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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  Horrible Electrical system - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By kdogg - September 3 - 1:04 am

  This vehicle has been in the repair shop for electrical problems 2 times, with only 5600 miles this annoying.The 291 horsepower rating, i think is wrong,more like 200 hp. Gas mileage is 12-14 city and 18-20 highway. Off the line acceleration is horrible,from 0- 40 feels like a go-kart, once you are past 40 mph acceleration is awesome. A Geo Metro can beat this vehicle off the line. Transmission is ok, but I think a 5 or 6 speed would improve performance and gas mileage. G80 rear locking differential is awesome, with this no need for 4wd. Wind noise is horrible at highway speeds, sounds like a window is open. Turning circle is great, better than most cars. Stability control is excellent.

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  Okay car - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By crazychemist78 - September 3 - 12:00 am

  We bought our 99 Malibu used. It handled fairly well, not at all as you would expect for its size. Since then, it has had new brakes 2x, has a perpetual coolant leak and constant electrical problems. The fuel gauge no longer works, two relays have gone out, the HVAC controller died, the blower resistor burnt out taking the blower with it. The windows work when they want to. The factory CD/cassette players no longer work. Not much power for a V6 (I could out-accelerate it in my 4cyl 5spd Kia Sephia.) Smooth ride. When the windows are rolled down hot air comes up through the floor. Have since bought a 2002 Malibu which has been a dream, so it could have just been this particular car or year.

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  I will never sell my Camaro SS - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By hcjmoose - September 2 - 10:00 pm

  This car is a beast. I swear I have never gotten tired in 7 years driving this car. Pure power car with great handling. I get nothing but compliments on my car. I you are looking for a sporty powerful ride get a 97 SS! Even the factory options are great. Only thing I added was new Flowmaster to make it sound a little meaner and a performance chip to give it a little kick.

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  One Cool Machine - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Harold - September 2 - 9:07 pm

  I reviewed online information for a month or more noting what others liked and disliked. So far, there have been no surprises. I have the 2LT package with many extras. The vehicle was purchased for my 30 mile one way commute over rolling terrain back roads. I average about 27-28 mpg on the daily commute. The ride is very good for a small vehicle.

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  I5 Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Jim - September 2 - 4:32 pm

  I bought the vehicle new and have had it 2.5 years. In that time an axle seal has failed twice, the a/c fan motor once and now it has the drivers window, door lock and fob problem. After a new BCM, fuse block and a $400 bill it still doesnt work. Seven times now Ive fixed the problem by taking the door module out, spraying the contacts, put it together and all works fine - for a day or two. This is an ongoing problem with the Colorado that Chevy wont recognize. Also the thing sounds at 62000 miles like what my old Explorer did at 120K miles.

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  Happy, Happy Ride! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By HAPPY RIDE IN MS - September 2 - 10:13 am

  I feel like I have a new toy! I love my little HHR. It is the perfect run- around-town car. It has enough get up and go for this grandma and good gas mileage too...about 26 mpg. It has good all around visibilty and handles well in town as well as in the country. I like the way it hugs the road at 55 mph. It seems so solid. I don[t think of it as a "truck", more like a big car drive in a small package. Its very easy to get in and get out of too.

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  Good experience - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By golfgreenzach - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Very good vehicle. Seems very solid and well built. No problems or warranty work required through 20 months of ownership.

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  Wifes Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Jimf - September 2 - 10:00 am

  I thought this was for me. I get to drive the car and she takes the truck. The 8.1 L engine combined with the allison automatic is perfect. Get 12+ mpg on the road and 9 to 10 pulling the 30 trailer. This is much better than my 93 ford ever did. The allison does make noise at low speeds but that is to be expected with heaver gears. We have made several trips and it performed perfectly.

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  Disappointed, and Problems - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Marty - September 2 - 1:52 am

  Sometimes the starter sticks, you may have to turn it off and restart it- sticks in the starting position. Tierods on both sides wear often-within 3000 miles. Bought car at 20000 miles and by 34000 miles had replace both tierods and steering rack. And at 37,000 miles tierods were popping again. Noise in the steering column was caused by a bad steering rack. Performance and milage excellent. Good stereo system. Bad design in frontend construction.

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  113,000 Miles and Going - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By DMR - September 1 - 9:19 pm

  Prizm was a Corrola made at the GM/Toyota NUMMI j/v in Long Beach, CA. It depreciates faster because it doesnt have the Toyota nameplate. Still quality: thats why I got it - and the decision paid off. I bought my 1998 Prizm LSI from Hertz for $9k in May 2001 with 28,000 miles on it. Biggest repair was A/C for ~$1500. The inside driver door handle breaks reliably every two years - thats the GM contribution. Passenger window motor needed replacing. Replaced the hose for power steering today. But, really, these repairs are not out of line for 90k of driving. With all that, it runs fine, is in good shape, gives me 28 mpg. 200k? Ill write a another review if we get there.