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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  Awful arm rest - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By lee - May 17 - 3:33 pm

  After reading a number of complaints, I can count myself blessed. My problem is the arm rest that collapse under warranty and now has collapsed again. The trim around the sun roof fell off. I was told that I had to purchase the kit & it was simple to snap back in place. I couldnt do it. Paid 48.00 for the dealer to put it on, same problem the trim has fallen off again. Visor mirror cover snap off in my hand. Buyer beware of the small things too.

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  Love the burban - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By eholmes - May 16 - 3:51 pm

  Bought this truck in 04 with 87K after my pregnant wife complained that her new caravan stunk in the snow. Well the Suburban has been with us ever since. This thing is a Sherman tank in the snow. The amount of room in this thing still amazes me. We fit a new washer and dryer in this thing behind the second row seats. Did the same thing with a Christmas tree. The reliability has been exceptional too. Replaced pads and rotors right after I bought it, then again last year with 122K. The only other repair I had to make was the intake gasket at about 100K which was about $500. Long live the "burban

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  Great Vehicle - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Kris - May 16 - 12:44 pm

  Bought used with 10k miles for $12K. Saved thousands off new and still looks and smells new. Styling is great and there are a lot of customized parts available. It has the solid rear quarter panels which is extremely rare and it gets looks everywhere I go. Great mileage and very user friendly. Highly recommend.

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  Very good car, and Fun to drive - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Duke - May 16 - 5:01 am

  Good performance, enjoyable, and Fun to drive. I can get 29-30 mile per gallon.

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  Love love love my Chevy Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By julie - May 14 - 8:25 pm

  I bought my Chevy Impala SS new and I love it. I did have some problems right after I bought it with something in the steering column which I must admit was very frustrating but this car has started every day for the last 6 years without fail. It has definite power when called upon. This car is a great car and I plan on driving it for many years to come!

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  Great car, annoying problems - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Cass - May 14 - 8:20 pm

  We bought this car used and it was in really good condition, It had 22k on it and now has 60k. We have experienced the rotor shudder but took it to a brake shop and had a successful resolution. Luckily we have not had the leak issue, but recently had the gear selector not engage properly to release the key which is now on acc until I can fix the problem. So we love the comfort, gas mileage, sporty handling and great acceleration. Cup holders inadequate for those of you who commute, the window buttons and blind spots took some getting used to but the annoying little problems that cost money that are totally unnecessary if GM could get their quality and design quirks worked out and dealers on board

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  Paint bubbling not covered by warranty - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mollyj - May 13 - 4:13 pm

  Really love the 2008 Equinox but on a trip this winter, the computer burned up and at that time we noticed three bubbles on the hood. When we returned home we pointed out the bubbles to our dealer and he said it was not covered under warranty. If warranty states bumper to bumper, doesnt that include paint.

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  LTZ owner - 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Roy - May 12 - 9:41 pm

  This is my second avalanche going from a 2002 to a 2009. More bells and whistles but the performance is better in the 02.Some short changes on the 09 are sun visors 02 had 2 on each side,09 has one per side. No extenders on the 09,two on 02. Only one light in bed area, 02 had one on each side. 09 is air tight when doors are closed radio and nav are excellent. 02 still in family only different driver. Now has 90,000 miles on 02 and never been back to the dealer. Hope the 09 proves this good.

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  Multiple Problems - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By dlm - May 12 - 5:28 pm

  Bought the dealers model with 10,000 miles on it, it has been in the shop 8x and counting with only 36,500 miles. After 1 month, veh. died while driving, dealer had it 2 weeks wks I was told "talking to Detroit" they replaced fuel pump. 1 week later started truck and was letting it warm up and it shut off and would not restart. Engine light has come on multiple times and dealer has been unable to find problem. The front pass door has broken twice. Had to have the CV boot replaced 2 months ago, now have rust and bubbling on driver door that dealer will not cover. Still not resolved are whistling through radio that increases with acceleration and turn on rear defrost causes radio to go out.

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  A very comfortable ride - 2009 Chevrolet Express
  By Mark Lisle - May 10 - 11:02 am

  Very comfortable to drive in both seating comfort and excellent handling. Very smooth engine and transmission with plenty of power. For a large van, economy is pretty good - up to 19 mpg on highway, and averaging over 16 mpg for all driving combined. Very efficient cruise control. This is a much more comfortable driving and handling vehicle than the Honda Pilot that it replaced,