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 Car - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ajscott - October 14 - 8:38 pm

  I bought this car with about 110K on it. Ive had this car for about 3 years now and it has over 130K on it. So far really nothing has gone wrong with it just needed to fix the gas cap once which was no more than a hundred bucks and the brake pads twice so far. But overall no engine problems. The car drives smoothly but a bit heavy (which I prefer). As long as you get it in for your yearly service nothing should go wrong. Its a great car and will get the job done. Just a little bit of rusting on the body but overall engine sounds great and never anything major. GREAT CAR!!!

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  Misled by GM - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By musiclover1212 - October 13 - 4:50 pm

  I was very excited about my cruze when I first got it, I was deciding between the Altima, Elantra and the Cruze and decided on the Cruze because of the entertainment package and fuel economy. I am meticulous on tracking my mileage and checking it against the computer, and found over a 10 percent difference, for example my last fill up the pump said 12.8 Gallons and my computer said i only used 11.4 Gallons. So when my computer says I averaged 27 MPG, I actually got closer to 24. I also have had a frustrating experience with my Zune not playing when I want it to, and coming on unexpectedly while I am listening to a cd or the radio. I wish I would have gotten the Altima, or Elantra

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  My Equinox - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By rockthehouse - October 13 - 10:52 am

  I own a 2011 Equinox bought it one year ago. Have had no problems. I bought the 3.0L v-6 because of reviews I read about the v-4. The car has great pick up and smooth ride. The seats took alittle adjusting to get them comfortable. My husband complains about them. The other con is the venting system is strange where the vents are. They are blowing at my arm while Im driving or at my face. Youd think after all these years they would get that right. I liked my Trailblazer better where the vents are. The Equinox feels like a luxury car and the trailblazer felt like a truck. Which wasnt bad just different.

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  Overall...A Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By normh83 - October 13 - 3:25 am

  I have the LS model and even with some frustrations.....overall it has been a very good car. Like many other Impala owners, Ive experienced several common issues. Those are: catalytic converters wearing out, brakes, computers. For cars made during these year models, GM still had not perfected their hubless brake rotors meaning....they dont dissipate heat well and tend to warp causing premature wear, shimmying on the steering wheel, etc. Try installing high quality performance brake parts. I spent $250 on 2 new slotted & drilled front brake rotors plus high quality metallic pads. I quit having brake problems.

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  Reliable, excellent gas milage! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By travelsalot - October 12 - 9:38 am

  I bought my car in 2004 with 24k miles for about $8500. When purchased, my car would get 30-32 miles per gallon highway and 28-30 mpg town. I have had my car for 7 years and now have 165k miles racked up. On average, I get 29.5-31 mpg highway and 28 mpg town. Over the years I have replaced a few things: Carpet (warranty) Ignition switch x3 (warranty) Fuel pump x1 (around 90k miles) Brakes x2 (one set front and back with rotors- have lifetime warranty on parts) Tires (set of 4) x2 Fan motor (very inexpensive through private mechanic) and belt x1 0verall, very few inexpensive mechanic bills. I am starting to burn oil, but the car exhaust does not stink.

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  2012 Volt Experience - 2012 Chevrolet Volt
  By newvoltowner - October 11 - 11:36 pm

  Ive had my Volt for a week and a half and I am very happy with it. I want to share as much as I can for those on the fence about it, I sure spent a lot of time thinking about it and weighing the options before I made this move. I was also considering the leaf, but I went with the volt because of the extended range with the gas engine. I was I was sure happy that I did when I was driving to my parents house this weekend (47 miles away) and the gas engine kicked in. It takes about 8 hours to charge on 120v. So I can drive during the day, come home and charge. I do plan to get a 240volt charger but I would say it is not a requirement. Check www.spx.com/volt for free chargers.

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  Indestructible - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By carmaster2000 - October 11 - 11:30 am

  I bought this car 3 years ago with 117,000 miles on it for $2000 which was a great deal. Now I have 192,000 miles on it and it is still running well. It has been through 3 hellish Wisconsin winters and has always performed well in the snow without traction control. The interior is roomy and comfortable, and it rides smoothly with decent acceleration. On this old car, with 25k miles a year, the only problems I have ever had are: -The blower motor took a crap and had to be replaced. 80 bucks no big deal. -It has the infamous rusty spot below the gas cap. -Had to replace faulty O2 sensor. Really this car has been through so much, long trips, extreme heat/cold, it has been very good to me

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  Built for safety! - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By keripatterson - October 10 - 7:36 pm

  We were involved in an accident. The other car was totaled and very little damage to my right front bumper area. My vehicle drives like a dream, performs fantastically, and is built like a tank for safety. The front end folded like it should have for optimal protection and safety. I love this car and it is so worth the money we paid for it.

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  Best Chevy I have drove yet! - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By usspecialist - October 9 - 3:31 pm

  The window tag stated 38 mpg, I have been geting around 42. What a money saver! Also, the design and comfort are amazing. The seats hug you my wife says.

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  Not as good as everyone says it is...Lacks Reliability - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By faith7430 - October 8 - 4:03 pm

  I have less than 5000 miles in less than 3 months and the car has been into the shop at least 10 times already. The actuator motor was replaced in under 1000 miles, the entire computer went out in less than 2000 miles, which left me stranded in the middle of the night away from home, and there has continued to be one thing after another going wrong with this vehicle. Too bad GM wont stand behind their vehicles cause all I have gotten from them is the run around and a "maintenance package". I just want a reliable vehicle and I didnt think that was too much to ask for when I purchased it.