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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  dont buy this truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By truck for sale - July 23 - 10:00 am

  VARY uncomfortable seats!!!! rough riding,comes from the factory dented,or bad painting,dealer does not check before they except there delivery,rips you off on e.s.p. drivers door misalined,noise in transmission.

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  Cobalt great - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By sam - July 22 - 11:20 pm

  I have the 2.2 engine with a 5 speed manual transmission. I never get below 34 mpg even in the city. The car has plenty of power and the only maintenance needed is oil changes.

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  Awesome Truck, with room for improvement - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By TXlnghrn - July 22 - 10:59 pm

  Had a 99 Burb but stuff kept going wrong so ended up with a new 08 LTZ. Overall great truck and I love to drive it. Average about 14mpg city (0.7-1 mpg less than onboard pc states) and around 10mpg towing my boat. In 3.5 months I have put over 5K miles on it. Personally, I think it looks awesome inside and out, and the materials seem top notch except for one thing (and this is why I wanted to leave a review). In less than 4 months, my passenger side headlamp is already starting to cloud up. I live in TX and where I park it gets full sun from noon to dusk, but for a $50K vehicle, this is absolutely unacceptable!

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  Good Car - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Deb - July 22 - 8:17 am

  I love my HHR! However, been to the dealer several times with rattle. Had steering column replaced two times, dash lights flicker, hub is bad, and radio issues. Dealer sent me home with bad hub, hope safe, he says is safe to drive. Replacing steering column did not help, as it began rattling again after a few weeks. Yes, I agree need better cup holders and window controls on door. Spruce up the interior, other manufacturers know how to do an interior right. We baby boomers love comfort and luxury.

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  Love my Aveo - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By aveo fan - July 22 - 3:32 am

  Great car, have had it for 3 years, bought brand new at a dealer. If you want something more than a reliable, gas sipping tin can on wheels dont buy this, you will be dissapointed. Never any problems with it, have driven it from midwest to east coast, comfortable.

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  Big Boat, Nice Float - 1993 Chevrolet Caprice
  By art - July 22 - 2:36 am

  I have owned this old river barge for nearly a year and love it! I explain it, "as if you were driving the couch". Having put 20k on in 10 months, I have few complaints. All the mileage one could expect, probably more for a 305ci, river barge. I get a consistent 22mpg running my route, (450 miles weekly), & as high as 27 on a road trip.

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  Awesome - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Paul Justice - July 22 - 1:30 am

  I bought this car to drive to and from work. It turns out that for only $20k you can get a car with this much zip and is so much fun to drive. Over 30mpg for a car that can beat most compacts off the line. Buy this car. It is so much fun and sporty looking too.

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  Expected More - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By lou - July 21 - 10:30 pm

  Not a bad ride but I find myself "strapped" in and confined inside the driver seat. Theres no space to put anything inside. Its a lower ride than the Explorer. I havent had to use 4 wheel drive yet. The sound system is excellent. If you have kids or use it for carpooling - the back has its own climate controls, as does the passenger front.

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  Awewsome Ride! - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By 15 - July 21 - 8:29 pm

  Bought my V-6 Camaro used with 78000 miles on it and now have almost 100000 on it, and it still looks and drives immaculatte for as much use as it gets. I have not had a problem with this car since I bought it, and this is by far one of the funnest cars to drive. 5 speed manual is a plus, and the clutch and tranny are very well made. The engine also puts out a decent amount of power for a 6 cyl. I love this car inside and out. The handling, braking, power, and looks of this car give it a 10 out of 10 in my eyes. I just wish gas prices and insurance wearnt so expensive so I could afford the SS!

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  05 Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Jim - July 21 - 7:13 pm

  Basically I like the truck. I havent had any problems and the truck seems to be a reliable vehicle. It seems tight with no rattles or noises. The seat material is prone to soiling for the workman and a different material is needed. It has enough pick up for me, however the gas mileage is a disappointment for a 2005 vehicle. (14/15 city 20 on the road)It does have the 410 rear