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:

• 

  Work Horse with Reliability - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Ryan - January 6 - 12:16 pm

  I bought the truck new in 1999 and still own it today. It is a nice rough truck with a lot of comfort and space on the interior. I have experienced a few problems. These problems include the door locks sticking or just not working, the door handles breaking, steering shaft, and other problems that are normal for a ten year old car. Because the car is so heavy you burn through breaks and tires but besides that I have no major complaints other than the design of the door locks and handles. It makes road trips a breeze and can haul a ton.

• 

  no problems here - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By no problems here - January 5 - 10:56 pm

  I bought this car with 50k miles and have had no problems. I drive roughly 50 miles round trip daily and most of this is on country roads and I still average around 22mpg! My only problem with this car is wind noise. I had a new camry and got rid of it. I like the quality of my impala a lot better.

• 

  Lots of electrical problems - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Tony - January 4 - 11:15 am

  Purchased this vehicle (LT3) used off lease with 40K miles and have had nothing but problems. Blower motor went bad, sensor for exit cab lights went bad, Back-up sensor error all within 6 months. Love the looks, drivability and handling, but Chevrolet really needs to focus of quality. Stopped buying Fords for similar issues in late 90s and about to do the same with Chevrolet!

• 

  Almost Perfect - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By kmaro - January 3 - 10:43 pm

  For the most part I am enjoying my V8 SS but there are some design flaws, great handling on turns and stops well, looks fabulous

• 

  dont buy chev colorado - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By sweet98092 - January 3 - 8:55 pm

  I have a 2004 chev colorado 3.5 L 4x4 crew cab z-71. Dont buy this truck they are junk. I have replaced the tranny at 86,000 miles. The electric driver window and heater fan control dont work. Engine has a low noise knock, and for some reason I have to replace the battery every 6 - 8 months. Fake leather on passenger seat is coming apart

• 

  Good for the money, cheap transportation - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Brandon - January 3 - 12:22 am

  I bought this car at 17 for $1700, and I have to say, its held up decently. It had been sitting for four years in a garage mostly, so I had to replace the coils, plugs, and flush the fuel system, but afterwards it ran pretty well. The 3.1 has decent torque (gets real slow past 45-50 MPH), the MPG is decent for as big a car as it is (Im guessing 25 average, 27 absolute tops), and Ive yet to do any big replacements (AKA Mechanic). Note, it has one cup holder, and its crap. An Arizona can snapped right through it one day. If it werent for the poor exterior condition mines in (I got hit a couple times, no payout), I could be convinced to like it. Beware, handles American (AKA terribly)

• 

  100K and still going - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Peter T - January 2 - 10:50 pm

  Just passed 100K in Dec. 09. Had a bad ABS sensor this last year and the goofy cup holder under the stereo console has been broken almost since the initial warranty ended. Sometimes you have to touch the starter several times to start it but my wife and I have heard the same sound as others attempted to start their GM cars when we walked by. For a low end auto we have been absolutely pleased. This was our first new car in 15 years of marriage and as we traveled from SC to FL to IL to AZ to CA we have been very glad the majority of problems have been as expected ( brakes, tires, etc. ).

• 

  Good - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By smp429 - January 2 - 8:43 pm

  I purchased an 08 cobalt in 2009 with approximately 29000 miles. I do about 90% highway driving and get between 31.5 and 32.5 mile to the gallon which is so much better than my jeep. The car is fun to drive and overall has been great to own. The only draw back is that one of the hubcaps fell off after one month.

• 

  Cute, but glad I got the warranty - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By TheGirlWithTheMalibu - January 2 - 8:17 pm

  I researched for about two months before purchasing my 2004 Chevy Malibu. I found the Malibu to be the best fit for me, a traveling college bound student. The car its self handles very well and I always have fun driving it. The fuel economy isnt the greatest, at 23 mpg, but not worth complaining about. Shortly after I bought it, I realized the windshield wiper fluid didnt work when the button was pushed and the seat didnt work. Im having issues with it starting slowly. Although Im not sure if this is do to the car, or the Cleveland cold weather. My sister got stuck in the passenger side because the door wouldnt open from the inside. Great car, but Im glad I got the warranty.

• 

  Practical suburban vehicle - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By almontgp - January 2 - 5:18 pm

  This has been one of the best choices made for my transportation needs. Actually, I purchased this with my wifes impending need to upgrade her Prism (8 yrs old). We make daily trips of 40 miles, often hauling miscellaneous things such as feed bags, plantings and assorted small gardening equipment. The route is on both paved and unpaved roads. This car (?) is a perfect fit of utility and grace. The litmus test: my wife now drives this 100%! ) That outcome means we will purchase another - literally - because as expected, the Prism has seen the end of trails.