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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  Great SUV - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By james**** - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I looked at many SUVs, including the explorer, 03 4runner, expedition, murano, pilot, highlander,yukon, and envoy. I very seriously considered the pilot, due to previous experience with other hondas, but in the end it did not drive quite as well or have as much room, plus it seems to be one small step from being a minivan.

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  Awesome Rocket - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By boston0259 - January 23 - 10:59 pm

  Great car. What else can you say about this rocket sled? Awesome vehicle, superfast, the pick-up is simply unbelieveable. You can be at the front of any traffic line, and everybody can smell your rubber (if you so choose). But heres the thing - you know what it can do, and so do all the people around you, so why show off? Youthful exuberation maybe. Youll enjoy it.

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  Z28 - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Pat - January 23 - 4:41 pm

  The Z28 is one of the most amazing vehicles Chevrolet has ever designed. Its handling is very impressive for a 3300 lb rear wheel drive vehicle and it is just fun to drive. The LT1 is an impressive motor giving the Z28 275 hp and 325 ft-lbs torque. Nothing is better than its ominous growl that always turns heads. The Camaro Z28 was one of the last in the dying breed of the muscle car. I say that if you want an impressive car with a reputation get a Z28 yourself and let the good times roll.

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  WHAT A GREAT RIDE - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Bob - January 23 - 8:12 am

  This is a real looker. It turns heads and you gets all kinds of questions at stoplights. Fun to drive, solid ride but smooth. wish it had a stick shift, sounds great. When the top is down it is the best looking car on the road.

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  Very Good Purchase - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Luvn It - January 22 - 11:36 pm

  The next generation SUV. We love the leather, heated seats. The radio controls are easy to use on the wheel and on the stereo. Love the bass. The power/torque this vehicle has is fabulous. I have the same engine in my Venture, but this is geared so much better. Electronic steering and transmission are amazing. Cruise is so much better than on the traditional mechanical transmission. 17" wheels make this SUV look so much better than the standard 16". All of my friends love it also.

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  Love our HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By TsnPenguins - January 21 - 4:13 pm

  We bought our HHR in November after much research of the competition, including the PT Cruiser, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe. After reading the Edmunds HHR reviews (again), we can only shake our head and wonder why the critics are so hard on this great little vehicle! (The window control buttons are hardly a major issue to harp on). Our HHR is very road worthy, handling is excellent, mileage is 25 mpg in city driving on the 2.4 engine, the ride is incredibly comfortable and we do not miss the gas guzzling Jeep that we traded for the HHR. Dealer experience continues to be excellent. The HHR is nothing but fun to drive. We highly recommend this wonderful vehicle and applaud GM.

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  Best Buy For Your Money - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By n2914mr - January 21 - 11:41 am

  I have had a very good experience with this vehicle in the year that I have owned it. The Impala is large enough to accommodate a family, but not too big. Acceleration is good, fuel economy is excellent and overall I would buy this car again. Brake/rotor wear is the only major issue I have had. This car is often compared to Honda/Toyota, yet unfairly dismissed for GMs past quality issues. I have owned both Honda and Toyota and when cost is a factor in your decision you will find the Impala a much better buy for your dollar. GM has made leaps and bounds in closing the QC gap it has faced against its Japanese counterparts. You will be impressed with the caliber of this vehicle.

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  Tony Stewart SS is a keeper - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Bob Hendrichs - January 21 - 8:00 am

  I bought my Tony Stewart 2005 SS a year and a half ago. I have had several people offer me more than I paid for it. This car is a keeper. If you have one hang on to it. It will be a collectable. What a sweet ride.

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  Best Drive in 2005 - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By John Taylor - January 21 - 3:56 am

  I’ve had the vette for a 720 mile week. It’s awesome. Visibility is better than my Acura RL and Lincoln Mk VIII. 26.5 MPG on a trip. Expect mileage to climb to 28-30 following break-in. XM radio and Nav are top of the line. Keyless push button start takes getting used to but is a great feature. Build quality/fit & finish is superior,on par with any import. Performs and handles like a true sports car with out the usual drawbacks. Seats are outstanding. Interior ergonomics score an “A+”. Even with the perf. suspension (Z-51) it rides comfortably. I coud not imagine a better car. Weigh the performance, drivability, & cost, the 2005 Corvette is a hands-down winner in every category.

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  Best car under 20k - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Josh - January 20 - 8:26 am

  I have only had my Cobalt one month but the car is really growing on me. I bought it because of an excellent lease option and GM card money. It has more than enough power and gets excellent gas mileage. Judging by the performance of the naturally aspirated 2.2 the SS edition should be a rocket.