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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  Awesome car! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Darkonyx - February 8 - 8:20 am

  I have had this car for a while now, and have driven it quite a bit. I would commute 200 miles a day in it and no problems at all. Good gas mileage for what the car offers and plenty of pep in its step. The shift broke about 12k miles into it, dealer fixed under warranty no problem. Fun to drive and plenty of room. Back seat int he coupe is a little small for an adult but plenty for children. I even had a car back into at about 15mph and all it did was scratch my paint on the front bumper! I love this car, and you cant beat the quality for the price!

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  Problems with owning an 06 Z06 Corvette - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By alenatasevich1 - February 7 - 10:33 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with this car. Starter needs replacing. I had on road assistance called twice because the car didnt start. 2 & 1/2 months of owning this car and Im informed that the "engine is cracked". I speak with mechanics & the dealership and Im informed that this happened on installation at the factory as there was overtorquing that cracked the lower engine block. I was shown the problem visually. Its as clear as day which is another testimony to GMs & Chevrolets quality control which is anything but. Nevertheless, they refuse to replace the car although its obvious that the car was delivered defective. GM is willing to replace the engine.

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  Scared SS Owner - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Scared Chevy Owner - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I loved the car when I drove it, but during the first month the HVAC head had to be replced for a light bulb out, the radio had to be replaced because it would not connect to the message center and the car alarm goes off if the trunk is opened with the key. Sometimes the doors lock automatically, sometimes they dont. All this at 32,000 miles. Whats next?

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  Great car love the smooth ride - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Richard Cerkleski - February 7 - 7:44 am

  Had this car for 8 yrs not a bit of trouble only 37000 mi but still runs like new

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  Very happy - 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Performance - February 7 - 2:04 am

  We have been a Ford family for years.Based on friends reviews & comments bought an 06 LT loaded. This auto makes the Explorer seem as if is still in the Ice Age. We couldnt be happier. Wife is main driver & was concerned about size but one day later said her fears were gone & she loves it!! We had an 04 explorer that I hated to drive as it was so uncomfortable & noisy & slow & crappy gas mileage(10-12 in town) with V6, and had only 7K on odometer!This veh has great 5.3 V8, quiet ride, comfort, easy handling, and wife wont let me drive it hardly at all.I should say I have an 04 Cady DeVille, and yet would just as soon drive the Tahoe as my car. I think that says it all.

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  Chevy - 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Joel - February 7 - 12:59 am

  Its not fast but gas mileage is probably even better than it should be. Bought car private party from original owner. 36k original miles! A lot of plastic in the interior but its not supposed to be a luxury car. This Chevy handles well and I would recommend it for anyone with a piggybank and a drivers license.

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  Great Sportster - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By Dennis - February 6 - 10:43 pm

  I got mine in silver with all options. Has been simply great--the towing is great for a tandem waverunner combo. Wish it were quicker off the line. The weight plays a part--more power always a plus. Cant see what else would give me as much fun towing two waverunners down a two-lane road on the way to a lake!

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  Im lovin it and thats not a McDonalds - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Mark - February 6 - 10:12 pm

  Well my eperience with trucks are are not old enough but I love this vehicle,spent little extra on interior and eterior equipment but dont regret single buck. Finally I have car I can go easy fishing or hunting without any doubts like "Am I gonna get there without ripping all my brake hoses and wires under the car?".This time I would say GO FOR IT! and still when I get back give a little bubble bath put a nice suit on and take my wife to dinner in nice restaurant. This car has its class, runs great. Handling is good very responsive to driver no matter who that is. Lots of power and still looks great on the road. Have proof, everyones turning heads towards me.

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  Surprise! Great gas mileage - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By KimWithTwins - February 6 - 7:08 pm

  Everyone I talk to groans when they think of a Suburban and the gas it must use. Well, I want to set the record straight that I get 17-20 mpg, and most of the time 18mpg. Im an at- home Mom, and my driving is a combo of freeway and side streets. Its been super reliable, and my dealer threw in free oil changes for life, which I love.

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  Id buy another - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Chris - February 6 - 3:42 pm

  The only problems with the 01 LS were related to a set of bad tires. She runs nicely, adequate power even as she approaches 100K miles. Lots of room on the interior and big trunk make it a nice family vehicle. If I were going to buy another American car, I would definitely go with another Impala.