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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  fun but it has its problems - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By chevycavalierowner - March 17 - 11:47 pm

  I just bought this car with 50,000 miles on it. The car drives excellent. IT is real fun to drive. The only thing wrong with it is its real cramped inside, and the car car is real torquey.

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  Happy but a few issues - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Nick - March 17 - 6:18 am

  Well I purchased my vehicle used with 26k on it, thus far I love it as it replaced an 08 Pathfinder. Nice pick up and performance. Spacious and comfy on long rides. I have had some issues thus far such as passenger door lock actuator, idler pulley, and now an oil leak. All of which have been or will be repaired under warranty. If not for these issues it would have been 10s across the board.

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  Much Better. Now refine it! - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Richard G - March 16 - 10:17 pm

  I purchased the 6 cylinder LTZ version of the Malibu and was impressed with its styling, quality, and the price. GM has finally built a car that is on par if not better than its Asian competitors. Remember I said a car and thats the Chevy Malibu. Fortunately for GM Toyota beat itself which only leaves Honda and Hyundai to contend with. The Malibu is quick and dangerous off the line which great horsepower and nerve racking torque steer and wheel spin. Horsepower and front wheel drive system are not good bedfellows. The interior quality is good and the exterior design is very good but could use some tweaks. The engine is quiet but does groan nicely. Overall I recommend this car.

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  Watch Head Gaskets - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jim - March 16 - 5:06 pm

  I rated this car on 4/28/09. During routine oil change at dealer, they pointed out the head gaskets & crank gasket were leaking on 3.5 liter. It was all replaced under warranty and they gave me a loaner. The honeymoon phase is over. It is still a practical vehicle with awesome hwy. mileage. I find the quietness of the Impala therapeutic for my commute home. Its an almost "Zen-like" feeling of peace when I tune out the chaotic world in my car with XM radio. Even with radio off, its just a quiet and solid car.

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  My gas sipping money saver - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Cher - March 15 - 4:49 pm

  I love the gas millage this car gets. I have had it a year and it still gets 37mpg highway and 26-27 city. I do 65mph on the highway, not 55. However, to keep the gas mileage great you must change the oil and filter once every 3,000 miles, not 6,000 miles like the dealership tells you to. THIS IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO A HYBRID CAR. I couldnt afford a hybrid so I bought this car and it really does get the gas millage Chevy advertises. Not to mention its a lot better looking than a Toyoda Prius. The lock cylinder on the car did go at 16,000 miles but my warranty covered that.

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  Impressed - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By J - March 13 - 9:02 pm

  Ive really enjoyed my Impala both my wife and I enjoy it more than her Maxima. Ive had no problems until recently which include the cruise control turning itself off and at the same time interior fan will stop for a brief moment. Ive enjoyed the car so much Ive considered trading my wifes Maxima in on a another Impala (her Maxima has surprisingly a number of problems). Mine is the LS w/o leather or the sunroof.

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  I would buy another one - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By lt9599 - March 13 - 9:44 am

  I am very happy with my purchase. This vehicle drives well in the snow and rain. I love the AWD, and the wide wheel base. The chrome package makes it look cooler than the the standard LT models.

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  Happy so far - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jj - March 13 - 7:47 am

  Purchased this car after having two Chrysler 300s. Was impressed with the drive and interior features/appointments the Malibu offered. Biggest issue is getting used to less interior room compared to the 300, but this car offered more with the satellite radio, hands free Bluetooth, etc. Primary issue Im having is the steering tends to want to drift right. I already had this in the dealer and they made an adjustment and it still does it. A bit frustrating. Also the steering when turning doesnt appear overly smooth, but getting used to it. Also dont really care for the location of the manual shifting levers on the steering wheel. Mileage is decent and overall I am satisfied.

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  new SUV to replace worn out Mini-van - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By jtbea - March 13 - 2:47 am

  tired of tired mini-van with no towing capacity... but loved the 3 rows of seats and DVD player and gas mileage of van. Happened upon the traverse and happily traded in. Added on everything but sunroof and backup camera...even 2-tone leather seating. Wife loves it and kids love it... and Dad doesnt mind driving it either!

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  I dread the day it dies - 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Steve G - March 12 - 3:10 pm

  Bought new in 1995, this vehicle has displayed unbelievable reliability. At 220,000 miles, it has seen many of my friends cars, foreign and domestic, sputter to an early expensive grave. Running costs are astoundingly cheap, even considering the unimpressive gas mileage. I had the transmission rebuilt at about 150,000, but thats the only major repair. I drive it cross-country with complete confidence. Its easy to speed on the highway as the ride is so comfortable and the power readily available. While the dash is made of hard, cheap plastic, the gray cloth seats are indestructible, with no stains or rips. I hope it lasts many more years, as I dont see any affordable reliable replacement.