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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  Most Impressive - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Bob-S - May 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is Chevys best kept secret. Its fun to drive and gets the looks wherever it goes. This is as close to a Real Muscle Car look as you get these days, and has all the toys that you could want, all in an affordable package with not bad fuel economy. Nicely done Chevy...

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  I luv my Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By MC from Norman, OK - May 30 - 10:00 am

  This car/suv is exceptional. I had researched for over 6 months and I am glad I found this. It is quiet, quick, loaded, unique looking, affordable, and has lots of great little extras. The Summit White is beautiful and luxurious. The style and design stands out in the crowded SUV category. I love the leather, the multi-function seats, the table in the back, the wide opening doors, the controls on the steering wheel and lots more. The ride is quiet, and smooth for the most part. It has great get-up-and-go and power. This has to be a "best buy" based on price and what you get for that price. I offered $500 over actual invoice and made the deal!

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  Love my Nox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sinbar3 - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Although I have only had the vehicle for 2 weeks, I am entirely in love with it. Previously drove Grand Ams, but now have grandchildren and putting them into car seats, hauling strollers and wagons etc. made for one very aching grammy!! My Equinox is so "user friendly". Really like the large view from the windshield, the abilty to custom the drivers seat with the 6-way seat adjuster. Plenty of room for my husband, myself, grandkids, other adults and gear. So far the ride is great and I hope it continues to be. I cant see us going back to a regular sedan ever again.

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  CHEY P/U EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By TG Brown - May 30 - 10:00 am

  ALTHOUGH I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE ONE WEEK, i FIND IT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE. THE COLOR IS SPORT METALLIC RED. EVERYWHERE I GO I RECEIVE COMPLIMENTS ON THE COLOR, STYLE, LOOKS, ETC. THE RADIO/SOUND SYSTEM IS SUPERB! SO FAR THE TRUCK HAS MET OR EXCEEDED THIS WRITERS EXPECTATIONS, FOR PERFORMANCE, HANDLING, MILAGE, ETC....ALSO THERE IS CONSIDERABLE LEG ROOM FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS, BOTH IN THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT AREA. AS A RESULT SEVERAL FRIENDS ARE NOW CONSIDERING OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PURCHASING A SIMILAR CHEVY, OR GM PICK-UP TRUCK. THUS I FEEL THE PROOF IS THE PRODUCT---A USA PRODUCED AND MANUFACTURED TRUCK

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  This Truck Rocks - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lewis - May 30 - 10:00 am

  This truck is the best ive ever driven. Gas gussler but who cares. All motar you dont see that from Ford or Dodge. This is the only real sport truck on the road, and mine is supercharged for 465 horse.

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  Good Commuter Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By BC - May 30 - 9:46 am

  Bought this car used in 2004 with 26K on it. Now close to 70K. Great highway gas mileage. No real problems other than transmission sensor went out. Original tiger paws still on. Great car!

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  My Panel - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By blake - May 29 - 9:42 pm

  Found that the car had more than enough power (2.4) for quick acceleration. Handling was good and the antilock brakes work great in all weather. Also found Panel easy to park in town

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  148K and still going! - 1996 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Joel - May 29 - 4:21 pm

  My Z26 has 148K miles on it and it keeps going. She has every options available. I bought my Beretta from my son for $600 with 140K on it. He bought for $450 and changed the upper intake gasket. We changed the water pump before I started driving it. I keep an eye on the coolant level still because it still leaks. I drive it 60 miles one way for work. I have been averaging 30MPG with mostly hwy driving. This car is quick, reliable, and is giving me great MPGs. Gas is at $4.10 a gal in IL now and you cant beat getting that kind of gas mileage out of a sporty and well appointed car. I will drive her to the ground.

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  Try it for yourself! - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob - May 29 - 2:05 pm

  I have seen just a few reviews that dont like the Aveo. I have had mine six months and some of the complaints are hard to understand. Gas mileage and room are the two that bother me most. Only a few have written but I would like to say I get 36 to 41+ driving country roads and some city. No highway. I am 6 ft 1 in tall weigh 265 pounds and it is more room than I need. My nephew is 6 ft 5 in tall and he has no problem at all. I have 7000+ miles on my car and I love it. So all I can say is try it out make your own decision. It is by far the least inexpensive. I paid $8998 with air. Super car to me.

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  Good overall - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Nemesis - May 29 - 11:56 am

  This car is a fleet vehicle for the company I work for. I have put on about 50k miles on it in the first year so far and have had no problems at all mechanicaly. The engine is suprisingly quick for a 4 cyl. My only complaint is the seats. They stain way too easy. I spilled a bottle of water and it left a stain. I have the gray interior. I would reccomend black or get leather. All other features about inside are great.