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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  Rockin Car - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Terry - January 8 - 5:05 pm

  This is my company car and if I were to go and purchase a 4 door sedan for myself this would be it. I like the power, comfort and fuel economy. I go to Baltimore every month and average 40 to 42 mpg on the highway. The V6 has punch to pass and light up the tires if you want. Traction control is nice and it has plenty of leg room. If you have an older child or adults that sit in the back you may select the Pontiac G6 instead (same platform and engine). I look forward to the new design for 2008 and I will be getting a new one as soon as they come out. I have heard that some of this years have had some problems but if you are buying used they would be fixed since most issues were within 1st 10K.

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  Poor Reliability - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Bryce Christensen - January 8 - 2:55 pm

  Z71 Ride quality is very good and the vehicle is fun to drive. However the vehicle has had numerous reliability problems at 50,000 miles. The instrument cluster has gone bad, front end is loosening up, shocks gave out, replaced side mirrors, lights, etc. Recommend selling once the warranty expires or purchasing an extended warranty. Or purchase a better engineered SUV and avoid the extended warranty and service hassles all together. Actual gas mileage is around 13 MPG on average.

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  Should have bought one a long time ago - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Lonnie - January 8 - 1:53 pm

  This rig was built for towing. Unbelievable. When towing my RV trailer through west/central Texas hill country, the Allison transmission down shifts and keeps my RPM within 200 rpm. It never struggles, maintains excellent fuel economy. When towing my off road jeep on my 16 trailer is effortless. I have even taken my traction control off and spun the tires of asphalt pavement while accelerating. 660 ft/lb torque is strong!

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  SS (LS2) Power - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dae - January 8 - 1:47 pm

  This one is fun to drive and very quick. The 6.0 has more than enough power. The interior is well done but there are some cheap plastics on the doors and dash. The rubber trim on the exterior winshield had to be glued back on after an 80 mph cruise. Overall much more satifying than my 2005 EB Explorer. I recently took a 400 mile trip (all on the interstate)and averaged 17.2 mpg at 75mph. The same trip in the 4.0 liter Explorer averaged 19.5.

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  Great Car - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mako - January 8 - 5:46 am

  This has been a good auto for over 11 years. Very few problems.

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  Best Suburban Ever - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Burbman - January 7 - 10:02 pm

  Second Suburban Ive owned. Previous one was 3/4ton 4x4. The 2007 is absolutely incredible. How they make that solid of a ride so smooth I dont know. The new body design looks so much sleeker, less boxy and biggish. Couldnt talk the wife into it initially ("its too big"). But now she wants me to drive the Maxima and her the Suburban. Now shes saying, "Its so easy to drive." Of the big SUVs this is definitely the boss!

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  Beats imports hands down - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By chevyschubert - January 7 - 9:49 pm

  The truck runs great. I have only had my truck for 10 months now and I have drivein over 12,000 miles and no problems. I got it with 14 miles on it and the mpg leveled out at 20-21 in city with my driving (fast light take off, steady speed of 40-55mph, fast stop and go.) I nailed a curb at 45-50 mpg and only bent the rim. I have the most standard package avalible. My entire family has GM produts and the reliability is outstanding and 2 to none and one place over Dodge which I have owned. The Colorado is by far the best modern mid-sized truck for the money and investment. This is the 2nd best truck I have owned next to the 64 Chevy El Camino I have.

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  Wow, what a car - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By STEVE - January 7 - 9:17 pm

  I love this little car. I have never owned a small car. It is fun to drive in city or highway. The engine is a bit small especially if going up hill. Good gas mileage with automatic trans. 26 city 37 highway. No problems so far after 19000. There is room for 4 big people even on long trips. The front seat is a bit uncomfortable for a big guy. I have notice driving thru snow is a little more difficult, maybe the tires and not the car.

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  Wow - Outstanding - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Keith - January 7 - 8:39 pm

  Just bought this car 2 months ago and now have 800 miles. This car is everything you have read about it. Excellent performance, accleration, comfort, and economical for a sports car. Name another 400hp car that gets 28 mpg on the highway, 0-60 in under 5 seconds, and is very comfortable as a daily driver and on the highway. Monterey Red with cashmere interior and polished aluminun wheels looks great! I got the 6-speed which is a blast to drive. XM radio with Bose stereo sound great as well. Rear luggage can easily stow 2 sets of golf clubs with room for the removable top. Very quiet on the highway on most surfaces. The run flat tires are a bit noisy on concrete.

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  Great looks, lots of power, so-so feeling - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Impala - January 7 - 5:02 pm

  I love the look of this car. It may be the best looking car I have ever owned. Plenty of power from the 3800 v- 6, but lesser gas mileage than the other 3800s I have owned. The leather seats are hard, non-breathing and somewhat uncomfortable. The car seems excessively noisy to me. The dealer replaced a catalytic converter, and I had some suspension work done. There is a whine, I believe in the power steering, but the dealer cant hear it. That may be because it is still covered by a GM extented warranty. I do not think I would buy anymore Chevrolets due to what I perceive as a lack of production quality and long-term durability. My similar (W chassis) Olds Intrigue was better and more reliable