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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  Blazer is Second SUV - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Blazer LS - June 20 - 12:53 am

  I purchase this vehicle about six years ago, with 70,000 miles, two years ago I put in a new alternator and battery costing estimated $465. At 75k I had a tune-up,and perform regular maintenance at schedule interval. Now the door sag on driver side 1/8 inch B pilar (pins) bushing need replaced, the driver side lever for seat broke, the mileage in city not good the highway about 18-20. Always had Chevy as a second car and seem to do alright. Mostly do highway driving. Like the room and comfort. I guess I cant complain I have not yet experienced serious mechanical problems. Most cars do have normal wear and tear and that could happen on any American made cars/suv.

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  Good car for the money. - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Shawn E. - June 19 - 10:25 pm

  Ive had the car for a little over a year and I think that it is a good car for having over 16,000 miles already. There are some improvements that need to be made though. It has great fuel economy at 30 mpg, and that is not highway! Comfortable seating in front but not the back. good stereo system. Car is fun to drive on winding roads. The car has been in the shop twice. Once for bad control arm bushings and warped rotors. And the next for a loud grinding sound in the brakes. I think that it needs a 6 disc cd changer. Overall it is a good car for a low price.

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  Talk it up! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By stewart savage - June 19 - 10:24 pm

  I bought my HHR in May `06. I am pleased with the overall reliability and performance of the car so far. We took a trip on mother Day weekend. Leaving metro Detroit, we didn`t refuel until we were in Louisville, Ky. Love It!

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  Still ove this car! - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Still love this car! - June 19 - 7:51 pm

  Have just shy of 64,000 miles on my company car. Whats not to like? Gas mileage is unbelievable in such a large car, easy 30+ on the highway! Decent looks, comfortable, and safe. Huge trunk, lots of room. Water pump had to be replaced at 60,000 miles, which was odd, but other than that, no problems. Will order a new one at 100,000 miles.

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  We Love Our HuhHer, the Jurys Out. - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Rose4HHR - June 19 - 5:30 pm

  Well...I love driving when I can steal it from my hubby, but Ive noticed some brake squeal and he drives it mostly on the interstate. Hes not a brake man. I took Huh-Her as we call it to the shop (not dealer, I dont trust them-sorry) for an oil change today and asked if it could need brake pads. Their response? "Uh-Oh!" Not lets sell you some stuff...they explained theyve had a slew of people with some serious issues, mainly rotors and encouraged me to return to my dreaded dealership to resolve the issue. The dealership denied it at 1st, but when I stated I would research and report they gave me a card for the 1st time and stated they would "take care of it".

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  Love My Trailblazer - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Red1 - June 19 - 3:01 pm

  I traded my 05 Equinox for my 08 Trailblazer. It has great pick up and a very comfortable ride.I like the interior styling. The controls are all easy to use. The steering wheel controls were a little confusing at first but I got the hang of it. My 3LT has a lot of nice features, sunroof, Bose Radio w/6 cd changer, blk leather seats with warmers (needed for Chicago winters), recall seating using key remotes. The list goes on. Gas mileage same as Equinox more or less. Right now I am averaging 17.3 in the city (must be the lack of summer traffic).

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  Great Car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By DJ - June 19 - 10:06 am

  Just wanted to say that the Cobalt is a great car. I have had it for about 3 months and I put about 6000 miles on it and I have had no problems. Car runs great and handles well. And for a 4cyl it has some pick up. I do city and highway driving and I am getting an avg of around 30 mpg. When I am on the highway I am getting at least 35 mpg. I wish I would have known the Cobalt XFE was coming out. I would have waited because if I am getting 35 mpg on the highway with the reg Cobalt, the XFE has to be getting atleast 40 mpg on the highway. For around $12,500 you cant go wrong!

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  My 2006 Cobalt - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By smb - June 19 - 9:41 am

  I bought this car new, when my 2001 Malibu went into the shop for the what seemed like the 100th time. Anyway after dumping over 8000 in repairs into this Malibu, I reluctantly bought the Cobalt since I was not impressed with GM. But this car didnt bring my confidence back, after 2 months of ownership my drivers side window wouldnt go down I took in and a couple days after getting it back the door handle fell off, and the whole inside door panel was loose after they had taken it off. and never could get back on right. And to top it off this car lost half its value in 12 months, not good.

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  DWs Review - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By DW Waters - June 19 - 9:00 am

  Chevy has a winner. The only thing I would change would be rear wheel drive and a V8. I am a big person and this car fits me beautiful.Driving this car reminds me of 60s and seventys. Very comfortably. Thanks Chevy.

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  Not as good as a Toyota - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Jake - June 18 - 3:47 pm

  I bought this truck instead of a Tacoma and wish that I did not. My full size GMC Z71 was better on fuel, better comfort, and better made. I average 16.5 mpg in Va. I got 17 - 18mpg on the 5.3l V8. The truck is noisy, and the interior does not appear that it will hold up. This will be my last Colorado.