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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  Buyer beware - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Wendy - April 10 - 1:29 pm

  I have never owned a vehicle that spent as much time in the shop as this vehicle has. Yes, I love the power and the unique sporty look, but its all a facade. This vehicle has spent nearly 60 days in the shop for various problems and it has under 14K miles. GM did not manufacture sufficient replacement parts to fix these vehicles either. So be warned. So far, they had to replace my starter & ignition, both internal door releases, the water pump, and the latest is the headlights and other electircal and something with the center console. And the cupholders everyone seems to mention, mine broke too. This vehicle has been in the shop an average of every 2K miles. A 2 rating was generous!

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  trying to get rid of it - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By berdiddly - April 10 - 11:02 am

  This was my first car I bought on my own, second car to have. I bought it with 35,000miles, and a week later had to buy a new battery. Three months later had to buy a new alternator. A week later the seat adjustment handles broke off. At 40,000 miles the gas gauge went out. 60,000 miles, my heater went out and found out that I have a leak in my radiator so I have to fill that constantly, I also found an oil leak. Now at 72,000 miles, I have had to replace the bearings, brakes and rotors TWICE in one month. I wish I would have known about this web site before I bought my car. Be sure to research all cars.

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  Best Small Car - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob - April 10 - 10:41 am

  This is one fine small car. Interior comfort and quility is more than expected for a car that cost 8998 with air.The exterior is great to me. I love it.Now as to mileage going back and forth to work and driving around no highway I have gotten over 40 miles to a gallon. I do drive easy but still I think for the cost there is no comparision to other cars in class. This is by far better.I know others would not be better on mileage than this one I own. Best small car I have owned and I have owned Toyota, Honda, Ford, Masda. I think for price I paid and mileage I get this is the cheapest to own dont care how you compute it. Love this car.

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  My HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By ProJenn - April 10 - 4:03 am

  I love my HHR. I love the design and the comfort. It is very easy for my 4 year old to get in and out and do her own seat belt, which was important. For a small car I was happy to find not only a booster seat but a full size car seat fit comfortably in the back seat. The window controls could have been put in a better place and I feel like I am sitting up high. Overall I am very happy with my HHR. Gas mileage is great. Only one cup holder in the back. That kinda stinks.

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  Can I Get It Paid Off Any Faster?! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Stephanie - April 10 - 3:13 am

  Owned chevys all my life... What a disappointment! The back doors get dirty, snow, mud, compacted.. The brakes wear very unevenly, and now theres a creaking with every turn... And fuel economy.. Whats that? I fill up about every other day, its disgusting! Theres no such thing as a quiet drive, this thing picks up every bit of noise! Bad, bad, bad idea... Never again.

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  Good ol Plain Jane Crew Cab - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By drwooly - April 10 - 12:26 am

  Bought this truck because they FINALLY made the 1500 Crew Cab. I think we did it right. Fit, finish, performance is very good. ( Cmon people, its a truck! Anything better than 16-18 mpg, and drag strip performance, youll have to build yourself! ) I have put on dual exhaust, and an air intake system, and increased mileage, but its good enough to start with! The only thing I would change is getting the long-bed. Also, after-market/dealer-installed tonneau cover is a joke! But overall, a very good, competent truck. LT pkg. makes it even better than some cars.

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  My Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Dave - April 9 - 10:25 pm

  I love my Avalanche. My wife was not sure but she loves every thing about it now. I had a Chevy that would get 35 mpg on the highway but I traded mpg for how I feel after a long trip. To maximize fuel economy it shows when you are in V8 mode or V4 mode and it will show you how much mpg you are getting. By watching my "mode" I can get 21 mpg on the highway or 18 with the E85 fuel. Plus after driving from Iowa to Texas and back again I felt like I drove accross town. I wish I could afford one today for my wife.

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  Why did i buy this? - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Nick - April 9 - 8:45 pm

  I bought this truck for $2,500 back in 2006. I have put money into it than what I bought it for. Brakes 3 times, and theyre going again, water pump, heater core, ABS brakes dont work, 4wd doesnt work. Seat motor died, driver side window motor is dying. Both mirrors dont work electronically. Also, I had to replace my washer fluid pump, but the back windsheild washer still doesnt work, also replaced exhaust. Also, the frame rusts and paint chips off. Bad MPG as well. Word of advice...dont ever ever ever buy one unless you have the money and patience to maintain it

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  Great car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By TAL28 - April 9 - 10:00 am

  This is a very well built car, with a engine known for its reliability. We looked at almost all other vehicles in this price range from other manufacturers and have to say it was pretty obvious that chevys build qulity is top notch. Not only under the hood but the Impala on the interior just (for lack of a better word) feels so much better. The other cars in this price range from Dodge and Ford really use alot of cheap plastic giving it a really cheap feel.

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  Dissatisfied - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Camie - April 9 - 8:03 am

  We have had several trips to the dealership with repairs on this vehicle. The automatic rear passenger door tries to open while car is in motion. "fixed" at least 4 times. The car only starts when it wants to. You have to push the gas to start the vehicle. I would not suggest buying this vehicle.