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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  TRUE GRIT - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jim Merryweather - June 22 - 9:46 pm

  I picked up my car on 9/25/09 and all I can say is "WOW". Have 900 plus miles on her and have enjoyed every mile. Ordered with auto/rs package and she is a real beast. Im 62 and this car brought back the days of my 1967 GTO. Just happened by the dealership with a bunch of friends and saw the new 2010 camaro and couldnt sleep that night. Went back the next weekend and ordered her. Ive not looked back! This car is just a delight and draws attention from all age groups. Go get one and remember, youre not here for a long time - just a good time.

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  GM is getting close with the new Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Bob - June 22 - 12:40 pm

  I really like the new Tahoe. Unfortunately, it does have some problems. The doors all squeak a lot on anything but a really smooth road. Driver window also squeaks when lowered. Three trips to dealer have not fixed anything and driver window now hass alot of wind noise. Gas mileage was initially very poor but got better after engine was broken in and I reprogrammed engine chip.

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  Glad I Got Rid Of It!!!! - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By eri-bear - June 22 - 2:00 am

  I totally loved this car when I bought it new 4 years ago, soon after I began having more and more problems: the CD player broke, the dash creaked(had it replaced 2x, the last time it cracked in half), battery leaked acid all over engine(most of the repairs not covered under warranty), air conditioner makes terrible sounds when idling(dealer mech. said this car was cheap and bottom of line), horrible sounds coming from tires(dealer mech. couldnt hear it???), had to be towed to the dealership twice because it wouldnt start, the accessory fuse shorted after the first use(had the short fixed but it happened again), had fuel pump replaced...only has 22K miles.

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  Good Frosting, Bad Cake - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By AmDisappointed - June 22 - 2:00 am

  Way to many problems for a 4 yr old car. The brakes (rotors+pads), intake valve, alternator, starter, A/C switch, battery, and who knows what other surprises await. . . I regret that GM does not stand behind their cars like Honda - they know those rotors are trash, but tell you its your problem. And they wonder why they lose market share.

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  My Cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By JoeinSand - June 22 - 2:00 am

  So far my experiene is great. It may lack some features other cars have in that makeket, but I love the over all look of my Cavalier. I have the base model w/ the sport pakage. Its much better than my last Dodge Neon or Nissian Sentra.

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  NICE LOOKING - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By KIMOLAND - June 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car in 2003, started hearing the wind from the drivers side, took it to a dealer they said it was the door. They wouldnt fix it because we didnt buy it from there. over all, it is a nice car, we got a great deal on it. Gas milage is not as Vhevy claimed, only makes about 23-26 range not 34MPG. Low profile tires made it so attached to the ground and handles better. a little loud engine from inside, not as bad from the outside.

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  Enjoying my time with my 09 - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By greg graham - June 21 - 2:43 am

  Ive had my LTZ for 13 months and have been generally pleased. Mine is loaded with every option but the NAV. I have been pleased with the overall quality thus far with no issues to note. Im averaging 15.5 mpg which is great for this vehicle. I love the dash lay out with wood inserts. I do wish the Bose system was a center point system but as it is Im enjoying it. The 5.3 has good power. Ive added so much aftermarket to the truck to enhance my ride. 6 in running boards, mud guards,bug deflector, lift kit for the front (I hated the lower front end) now it looks level across the entire truck,rear wheel well liners, recon light bar for under tailgate, db exhaust system(cool)under seat storage etc.

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  RATTLES - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By gerald shokes - June 21 - 2:00 am

  VERY COMFORTABLE ON LONG TRIPS WITH LARGE LOAD CAPACITIES. ROAD MILAGE IS MUCH BETTER THAN THE EVERYDAY AROUND TOWN MILAGE. DRIVABILITY IS EXCELLENT. HANDLING IS EXCELLENT. POWER IS EXCELLENT. WORRY ABOUT THE TRANS. ,DUE TO MY SON HAS AREADY HAD TO REPLACE HIS 98 TAHOE TRANS. AT 50K MILES.ONLY USE MOBILE ONE OIL WITH NO LEAKS AND PRESENTLY HAVE 80K MILES ON MY SUBURBAN SINCE PURCHASED. DRIVES DOOR RATTLES GOING OVER BUMPS AT ANY SPEED, SUSPECT LOOSE AUTO WINDOW MECH.

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  Pleasure to drive - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Harlie - June 21 - 2:00 am

  This car glides over the highway and the pick up on it is quick from a stand still, you can really feel the power under the hood. The design is sleek with out over doing it, you will get many compliments on it every where you go.

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  Dont buy one! - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Ali00 - June 21 - 2:00 am

  I had the strut mounts replaced twice within 20,000 miles and now, at 35,000 they are squeaking again. Very soon after I purchased the car, the rattles and sqeaks started. The engine runs very loud (again, more rattles). I had to have part of the dash replaced, because that cracked fter approx 15k miles. The A/C fan makes a loud clicking noise for about the first 10 min. its on. I know, I did not purchase a Mercedes, but after 35k miles, I expected a ittle more. I will never purchase a Chevy car ever again.