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:

• 

  Buggy - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By colopete - March 31 - 7:28 pm

  Bought the car new and have found it to be a fun car to drive, it handles pretty well although the torque steer under hard acceleration is pretty amazing. No issues with any of the major mechanical systems although it could use a better suspension as the car will hop pretty badly under hard acceleration off the line. Very irritating minor quality issues -- particularly with the interior and while it is not an expensive car, should not be happening in todays quality driven environment. GM missed the mark overall and we most likely will not buy another GM product for many number of years due to our continued irritation with this car. Wont say stay away, just buyer beware!

• 

  I wish I had this car brand new - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tina - March 31 - 7:16 pm

  I bought the car used with 110 k and put new tranny in @ 115,000 k. Its needed front end work pretty much regularly. Ball joints, etc etc. The 4X4 is great! I got really good gas mileage until the fuel pump went out, now its the standard 16 mpg.(was getting about 21mpg before!) The interior has nice luxury features. My favorite being the auto shut off of any light or anything plugged into the charger so the battery doesnt die. Blazer now has 150,000 plus miles and the radiator is rusted all the way through to heating coils etc. Have really had limited problems and been very reliable considering the lack of upkeep on maintenance due to financial difficulty.

• 

  Disgusted - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jacqie13 - March 31 - 1:38 pm

  I bought my trailblazer LT may 2009 already I have electric problem no front lights dealer says he doesnt fix them my gas tank gauge stopped working in October 2009 and they said they cant fix it now my stabilizer is malfunctioning and yes you guessed it they cant fix that either what was the purpose of buying a warranty for $1750.00 and it doesnt cover anything

• 

  Just cant let it go - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Andy - March 29 - 10:14 pm

  Ive had this truck since 2006. It was an intentionally sought out buy, and overall, Im glad I bought it. I think the more people/weight/cargo, the better it drives and handles (minus the very weak braking). It is extremely comfortable, quick enough in its own right, and handles well. Economically, MPG are less than desirable (mine are about 10/11 and around 13 highway). Little did I know at the time of purchase, but this was a fleet vehicle that was very poorly maintained. It was beaten up pretty badly, but with some TLC, a new transmission, and routine maintenance, its a fine riding, good looking truck.

• 

  Trouble from the word go! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Britt - March 28 - 10:05 am

  I bought my Malibu brand new in 2008 and owned it for 2 years before it caught fire stemming from the catalytic converter. The car first had a valve in the transmission not opening and closing. Then the catalytic converter and entire exhaust system went out. The door lock motor went out. My car went through 3 catalytic converters which were replaced by the dealership and 3 days after the last replacement the car caught fire and burned to the ground. I would not suggest this car to anyone. Beauty only goes so far! If you do purchase this vehicle please buy GAP insurance through your dealership!

• 

  Cobalt - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By RickD - March 27 - 5:16 pm

  Best quality of this car is its QUIET. Nice riding car with lots of power.

• 

  So far so good - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mark - March 25 - 1:13 pm

  Its easy to change the oil, which was impossible on my wifes GEO Prism. I have taken it on several 2000 mile fishing trips to Canada, Minnesota - its easy to load, easy to drive, visibility and clearance like a pick up truck but has better speed. Disappointing gas mileage. For some reason, Ive had to replace several headlamps. Currently one is clearly full of condensation and will probably fail soon. Id get another, if newer models can get better gas mileage.

• 

  couldnt be better - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jimn - March 23 - 10:49 pm

  Bought 2004 cavalier in 2005 from courier company I drove it for. After 13 months it had 108,000 miles, all highway driving 160 miles each way. Outstanding service records and maintenance. Paid 2250 for it with 60% tires, can you say stole it. Wife drives daily at 30 plus per mile. Have taken on several 800 to 1000 mile trips mileage as high as 38.5

• 

  LTZ - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By park9properties - March 23 - 9:00 pm

  Very nice truck. They blew alot of wasted space that could be used for storage, ie rear doors and third seating area. Also the drivers door has been out of alignment since day one. They have fixed it twice but no luck. I have only averaged 16.4 on the highway. I have just noticed a small amount of oil on the garage floor. I still cant bel. they cant perfect the 3 rd row seat storage. Break your back moving it in and out.

• 

  so far so good - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By scotty - March 23 - 7:57 pm

  Have put on 10000km so far on this car.Bought it used at 50000km. All in all its a great car, only issue so far is water in the headlight and squeaky front brakes, The tranny shifts rough sometimes. It will be interesting what the long term reliability of this car will be. great ride great gas mileage, 4 cyl works perfect. i wanted a turn key operation kinda car and so far so good.