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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  Five years of a Malibu - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By James Parker - January 7 - 5:14 am

  After five years and 200,000Km some critical design problems are obvious. Front wheel bearings last about a year, ABS sensors are built in to the bearings and are suseptible to water, salt. $600 replacement cost. Power steering pump is also poor. Front seat belts are awkward to use. Paint quality is poor, clear coat has delaminated in several spots. Driveline is good, engine electronics trouble-free so far. Electric windows are a hassle. Factory sound system has average sound quality, both CD player and tape player. Seating is a bit harsh on long trips. Pass-through rear seats are good for carrying big stuff.

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  Hate to see you go... - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Elaine Braden - January 7 - 4:07 am

  I love my Suburban. It seems to work for erverything except fuel economy. I have enjoyed my car for five years. I expected to keep it longer. At this time the reliability is not doing well. At 90k I lost the transmission. I have felt extremely safe in this large vehicle.

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  Impala 3.4L - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By SDrega - January 7 - 2:00 am

  On a trip to Florida we averaged between 32-34 mpg, which I find extremely impressive for a car of this size and considering it is a six cylinder. I really like the ride, the comfort of the interior, and the big 4 wheel disc brakes. So far after 40k Ive had no mechanical problems. The car has had some annoying quality control problems including a rattling ash tray, a defective seat track which creaked and groaned, a rear window seal which kept popping out around the edges, and roof drip rail moldings which were popping out. Since these items have been fixed, Ive had no other problems and I really enjoy the car.

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  Beats the Camry - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Steve Eckert - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I was 99% sure that my next purchase was a Toyota Camry. I rented a Camry- and that is what I put 400 miles on the next two days. That car was all over the road (it is not a highway car), it was loud inside and the transmission was shifting on its own. I hated this car! So to the chevy dealer and took a Impala out to the highway and ......couldnt help but buy it. I love everything about it. What the Camry lacks the Impala has. The engineering is twice the Camrys. This Impala holds the road, has plenty of acceleration, seat comfort, lots of interior storage, interior colors and panels matched, outside paint is flawless...I love to drive this car.

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  Excellent combination - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By maria d fernandez - January 6 - 11:43 pm

  Drives very soft, I love it. It has a great driving view. My son loves the DVD system and the fuel economy is great. After driving a Kia Sedona, this minivan saves me a lot of money on gas.

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  Love this car! - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By hayhay - January 6 - 3:44 pm

  This car is so much fun to drive. It doesnt feel like you are even moving and suddenly you are cruising along at 85mph. I definitely recommend taking it for a test drive.

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  Its OK - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mike - January 6 - 1:45 pm

  Not a bad car. A little overpriced. A Honda S2000 would be a better choice. Fit and finish are fair, nothing to brag about. Interior is sparse and void of luxury, in fact dated and disapointing. Bought the car to try to recapture my youth (had a couple of 60s versions). Effort failed.

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  I got my moneys worth - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By vandy - January 6 - 1:50 am

  Wow -- I got my moneys worth and then some -- paid a shade over $11k (about the same # of miles on it at the time), and proceeded to run this thing into the ground. Just died 2 days ago (head gasket) with a whopping 179,000 miles. I have no complaints about this car. This car took out a deer at 65mph and did not blink (broken headlight, slightly dented hood). was also rear- ended (at speed) on the interstate by an old fella in a Buick. dented my license plate (slightly), while his grille/hood were a complete mess. I dealt with the slight rattles/noises the car developed (plastic covering tach/odometer display had an odd unrepariable squeak) because it never had any mechanical problems.

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  Satisfied customer - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Mike - January 6 - 12:47 am

  Pleasant and easy driving characterize the Aveo. Handling is agile and predicable with quick braking. Turning circles are short. The car is solid, well-built and heavy for its size. Its very economical on gas. It glues to the road well with proper tires. (Factory Kuhmos were replaced immediately after purchase.) The short nose, tall driving position, and superior forward view magnify the cars agility assets, making it easy to drive. The 1.6 L4 provides plenty of pep (4-sp auto). This car rides well, and handles well in snow. The cabin is spacious. I am 58", and my girl is 510" with very long legs. Limits: seats four only, trunk lid arms dip into trunk, lower than normal ground clearance.

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  Cannot wait for 2007 model - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By peteinpa - January 6 - 12:35 am

  Power, comfort and better control than my sedan. The wife and kids use it regularly and when they have to use Dads car...well...nobodys happy? The kids love it, my wife and I love it! And you will not feel safer. We cannot wait to order our 2007! For big families...this is the vehicle!