy/bulky job supplies. This car has been great for me, handles fine in all weather conditions, looks good, and has just enough pep. I had a Honda Prelude before this and I thought gas mileage and pep would be a concern but its been satisfactory considering that I load a lot of cargo in it. I think its a great buy and would prefer it over the Vue. I disagree with many of the other negative posts on this SUV, maybe they expected more but I expected less. I do find it uncomfortable after long trips, but I drive a lot and any car would be the same, IMO.

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  OK Pickup - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By SN - August 14 - 2:43 pm

  Bought new 24 months ago and so far so good. Roomy cab, comfortable ride, and fair fuel ecomomy. Has nice stereo and was reasonably priced. Its my 3rd new Chevy pickup and I think I liked my last S-10 a little better.

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  Gas hog - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dave - August 14 - 11:21 am

  The back seat head rests are so big you cannot see out the back window. I have to keep the back seat folded down to have better visability. My in town mileage is 13 to 14 miles per gallon with the straight 5 cylinder engine. This really upsets me.