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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  Powerful - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bass - March 12 - 6:53 pm

  Very impressed with this car. Its absolutely beautiful inside and out. Nice body lines. The car basically comes fully loaded without the high price tag. Ride is smooth. There really is nothing to complain about. Overall it really is a very nice car.

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  Reliable - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Johnny - March 12 - 1:49 pm

  I purchased it used (a rental car) at only a year old and have had it 14 years. I maintained it well and have found it to be very reliable. Aside from the usuals things (battery, muffler, belts) the only stuff I have had to replace are the alternator, valve cover gasket and brakes. While the A/C still works, the bearings must going (noise) and HVAC controls are not working properly. The paint is not bad, but a problem for these cars. For a 15 year old car though, the reliability is great. The 4 cylinder engine is anemic, but but suits me fine, and the fuel economy is poor is town (20 mpg), but great on the highway (35 mpg).

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  My baby! - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By CarmaroSS - March 12 - 11:23 am

  Bought new, and only ride on weekends in dry weather. One of my pastimes is to get out in the country on early Sunday mornings when there is no traffic and let er go! Wouldnt trade it for too many cars. Made a few improvements - exhaust, skip-shift eliminator ,short-stick with reduced travel gate, and larger petals for heel & toe, grill. Im considering 1owering springs, but dont want to stiffen the ride (Michigan roads - suggestions?). I also may get 18" wheels and tires.

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  Great Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Curtis - March 12 - 9:32 am

  My 2004 Colorado has almost 111,000 miles on it and with normal maintenance it has been a great truck. I get between 22 and 26 mppg. Engine is strong and never has used any oil. I am a tall guy and it has plenty of room.

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  Great 4x4 - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tmnavy - March 12 - 8:34 am

  We got our 05 Trailblazer LS 4x4 in Dec 05 and we love it. So much room, and power. A week after we got it we went from OH to CT, 740 miles one way, and averaged 21 mpg the whole trip and it did great in the snow.

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  2006 Silverado Truck - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ronald N. Burns - March 12 - 7:43 am

  Vehicle has very good performance and handling characteristics for work application on the farm. Power is more than sufficient for any work or load requirements in the farm operation. Ease of use and performance of 4 wheel drive is excellent.

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  Not a Bad First Car! 96 Z34 - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Rick - March 12 - 6:30 am

  This is not a bad first car, I enjoy driving it. It has power for a v6. Nice looking vehicle, and the gas mileage could be better. But I get about 19 mpg. Wish the body and underbody was more stable. So far I have replaced, (tps sensor front and rear struts, strut bushings, oil pan). Transmission is only good for about 80,000 miles. I love the vehicle though, it is worth the 6,000 I paid for it. Bought it at mileage 60,000 miles and now has 145,000 and still strong! Keep fluids up to date, and this vehicle is nice! Bought the car from my father back in 2005, am the second owner! I will never get rid of this vehicle!

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  Be careful with this car! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Barry - March 12 - 4:20 am

  I bought this car after test driving and reading online the glowing reports of this vehicle. Never in over my 36 years of driving have I been so disappointed in a car. I have had it to the shop for: Key stuck in the ignition, seat heaters not working, starter not functioning ( at least 6 times) Brakes making noises ( at least 12 times) re-progamming the CD player, transmission....need I go on. I write this as my car is now in the shop for the 3rd time in 3 weeks! Stay away from this car..very disappointed

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  Dont buy the 6 speed transmission! - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By el_hoppy - March 12 - 2:00 am

  At less then 100 miles on a new 2011 the transmission developed a noise and it jolts during low speed shifts. taken back to the twice and service manager says nothing can be done to fix it. $36K plus tax, owned for less than 2 months, and only 1K miles on it and I hate driving my new truck.

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  2003 Chevy Impala - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Larry Bisbing - March 11 - 6:55 pm

  We have had zero problems with our Chevy. Gas mileage is at a steady 27.1 per gallon which is acceptable. Most of all it is an American auto built by UAW, even if it is in Canada. We will be buying a 2008 model in the future.