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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  Best SUV I Ever Owned - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By rbn005 - July 28 - 6:47 pm

  I have really been fortunate. Mine is fully loaded and all of us have enjoyed it. The vehicle has been excellent. We have driven many different terrains (on- road, off-road), mountains, pulled boats, cargo trailers, etc. and it has handle itself very well. The mpg is not too bad for an SUV. Average around 17.5. I cant think of anything that I would change except for the third row seats. Frankly, I like it better than the 2008 Tahoe.

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  Above average Below expensive - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By t - July 28 - 3:36 pm

  I enjoy driving the vehicle notwithdstanding the lack of features, cheap emergency brake release (which comes off), the fact that none of the seats adjust, or that my starter is already experiencing turn over problems. I had to take it in to have the squirrel cage on the a/c replaced, (original one squealed when on), but the fuel economy is good for a truck, and it is very fun to drive Sporty in one word. Definetly for a younger driver looking to save on insurance and gas, but doesnt mind working out the bugs with the dealership. OnStar is great as well. An all around good buy. Delivers power when demanded. I would have enjoyed a more rugged interior and at least an adjustable driver seat.

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  Gas guzzler its not - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Brian Lewis - July 28 - 1:44 pm

  I have had my HHR for over a year now and the odometer is telling me that I am using 6.9 liters of fuel for 100 kilometers. That equates to 41 MPG city and highway combined. Wow. More than expected. I get people asking me all the time about the color. Golden Teal Metallic. GM only made this colour for the 2007 model year.

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  Security Advisor - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By george - July 28 - 1:30 pm

  We purchased this vehicle to replace one of our Security fleet Chevy Cavaliers. Vehicle has excellent acceleration, comfort for driving and setting in. Fuel mileage is near 30 MPG in city & hwy driving combo. Have used to pull a loaded 8 trailer & didnt notice any changes except fuel mileage dropped to 24 MPG.on the hwy. As a security vehicle we have engaged in high speed chases with many different vehicles. The Colorado hasnt been out-run yet or out-performed.

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  Good enough to get two! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Chuck - July 28 - 12:00 pm

  First impression of the looks was that Chevy was just copying Chrysler, but after taking a test drive, I was hooked. Ive had it now for 7 months and taken two long distant trips with it (avg 31 MPG AT aprox 75mph). It has a very quiet ride inside. I installed a hitch on mine for a utility trailer (which works great). The wife and I liked it so much I traded the wifes car for a second HHR in June 08! Now we both have one! I dont think anyone can go wrong buying one of these. Even with the entry level model, they pack a lot value and usability into this vehicle for the price range it is in. So go buy one, heck, buy two! Youll love it!

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  2006 Chevrolet Cobalt LS - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Kourtney Graves - July 28 - 10:10 am

  A very sporty car. Fits well in all parking spaces. Good view of other cars through mirrors and windows, Radio is very nice, good quality sound. Nice trunk space. Nice interior gages with different features as oil levels, fuel range, coolant temp, etc at the push of a button. Car seats go in and out well. Good car for college student, parents with small children, or if you just want to save money on gas. Nice ride quality, steering, and easy under the hood accesability. And believe it or not, even the base model is quick on its feet, its fun to quickly pass up more sportier cars, and see them dwindle away in your rear view mirror. Great car.

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  Get one! - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By okieradio - July 28 - 9:10 am

  Got my 2008 Colorado last September. Driven 12000 miles. Gas mileage runs 20- 22 in town. Roomy cab, and back seat leg room is adequate for its size. Why the Colorado and not the Silverado? I dont pull anything, and only haul lighter cargo- plus I like the extra room in my garage. I do haul my scooter, and Ive carried a bed full of pavers plus three adults with the A/C on and the little 4-cyl powered us right down the road. Engine torques up real quick. Passing on the highway winds it up a little more than I like, but it gets moving right away.

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  Tahoe - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By chevyman16 - July 28 - 6:53 am

  The Chevrolet Tahoe is a great. I purchased mine in July of 2001. The 4wd works great. I live in Nebraska and its very helpful. The interior is very spacious and roomy. I have a boat and will use the Tahoe to pull it. I bought the Tahoe because of its roomy inside, good looks, great 5.3L engine, and the way it drives. It drives like a car. Go and test drive one to see.

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  My sons first car -- Im not crazy - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Hawaiidad - July 28 - 2:16 am

  I bought it for my 17 year old, he loves it, his friends think I rock. They all drive foreign econoboxes or moms hand-me-down. He now loves classic American sports cars. V6/auto, 29mpg, and insurance only went up $31/month. I had to replace water pump ($47) and front turn signal lens after shopping cart hit it -- parts easy and cheap online. What other 10-year old car can you buy for a teenager that he wouldnt trade for anything except a Vette?

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  CHEVROLET AVEO - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By GLENDA - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I COULD NOT AS FOR A BETTER CAR THEN AVEO.I DRIVE FROM 300-400 MILES A WEEK I CAN NOT BEAT GAS MILEAGES 35-40 MILES GALLON,INSIDE REAL NICE LOT OF SPACE,WHEN ARE A BIG PERSON LIKE ME.LIKE SOME OTHER CARS ,DO NOT PUT ANY NAMES OUT THERE IN COMPACT CARS , WHEN YOU DRIVE LONG WAY EVERYDAY ,THE NUMBER 1 COMPACT OF 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO