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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  Good buy - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By conran06 - May 21 - 4:44 pm

  I guess i got screwed because mine didnt come with free OnStar for a year, or 3 mo. of XM radio. I did buy it used though with 15,000mi. I do like the smooth drive and I think the seat cusions are very comfortable. I do not like the interior. Looks very cheap on the doors and center console. Im not a big fan of the cushion pattern. I came from an 03 Eclipse Spider, convertable with leather. I wish I had a sunroof at least.

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  Too few mpg and too much sunshine I shout - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By James - May 21 - 2:15 pm

  Chevy electronics. Easy to pair phone to car. Infuriating trip computer that has never been close on mpg, distance to empty, gallons used. On star is good but I feel too expensive so I dropped it. Interior nice but leather seats are FIRM. Average around 32 mpg day to day use, have never come near 38 mpg rating. At 42000 miles transmission is getting dimwitted on shifts ( just want a slight speed increase, push on throttle, nothing, push, nothing, push then its a 2 gear kickdown). Dealer says car showing no codes when I had checked. Rear seat room is good for small kids or SMALL adults. Real nightmare is sunroof failed in tilt open position. Will update when I find out what is wrong and how much financial pain it will cost. I dont think I will consider another GM vehicle if this sunroof problem turns into a financial black hole. Plus side tire wear is great, still have near 50% of original tread, premium Pioneer sound system is great. Update..cost 116.00 but dealer found crud jamming sunroof motor and cleaned it out. No longer park near trees with roof tilt open. This is NOT a performance car. RS package is dress up and nothing more. Trade value plummeted with new style release.

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  my truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By justin witczak - May 21 - 10:00 am

  the front dash panel is popping out and is of poor quality,also I got a flat and could not lower the wheel to change it! I had to take it to the dealer!

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  trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rjb1311 - May 21 - 10:00 am

  goodWe appreciate opinions from all of our users. However, in an effort to provide site visitors with the most valuable consumer insight and information, it is a requirement that you own this vehicle in order to write a review. We have found that actual ownership experience is the best yardstick for providing genuine quality feedback about a vehicle beyond a test drive

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  Quality - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By jh1-1 - May 21 - 10:00 am

  An incredibly spacious interior as well as a very classy design for its price group. Handling is balanced and precise. A pretty sporty feel when driving for a sedan.

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  Kathy Lees lil bugger (not bug) - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By kathy lee - May 21 - 9:16 am

  I can find absolutely nothing wrong with this car. I love where the window buttons are to let the windows up and down. I like the size, the chairarms position and movability. Only thing I got a crack in the windshield in Jan. 08 and havent gotten it fixed yet. My husband called at that time they were not even in stock for the new HHRs.

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  Love it/Hate it - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By AT - May 21 - 8:43 am

  First I love this car! Great power, room, and space in the truck! I purchase my SS brand new and it now has 180k miles. My biggest complaint seem to be OEM Parts. I have replaced the Wheel Bearing three times, Repairman told me there is a problem with GM on these, the original set last for 130k miles the second less than 3k. The new set is not OEM and came with a three year warranty. I have had to replace the accelerator senor (twice) and the door actuators (once). Any more replacement will not be OEM, Ive learned my lesson. Even with these issues I love this car. Please do not pull along the side and think you can beat me, you may lose your "pick slip", She a BEAST!!!

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  My Cobalt - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By lisa - May 21 - 8:10 am

  I purchased this little Honey a few months ago. Its perfect for me, but I would have liked power windows. I didnt know they made power doors and not power windows both on a car. I thought it was standard. Go figure. Its drive is perfect. The driver seat adjusts for a shorter person like me and I love it. Chevy has been really considerate for the shorter people. In my last car, I needed a pillow to see over the steering wheel, even with tilt steering. This is also my first Chevy, but wont be my last.

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  Good Car - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Brian M - May 20 - 10:27 pm

  Mine is a 2008 shadow edition with the leather interior. Very comfortable. Only issue is that it is back in the shop for tire issues due to vibration after 105 miles. Both rear tires are to be replaced by the dealer. Otherwise, great car!

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  Blind spot - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By vickysuzzy - May 20 - 7:23 pm

  Its a great little wagon! Fun to drive, and I am getting 31 miles to the gallon. The only thing I wish was different is how wide the bracing for the windshild is . It makes you look twice to be sure nothing is coming, that may be a good thing