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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  Fun to own - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Beachbum - August 8 - 8:36 pm

  Great car for the money. Designers at GM finally understand what the GenXers want in a car, and for the most part have delivered. My only tiny gripe is rear visibility, as the trunk lid is higher than what Im used to.

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  I would buy another one carefully - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By D & P Myers - August 8 - 5:26 pm

  We bought the SUV used with only 20k, but like it only had 2 miles on it!! Have been very happy with the power and comfort, the look is strong, masculine, but dont rub against anything or you will get bupper damage and maybe even more. The exterior look is great but lends to road scrathes on doors and poor bupper strength. The rear lience plate seal leaks and rear lights are not protected enough so they get chips and leak mosture into them. The interior after only 5 years has started to fall apart, and dash board buttons have scrathed off the name of the item. Fuel mileage could be better only 13-15 mpg.

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  What a Great Car! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Evan - August 8 - 5:26 pm

  This was my first brand new car, but Ive driven a lot of cars over the years. This car is a blast to drive. Great, strong engine should give years of dependable service. Comfortable front seats, back seats may be a bit small, but 98% of the time, Im the only one in the car. This car gets decent mileage for being a S/C 4-cyl. With my aggressive style, Im getting mid-20s.

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  After almost a year, still love my Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Brian - August 8 - 4:40 pm

  Ive had my Tahoe for almost a year now (14,000 miles), and I still love it. No problems whatsoever except for a minor squeak that the dealer found and fixed right away. Overall average MPG since first oil change is 16.3, and I regularly get 20-21 mpg on freeway-only trips. Not too shabby for something this big and powerful. Love the styling, and love the interior fit and finish.

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  Great mpg on XFE version - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By cobalt_xfe - August 8 - 12:19 pm

  I bought this car as a replacement to a 1993 Audi. I drive a lot and needed good fuel economy. I have almost 5000 miles on the car and my calculated mpg is 37.4. The headrests are uncomfortable from the factory (they tip my head forward), but they are easily reversed and quite comfortable when reversed. It is a little tight with 2 teenage boys in the back, but they can make it work. It handles well. It has good acceleration and cornering. I was a little afraid of the low rolling resistance tires, but they seem to perform well. The stereo is adequate, but lacks fidelity in the bass. I suggest the XFE version over the standard. Its performance seems about the same. Minor lines mismatch on hood

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  Great Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By kstall3 - August 8 - 9:43 am

  I bought this truck used in 2004 with 19,000 miles. I have had very few problems in the last 4 four years. My fuel pump did go out, but I have observed that happens on all Chevy trucks, you have to factor that into the cost. My fuel economy is pretty good for having over 300 HP and 33inch tires (after market). I love this truck and dont have any plans to trade in.

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  Awesome car - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By John - August 8 - 6:12 am

  We bought it with 12000 on it. Just got rid of it yesterday with 172k. Most reliable car I have had. No major motor or transmission issues. We kept up with the maintenance. All things end. This year we were fixing things monthly. On the way to shop for brake switch the master cylinder failed and the brakes mostly locked up. Only recurring problem with the Lumina was brakes and rotors. Replaced them all several times and still they warped and the rear in particular would sqeak and had to be cleaned frequently. Mechanic said the Luminas were known for this problem. I will miss my Lumina.

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  Excellent SUV, sincere review - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By joetibu - August 8 - 5:57 am

  I had this SUV since new. No mayor problems and has now more than 100k. Basic maintenance. Overall is very comfty, hauls lots of stuff and feels very secure. Good MPG for the size and weight.

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  All About My Little Wagon! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By edmondsmd - August 7 - 10:37 pm

  It rides very smooth. Im 66 and its the most spacious compact car Ive ever owned. I own a computer repair business and Im absolutely nuts about the shelf in the rear cargo area not to mention the 61 cubic feet of cargo room. I had one problem with a passengers side kick board that came loose sometime right around when I bought it. The dealership took care of it promptly.

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  Best SUV driven yet and best stylish - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Nick - August 7 - 3:56 pm

  Having driven the Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango, the Trailblazer was the most powerful and had the most room out of the 3. The truck handles great in the snow with its extra wide tires. Cant wait to by my next Trailblazer when Chevy makes a newly redesign SUV in 2007