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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  Great Truck Good Performance - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By ShadowKyo - April 1 - 11:42 pm

  I got the Chevy Colorado because I was tired of driving small cars. I am glad I did, I enjoy the fact that I am higher off the ground great visibility. Interior is top notch compared to some of the other trucks I looked at, very modern. Has the looks of a bigger Silverado without the pain at the pump. Also the automatic is smooth and after driving nothing but manuals for the last few years, its nice to not be jerked around. Only complaints I have are the keyless entry doesnt work aall the time the first time and the engine fan is incredibly loud when its engaged.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By lilcrown - April 1 - 11:11 pm

  I bought this car new, Its only been a year and I want to get rid of it! Ive had problems with the transmission, wiring, the stereo system. The passenger airbag said off when I had an adult sitting in the passenger seat! There are strange noises and it goes back in the shop tomorrow because its making a jerking motion when Im accelerating at a consistent pace, and shaking when I take my foot off the brake! Ive already had this car in the shop for 6 things, now itll be 7, and its been in the shop for 21 days already not to mention how long it will have to be in this time! I think I would have been better off getting used! Not worth the money! GM really disappointed me with this one!

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  Great vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By scott in ct - April 1 - 10:09 pm

  I have owned my TrailBlazer for a few months now and have had no problems to this day. The vehicle is great on trips and in the snow. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Cant beat the price!! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jay Bartel - April 1 - 7:53 pm

  GM rebates and other incentives convinced me that I could be happy with this stylish domestic vehicle. The ride is excellent, with the Saab platform. The 4 cyl. is a bit of a dog but the mileage Im getting is worth overlooking this (28 ave., city.) The seats are comfortable and the instrumentation is easily reached and visually convenient. Real nice sound system for an "aging rocker"! Lots of backseat and truck space in addition to the spacious front cabin area. Handling is adequate as are the brakes. The Malibu meets my realistic expectations of a quality car. It is not however, my Camry.

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  My very first car, and boy am I happy wiith it! - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jesus - April 1 - 6:57 am

  I bought this car for $850 from some shady dude. I was skeptical since its my first time buying a car but I think I got a pretty good deal! Car has 208k miles on it and it runs like a champ. Ive owned it for around 6 months now, drive it everyday for work. Gas mileage is amazing, 15 bucks fills the tank and it lasts around a week and half! It handles beautifully and its pretty fast too. It currently has only 2 issues, the gas gauge went bad and it needs the passenger side engine mount replaced, but its nothing serious or that cant be fixed. I truly recommend this car if youre looking for your first car.

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  My HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By SakiTX - April 1 - 2:20 am

  Great vehicle. Fun to drive. Lots of compliments. Have one drawback. Small noise in dash that cant be found yet.

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  Comfortable Ride with Poor Relability - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Melissa Martin - April 1 - 12:16 am

  Bought a clean, well maintained car in good shape with 196K and Im now at 230K. Ive replaced:heater control switch,4X4 switch, wiper delay module,complete exhaust (inc. catalytic convertor & 02 sensors), brakes & lines, EGR valve,ECM,ignition wires,cap & rotor,fuel filter & tires. The truck also needs a gas tank & sending unit,front wheel bearing and a driver side door lock. Thank god my boyfriend is a mechanic - otherwise I would hate this car. Parts-wise its costing a fortune. I bought it cheap but Im paying for it. Dont buy this car used if you want something reliable. Look to something like a Toyota Rav4, I wish I did! A comfortable but expensive ride with poor gas mileage(16-20mpg)

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  Well Folks youre right. - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By DDstorm - March 31 - 6:58 pm

  As I have read in these post and now the proud owner of an 08 coupe, all I can say is folks youre right. I only have 400 miles on it to date and that was 2 days worth on the road. From the beginning this vehicle has been nothing but a hit. Quick acceleration, fine curvy features, great paint, comfortable ride, hud. If your in the market for one. Please do yourself a favor. Buy.

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  Try it you wiill like it - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By WOW - March 31 - 2:47 pm

  I purchased my vehicle in 2006, at that time it had 74000 miles and I have had it for about one and a half years. I have had to replace the throttle body, but overall, it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. It is spacious,the dvd keep the passengers occupied, second row captain chairs are very comfortable and the third roow seating, really can seat adults. If you havent noticed I have the LT model and I did not think American vehicle had it in them, but I tell you if you are looking for space, this is it. try it you will like it,convince my cousin to buy one and hes lovin it.

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  08 LTZ in Kansas City - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Kansas CIty 08 LTZ - March 31 - 2:38 pm

  I traded in my 07 Trailblazer SS for this vehicle. It rides far better and while it does not have the blazing fast speed of the SS, it does very well for a big truck and gets a lot better fuel economy than the SS did with its LS2 Corvette motor. Still Adjusting the the size of it vs. the TrailBlazer, but overall am very happy with it. Got a great deal--almost 10,000 of the sticker and 0% financing to boot. I believe that I will be very happy with this vehicle.