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:

• 

  2008 Chevy HHR LS - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Scott - June 28 - 7:59 am

  Great car for the money. I took a 500 mile trip through the mountains and averaged 32 MPG on the interstate. I get about 25 MPG locally. It has a lot more interior room than appears from the outside and will actually seat four adults comfortably, although if you are going to carry four people on a regular basis the 2.4 engine or turbo would be a better choice. If I had to make the choice over again I would buy the same car.

• 

  2006 2WD TrailBlazer - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jean - June 28 - 6:38 am

  I purchased this SUV last year and thus far it has been a good investment. I love GM products and will continue to buy them. This is the most comfortable auto ever! There is plenty of leg room for us tall people and 5 passenagers can sit comfortably in this SUM, unlike my GMC Jimmy. Keep up the good work GM!

• 

  Better than Bimmer - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Henry - June 28 - 5:36 am

  More room and comfort than most German or Japanese cars. Press the gas and the supercharger kicks in with a powerful and smooth acceleration. Its like being in a rocket. As a person who commutes 100 miles a day, roundtrip, I no longer feel pain after getting out of the car.

• 

  Incredible Car and I Dont Work for Chevy - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Maxx JAdore - June 27 - 4:09 pm

  This is an old car by now so theres nothing I would say to new (used car) buyers. Im here to go on record to say that I have never never had as reliable and easy to maintain car as this Malibu Maxx. Im amazed at the bad reviews. Did I get a Supercar by mistake? I have had Mazdas, Olds, Fords, Dodges, absolutely nothing compares to the performance of this cheap little car. Bought it for 14K with 35000 miles. Now has 237000 miles and DRIVES EXACTLY LIKE IT DID ON THE CAR LOT. I cant explain it. Its only had regular maintenance. Still got it at 260,000 miles. Runs like the day I bought it. Had the AC replaced. Nothing else major. Whats up with this Miracle Car?

• 

  SS all the way! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By James - June 27 - 4:02 pm

  If youre looking for a powerful, economical, and roomy vehicle, the Chevrolet HHR SS is for you! This vehicle has it all! 260 hp, Onstar, airbags everywhere, tinted windows, 18" alloy wheels, lots of cargo room, and head-turning good looks. Its faster than most SUVs and CUVs out there, has more cargo room than most, and gets between 23 and 26 mpg combined. OnStar, XM satellite radio, and hands-free calling are all standard. For a few extra bucks, you can add the OnStar navigation package. The only two gripes I have about the vehicle are no grab handles and the engine is a little on the noisy side. Overall, a total winner!

• 

  Big Rs car - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By EZMERALDA - June 27 - 2:23 pm

  Very pleased weith vehicle, alert and steady. Since using MOBIL 1, mileage is respectable at around 19 +, with a few extra PSI in the 18" tires too. The paint and overall appeareance of the car is snazzy. Could use a few grab handles and more storage pockets.

• 

  I love my truck! - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By KTCalloway - June 27 - 9:34 am

  Absolutly no problems. Handles well, comfortable ride. Looks great too. Would like better gas mileage of course, but it is as advertised. Design of the seat belt placement not comfortable for short person( Im 53"). Love the OnStar, will never have another car without it!

• 

  Great 2007 Tahoe - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By chilshock - June 27 - 2:25 am

  Great Vehicle. MPG is around avg 15 city and 19 highway. I have been able to get 22-23 hwy on many long trips if your not heading into the wind. Even while towing it gets around 17-18 mpg and its so quiet on the highway too.

• 

  Value - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Chevy Cavalier - June 26 - 8:27 pm

  This car was purchased for $3000. So far its been decent. I had to replace the computer($350), the alternator pulley and belt($200), and the slave cylinder and clutch($740). All the parts were original which means the car was built good I was just unlucky that all the parts lasted as long as they did (10 years). Car runs great now and hopefully I can get another year and 15000 miles before I have to replace anything else on this car.

• 

  Love it ! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By randalljay - June 26 - 8:26 am

  We bought an 08 Scion xB,but didnt care for only one arm rest, single back up light, poor color selection, cheap fabric and no floor mats. We were lucky enough to find an Orange HHR that had a quarter panel (not a full panel). Since we needed at least five seats, the full panel wagon was out of the question. something about the missing side rear windows that make this car very appealing. The quarter panel is a great place for self-expression. The placement of the window controls is a little weird and takes a while to get use to. For some reason I keep hitting my shins on the door when I get out. On the plus side, the OnStar is great, its American, has lots of room, and it comes with mats.