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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  Worst Car Ever.... - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By leola30 - February 13 - 10:12 am

  I bought this car in January 2011 and it has giving me nothing but trouble since. First, The sliding door went. Then, the when it rained the heat and the windows wouldnt work. Then the gas gouge was broke because It will say it had a half tank of gas then the car would stop and it would be because theres no gas...Then the Glove box broke off. And then I woke up and the car is not starting. The car has went completely hay wire....The car might look nice but It is a piece of junk.

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  Overall - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By malibu13 - February 12 - 6:17 pm

  I am very disappointed in the trunk opening and very, very disappointed in the gasmileage for a car rated at 48 mpg that gives something between 25 & 35 mpg depending on the length of drive and weather conditions. Why no driving lights on the LT2 model?

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  Original Owner Since New - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By cc732 - February 11 - 8:18 pm

  I originally leased this car new and bought it in 09. I drove the car 350 miles a week for the first 2 years (35,000 mi.) until I retired from General Motors Canada. It now has about 60,000 miles with no problems. Tires and brakes were replaced at about 35,000 mi. Four Uniroyal TigerPaw II snow tires solved the winter driving issues and four Michelin HydroEdges are used in the summer. Oil changes were being done when the oil life monitor indicated. Gas mileage is good at about 40 mpg. (combined) with the automatic transmission. The key sticking issue and the water leakage were fixed at my local dealer to my satisfaction. he still does all the maitenance on the vehicle.

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  I got fooled - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By buttarz - February 11 - 1:40 pm

  After reading alal these reviews on here last February in 2012 i decided to go along with the flow and buy the cobalt. I bought it used at 50k for about $8500. Please, i beg of you, if you live anywhere where incement weather is an ongoing thing then DO NOT BUY A COBALT. i have the base ls model and i recently bought new all season tires for my front wheels and my back wheels are at about 80%. however, when it snow I have to drive at like 20 mph to avoid getting into an accident. couple weeks ago while driving, I hit a little patch of snow and my car did a 360 and hit a guard rail on the highway. Luckily there was so much snow on it the car recieved a minor scratch. the plus side is gas mile

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  One Hell Of A Car - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jc775 - February 8 - 11:43 pm

  To Start off, I dont care about the negative comments foreign car fans have to say. The Chevy Malibu is an amazing car! I got my 03 in04 as a first car and im happy i did. This car got me home EVERY time. Yes ive changed the Intake manifold gasket and fuel pump but like they say, take care of the car, car will take care of you. Just recently, I was coming down the mountain road covered in black ice. Going the 50 mile speed limit, the car hits the black ice and crashes, hitting the side wall. She still started right up and drove us down not to far to safety at a chain instal shoulder. She took all the damage which cost her her life. This car saved my life and the lives of my friends.

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  Buyers Beware - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By cedmond - February 8 - 9:58 pm

  Special ordered my Equinox LTZ in late 2009 and took delivery February 2010. Car has been in the shop 19 times. Had to have speakers replaced, timing chain, cam shaft acturators, cam shaft connectors, and new computer. Has also been in the shop 5 times for heating and cooling issues. I still freeze in the winter with heat on 85 and car doesnt cool in the summer, even on 62 degrees. Dealer has tried to fix 5 times and it still is not fixed. Finally. trading car with only 40,000 miles and 3 years old. All the problems started @ 9000 miles and has been nothing but problems ever since. Called GM and they dont really care. My first and last Chevy!

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  I Hate this CAR, I hate it I hate it I hate it - - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By jumblejumlbe - February 8 - 8:08 pm

  This could be a reasonable car if you live in southern California and dont drive more than 20 miles a day. If that is not you, dont even think about buying this POS. It does not drive in the snow. When its cold and the heater turns on it has to run a second generator motor which sounds like someone started a lawn mower in your trunk. I drive a lot, more than 300 miles a day, and while it has a charge the power and handling isnt bad, but since I drive on the highway a lot the charge doesnt last very long. once it switches to gas only its performance is horrible.. if you leave it for a few days and the bluetooth is on itll drain your starting battery and youll need to call service

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  Excellent LTZ - 2012 Chevrolet Impala
  By kmw8770 - February 7 - 8:42 pm

  Own a 2012 Impala LTZ loaded with every option. Solid build structure, very roomy, many features and great value. The fact that the 2012s & 13s have GMs new direct injected V6 engine and a six-speed auto make them that much better then the 11s. 302hp and on a trip back from southern PA to upstate NY averaged 30 mpg! Love the Bluetooth for phone, Bose sound system, XM satellite radio, heated seats etc. Love the car and plan on keeping it for a while, or at least until I can afford a 2014+ Impala LTZ.

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  Love It! - 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
  By capeverde74 - February 6 - 12:12 pm

  I traded in my 2006 Jeep Laredo for a 2013 Malibu. I was skeptical in the beginning as Id never owned a Chevy and hadnt owned a sedan since my Honda Accord over 15 years ago. I was seeking something that was fuel efficient (better than my Jeep, which was horrible), that looked good, durable, and didnt hurt my pocketbook. As a teacher and single mom with two kids remaining in my budget is essential. This car does it for me. I love the look, the smooth ride, and my monthly payment. My kids love it as well! Even though Ive only had my new car for three days, I can already see that I will be saving on gas. Oh and love the automatic start button!

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  Lots of Problems - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By bdawg1210 - February 6 - 8:44 am

  My Chevy Cruze currently has 42,00 miles on it and it had been a painful 42,000 miles. I have to take my car in almost monthly to get serviced. Some of the problems I have encountered is the fan not working for the a/c and heating unit, water pump broken causing my car to leak anti-freeae making my car over heat, weird noise coming from front left tire that all the mechanics say is weird because they hear it but cant find the problem, the list goes on. I would not recommend buying any year, make, or model of the Chevy Cruze. I bought the car because I wanted to support a U.S. automaker because all the other cars I have previously purchased were foreign, but I will never buy a chevy agai