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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  Finally ... An SUV I Can Enjoy - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By pchamp - January 13 - 8:08 pm

  I have never owned a vehicle this large before, but it doesnt drive like a big truck. I find myself actually enjoying road trips with my family of 7.

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  If not fun, then at least reliable - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Gary - January 13 - 7:53 pm

  I bought the car slightly used, a program car. The LS was the mid level car in 2005, and mine is loaded, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction control, etc. It goes down the road comfortably and quietly, and is a very nice ride. I like most everything on the car, with the exception of the electic power steering. This is a car that I can be comfortable in, even with the sunroof. I owned a 1998 Malibu earlier, and had nothing but problems with it. This redesigned Malibu, Im hoping, will cure that bad taste left by my previous car. I think Im going to enjoy my new Malibu. It appears to be well crafted, well put together, if not spectacular. It is a good, midsized, American car.

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  Gas Mileage Superhero - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Ron Potter - January 13 - 6:17 pm

  From day one I averaged 50MPG or better. Driving is mixed city and highway, usually with no other passengers. On a trip from Ohio to Florida with two passengers plus driver and luggage, running between 75-80 interstate with air on we still averaged 49 MPG. I have saved enough on fuel expense over my Ford Crewcab Gas to pay for the car. I have always driven either Mercedes or BMWs for daily use and this was my first new American car in 15 years....wished I had tried them before.

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  I SIMPLY LOVE IT! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Gord T - January 13 - 4:46 pm

  This vehicle has everything I want in a car! Several people have commented on its looks and functionality. Fun to drive and rides beautifully on the highway. GM has produced a winner here. If they turn out a few more cars of this quality they should have no trouble surviving their tough times.

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  One of the few - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Bert - January 13 - 2:11 pm

  By far this is one of the few midsize SUVs that actually comes close to what it is supposed to do. The interior is actually roomy, I am 62" and I fit more comfortable in this truck than in my Silverado. I do have only one complaint, it is the weather strip for the rear passenger door that just wont stay in place. The sound system is actually pretty decent. The combination of colors for the interior are awesome. I have had my good share of vehicles, I am very satisfied with this particular one.

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  I love it - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Joe Pariso - January 13 - 1:24 pm

  Gets 22.5 on the hiway in 2wd. Did not use 4wd yet, You ride in comfort and security with the OnStar and a 6 cyl eng that you dont hear it run. Very solid and I love to drive it.

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  My 2007 Cobalt SS/SC - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Henry_the_Red - January 13 - 12:16 pm

  Well first things first, I love my Cobalt SS. The power is there when you need it, design and interior layout fit the car nicely. Only downfall I dislike about this car is the spoiler, which is going to be removed when I have some extra cash. Also I had a porous head which had to be replaced by the dealership, but other than that the car runs and performs great. Good buy in my opinion and not too bad for gas mileage, currently getting 29.4 mpg when I dont get on the gas.

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  Mechanical Integrity /Reliability POOR - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Dale - January 13 - 11:42 am

  Now I know why GM is about to go bankrupt. This is the second Z71 Suburban that I have owned since 2002 and have had nothing but problems with both. This will be last one that I will buy.

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  Extremely Dissatisfied - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Michelle - January 13 - 11:37 am

  I have had this vehicle less than 8 months. It has been in the shop 6 six times for different items. The transmission went out, the day of delivery the dealership backed it into a pole and it had to have a new backend, the tint has fallen off, the air conditioning vent has falled out of the dash board, the horn would not work properly as well as the two recall notices that have come out on this vehicle. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Unfortunate Lemon - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By One Good Granny - January 13 - 11:26 am

  Have owned this car 3 months and front end pulls upon driving and increases pull during braking. Mechanics adjusted sub frame, replaced one wheel (manufactures defect), alignment performed. It still pulls yet now in the opposite direction! Too unsteady for a brand new vehicle. I paid $16,400 for this vehicle. Was told sub frame misalignment normal as shipped from Korea and rough seas can pull on frame tie downs.