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:

• 

  Nice Vehicle! - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Spencer Brown - March 21 - 1:25 pm

  We bought this Tahoe brand new with 15 miles on it. And we have never had any trouble out of it. We have taken it to be serviced every time it needed to be and its not that expensive on upkeep unlike my wifes Mercedes! This would probably be the best car for your money if your looking for a rugged rock hard family car! However the gas mileage is ok but could be better, especially with these high gas prices.

• 

  Converted Uplander for Wheelchairs - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By munshpe - March 21 - 10:09 am

  I bought a Braun Entervan (a Chevy Uplander that has been converted by the Braun Corporation for wheelchairs) 7 months ago and have had it in the shop 15 times. The ramp was improperly installed, the Smart box failed, the Braun wiring harness was broken, and the Braun applied weatherstripping fell off (I had a GM dealer fix some of these problems). Ive also had Onstar problems, seatbelt, and molding problems that are GM issues. The initial quality was very low.

• 

  Too Many Problems! - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Nora - March 20 - 11:47 pm

  I was happy at first, being that I waited and looked so long for a van. Despite my husband advising me not to buy a van, I did it anyway. First 2 months in, I had to replace the front brakes and something else with the brakes that was expensive. 4 months later, I had to replace the thermostat. The following summer,I had to replace the whole compartment where my rear lights plug in, it burnt out. Over the months I replaced all the bulbs and the thermostat again. Same year, had to replace the radiator and water pump. 2007 had to replace thermostat again, water pump again, gas gauge went out, cruise control went out. 2008 hose leaking antifreeze which led to a rod blowing, back lights acting weird.

• 

  Love this SUV! - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Great SUV - March 20 - 9:57 pm

  I went into the dealership just to look at the Equinox. (I did research online first) I test drove the car and after talking with the sales man I bought it. I gotta say I have only had it a month and I love it. Its high off the ground but not too high. The engine is so quiet. I would definitley recomomend it. In fact my mom might be getting one too.

• 

  Great little car - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By herbertthered - March 20 - 9:03 pm

  Very easy to get in & out of - Im 6. Has been great in a MN winter. Handling is excellent. Corners like a dream. Has plenty of power. Id forgotten how much I enjoyed driving a stick. Has a lot more room inside than youd think at first glance. Fuel economy according to display has been as high as 34+. During winter it dropped to 29+. Perhaps the best designed vehicle Ive had in 20 years. I checked the options & decided standard had everything I wanted. Plus, its "cool" - it will turn some heads.

• 

  Good long Hauler - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Living in NY - March 20 - 3:10 pm

  We just got our Aveo in December. I used it for a business conferance to Lake Geroge - 350 miles across southern NY. I set the cruise at 70 for most of the trip. Im a big fellow - 270 - and I felt the car was pretty peppy. Lots of head room and body room. And considering I averaged 34 mpg, I think the cars a good deal. The dealer sold the car to us for just under 12000, including rebates. All we added was cruise control. We only have three thousand miles on it, but so far it runs like a champ. By the by. I had good winter tires installed at purchased - along with extra rims. The car handles very well in heavy snow and on ice with those tires.

• 

  Love my LT2! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By malinche - March 20 - 1:15 pm

  Waited over 2 years to get my LT2 2.4 & absolutely love it. I get about 25 mpg city driving. I have a blast driving & look for any reason to do so. It is still pretty stock (the look is what attracted me to it & I still love it), but go to many car shows with it & get lots of compliments. My sister is even considering the SS for an everyday car (has an 07 Tahoe) to save on gas. We are a Chevrolet family and my chromed out LT2 is a nice addition to it. So open the sunroof, put on some cool fuzzy dice and go for a drive!

• 

  more costly to drive than you may think - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Greg - March 20 - 12:58 pm

  Though it would be better on fuel and save me some money, as it turns out I have been putting more repair money in it than fuel money. rear hatch wiper motor first then the ignition switch, followed by a computer,2 fuel injectors, wheel bearings, brake caliper, upper and lower ball joints, and the sun roof leaks (still). The check engine light has been on now again for 2 and a half months but I am afraid to take it in. even if it is the filters the dealer replaces every time it is more money than I want to spend on this lemon that now has 46000 miles, and about $5800 in repairs in the last 3 years

• 

  Great car - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By ed - March 20 - 2:23 am

  I dont know why GM never promoted this car.The fuel economy 20 city and 32 highway plus the fun to drive aspect make this car a much better value than the so called economy cars. I am 62 " 250 lbs,the two door feature of this model make it so easy to get in and out of.I love it.

• 

  My New Tahoe - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Mark Wogoman - March 19 - 9:49 pm

  I downsized from my 2005 Suburban, but havent regretted the loss of cargo area. I purchased this vehicle with all available options including the Z71 off road protection. Have had it loaded with 3 hunters, 25 geese decoys, 3 duck blinds and all our gear, and couldve added more, cant wait for turkey season. This vehicle handles exceptionally well and is an absolute pleasure to drive, always comfortable ride and has felt safe to drive in all of our weather conditions- rain, ice and snow.