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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  Good? Bad? - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By GMJohn - November 3 - 12:55 am

  Bought this lease return (Carfax Info) vehicle used about 2 1/2 years ago. Has been good second vehicle until recently with failure of lower ball joints and discovery that the "noise" in the back I have heard for last 5-6 months is apparently the carrier bearings in the rear end which resulted in early failure of entire rear end (estimate of $1200 +/-). It may be time for a replacement vehicle especially since mileage has always been about 17mpg highway.

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  Dont buy it - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Ben Kitt - November 3 - 12:34 am

  I bought my truck new from Jerrys Chevy in Baltimore and the truck (with only 20,600 miles) has already had several issues that had to be fixed. While they are covered they are still problems that shouldnt be there! There is a loud whistling that is unfixable according to GM! DO NOT BUY THIS TRUCK. It is a trap. The one good thing is that it has good resale value and the 4x4 is awesome.

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  What A Dissappointment - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ferromaximus - November 2 - 8:57 pm

  Once again, my love for all things big and tough has fooled me again. Dont let this truck fool you. I got the zr2 package because I wanted the big, tough look of this truck. Ive had nothing but problems. Every time I take it in for an oil change, its costing me over $1000 to fix it. Its a 99 and I only have 55k miles on it, and it acts like theres 150k on it. New alternator, ball joints, bearings, rear brakes completely redone, front differential just went on it ($2500-$3000 new). Im ready to sign off trucks all together, but need them for the snow up here in NY. Interior rattles and shakes and is very cheaply put together. What an embaressment to GM. Do not buy this junker!

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  Best Car for the Money - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By taxman - November 2 - 10:44 am

  This is the best car I have owned. It is a 2002 Camaro SS convertible with the six speed transmission. It really flies when you hit the gas and when not hot rodding this car gets great gas mileage. I would recommend this car to anyone as far as performance, reliability, and looks.

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  Look and Drive of More Expensive Car - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Frank Provasek - November 2 - 9:52 am

  I bought this car new for $16,000. Everyone who I showed it to and let ride in it guessed $22,000 to $25,000. Average 24 MPG with 3.1 litre V-6.

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  SS - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By SS - November 2 - 9:40 am

  Traded a BMW 3 Series for the Impala. Best value for a sports sedan with plenty of legroom and trunk space.

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  HHR PRETTY HAPPY - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By SUNNY FLORIDA - November 1 - 2:53 pm

  6 months 8000 miles. Needed 2 trips to dealer to fix warped brake rotors and drums, broken rear hatch latch replaced. paid $19K for a leftovr 07, listed for $23K. The car delivers decent comfort & performance for price. It feels reliable, motor and trans. are okay. You will not feel or hear motor inside car, vibrates less then Japanese cars. Fuel economy is not up to par, I am averaging 17 MPG with mostly city driving. I use it for deliveries, hauling family stuff etc. Nice fold downs & roomy. Rattle free, I like the interior very much, simple, elegant nice fit finish. I am happy, although car is far from perfect, see suggested improvements below.

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  Theres Never Anything Wrong - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By PDQ - November 1 - 11:20 am

  This car has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. It is very fast, in fact, a little more power than the front drive system can keep a hold of. In the winter, I drive around the other fast cars stuck in the snow because of the front drive. Its a trade off that works. Big trunk, comfortable interior that is solid after 28,000 miles. Fuel mileage has been the only disappointment. Sticker suggested 18/28 I get 15.5/23.

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  2004 Malibu LS --WOW - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By PistolPeie - November 1 - 2:00 am

  WE live in Lake Havasu City Az where we purchased our 2004.During the month of Dec. we drove it back to Mass. for the holidays.WOW what a woderful drive. The car handles with great ease and responds to all weather conditions. Considering the length (3,000 Mi.)of the trip it was very comfortable.The gas milage was excellent 33 mpg.

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  Bills review - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By BillGrab - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy the truck qualitys and at the same time I feel comfortable like I was driving a great riding mid to large size car. Its a treat to own and drive.