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:

• 

  2000 chev prizm - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By jak - May 21 - 8:37 pm

  To be frank, i really enjoy driving it with respect to reliability, fuel economy and speed.It is cost effective, but the interior design is bogus-very cheap and has really dampen my love for the car. Door handles are very brittle interior materials peel off etc all sort of problems I hate it.

• 

  Not bad so far. - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By skypfry550 - May 21 - 7:12 pm

  Ive had the vehicle four years now. I declined to return it after the four year Smart Buy. Ill own it in three more years. 50,000 miles on it. No problems whatsoever except for the radio, which I had to replace at about 40,000 miles. Its been very reliable. I took a leap of faith by keeping it. I hope not to encounter any major problems before it hits 100,000 so Im gonna continue keeping it serviced regularly and take it easy out there.

• 

  I love this truck - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By rb - May 21 - 5:21 pm

  Bought my Avalanche with 12K miles in 2003, it now has 167K and going strong. Considering the miles, other than routine things like, brakes, shocks, oil and tires, this truck has broken down very little. I had some front end work done, pitman arm and ball joints at about 100k, and a knock sensor at 150K. I replace the water pump at 150K because the gasket was leaking and I had to remove it to do the gasket. The original brakes lasted 100k. Still on the original alternator, radiator, exhaust etc.

• 

  Few Bugs - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By sortafan - May 21 - 11:11 am

  Pretty much got what we paid for. Fun to drive (once you learn how to see out of it), great storage and gas mileage in the 30 mpg range thanks to mostly freeway driving. You get used to the quirky window control placements and cup holder issues. But remotes both failed, radiator sprung a leak and ignition failed (couldnt turn off engine one day). Those thing shouldnt happen in first two years.

• 

  My 02 Prizm LSi - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Ralph0722 - May 20 - 8:43 pm

  I bought this car used last month. I must say im very happy with this small zippy car. 1.8L VVTi is noisy but runs economical. 4AT shifts smoothly. Interior room is tight, back seat has no leg room back there. I consider this a 2 people car or a college student car (i am one). Trunk size is ok for class. Design is clean and simple, very Toyota like. Since this car is the same as a Corolla parts are available everywhere.

• 

  Im Happy - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By GJM - May 20 - 5:11 pm

  I bought this car from a Chevy dealer in Anchorage. It had seen service as a rental with National, which is owned by GM. I got it primarily for commuting to work, save on gas, and keep miles down on my truck. I had a Metro once before and loved it. It was my parking lot command vehicle since I could always find a parking spot due to its size. I got 37.5 mpg driving home from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and about 31 mpg around town. This is what I wanted and I am glad I bought it with a bumper to bumper warranty, at a reduced GM price provide by dealer. What is there not to like. I am wondering how it will fare during our ferocious winters up here in Alaska, but I am happy none the less.

• 

  Love/ Hate - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By lss - May 20 - 12:46 pm

  I have had my t-blazer for 5+ years. It had 99,000 but I have made several major repairs. Thank god we got the extended warranty. The exhaust manifold had to be replaced twice now, catalytic converter, DVD system, now the fuel gauge is not working and it is leaking tranny fluid. I am keeping it as long as I can but I think after 3 GM with problems I am moving on.

• 

  1999 Chevy Prizm - 4 Dr Base Model - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Ess Bee - May 20 - 12:05 pm

  I bought this car from a family member, with 14,000 mi. on it. Ive followed the maintenance manual and have had NO problems! Ive had to replace the tires, oil, spark plugs, serpentine belt and battery the normal maintenance stuff. I had to have the A/C charged a few times - but that only $20. It now has 115,000 miles and has NEVER broken down. Its been a fabulous car! I was informed that it is really a TOYOTA COROLLA with a Chevy name plate on it. Chevrolet and Toyota entered into a Joint Venture and produced this wonderful, dependable car - I wouldnt have purchased it otherwise. And its great on gas.

• 

  I was told it had 1001 improvements - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By clint - May 19 - 2:12 pm

  Bought it new, it has 93,000+ miles, 3rd day the traction control light came on, it was a loose pvc connection at valve cover, not long after that the courtesy lights on the rear view mirror and trunk quit working, didnt care, the steering tilt lever falls out, didnt care about that either, the brakes havent been serviced yet, theyre still good, but theres a good vibration when braking especially from highway speeds, dont care about that, the transmission started to slip and clunk into gear about 10,000 miles ago, Im kind of worried about that, it goes away after it warms up, theres oil leaking from somewhere above the oil filter, it runs good though, I would say it needed more than 1001 improvements

• 

  150 MPH for $5K - 1996 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Kris - May 18 - 5:04 am

  Bought used with 140,000 miles for $5K. Have replaced fuel pump, purge solenoid, and both catalytic converters and complete fluid change and maintenance. Car runs great and is fun to drive. Strong mechanical knowledge is recommended for ownership of this car or you will spend $$$ on labor for maintenance. If you spend a couple hours a month on it for maintenance it will give you years of trouble free service. If you neglect it it will neglect you. Replacement parts and maintenance parts are inexpensive and available everywhere. I had a "84 Z28 that had 360,00 miles on it when I sold it and it ran great.