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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  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

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  Love my Avalanche! - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By shancock - May 20 - 1:46 pm

  I bought a new LT Avalanche in 2006 and just now traded it in to a 2008. We just wanted the new design. We had no problems at all with our 2006. I love the way they drive and handle. I wish I had paid the difference and got the LTZ package. I love everything about it and hope this one is as good as my 2006.

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  There is NOTHING like an American V8! - 2016 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Emoto - May 20 - 11:12 am

  This is a drivers car. The motor is intoxicating - both in power and sound. It is the most performance for the money that one can buy at the moment. Unlike the muscle cars of a bygone era, the 2016 Camaro SS handles as well as it accelerates, which is high praise, indeed. The interior is comfortable and well-appointed. Plenty of legroom, but if you are tall, you may want the sunroof, as merely having it means increased headroom in the car. The controls fall easily to hand. Magnetic ride and the adjustable exhaust are the way to go. Change from soft(ish) suspension and a quiet exhaust (Touring mode) to a more throaty exhaust and stiffer damping at the touch of a button. Set the ride to meet your mood or the conditions. Much has been made of visibility out of the cockpit. While no one is going to give the car a "great" rating on rearward visibility, it is certainly adequate.