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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  Love Hate Relationship - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Shalom - February 13 - 6:27 pm

  Its a beautiful car but within the 2 years weve had this, we have had to take it in to the dealership 10+ times for various issues (key fob, 4wd going out, 7th cylinder went out, etc). Each time one thing is fixed, something else goes out and were left with no car. We bought it brand new no less. I have read more good than bad reviews, so I think we just bought a Monday/Friday car. If it werent for the issues that keep cropping up, I adore this car. Its gorgeous, cushy, and compared to the Ford SUVs that cost 5k more, you get tons more features. Hopefully GM can figure out how to avoid these problems with current/future Suburbans.

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  A few flaws, but great overall - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Slowpoke - February 13 - 2:00 am

  The Trailblazer has plenty of power on hand, a surprisingly small turning radius, and great gas mileage for a vehicle as heavy as this and with this much horsepower (average 16 city, 21 hwy). Ive had two problems with it though: 1) the gauges have quit working twice (after the vehicle rests for about an hour, the gauges will begin to work again), 2) the air conditioning quit working once (again, after the vehicle rested for about an hour, the AC started to work again). Also, Ive noticed some vibration-noises in the rear suspension. Besides those issues, Ive thoroughly enjoyed this vehicle, especially on long road trips.

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  A rare HHR, loaded with a manual! - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By Chris - February 12 - 11:54 pm

  After a year of ownership - my complaints are few. I had a convertible before - but needed a practical car. The HHR fits the bill to a tee! It consistently gets mileage in the 30s, with the 2.4 liter and the 5 speed manual, the car is quite responsive. I wish the car had traction control (since corrected), I hate the cup holders and the window switch location (also since fixed) All in all - this car is for an active person who doesnt want their car to look like everything else on the road.

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  Impala vs Honda & Toyota? No comparison. - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ron Tranmer - February 10 - 10:35 pm

  Ive read complaints about the poor vision in the rear view mirrors. On every car I own I buy the little round blind spo" mirrors at Walmart for about 2 bucks each, and put them on the outside corner of each mirror. I then have excellent side mirror vision. Another complaint Ive read is about poor visibility through the rear window. Especially with a spoiler. Cmon... I can see everything I need to see through my rear window. (I have a spioler) I havent had the car too long but I love it. Read the consumer reviews on the higher rated Honda Accord and Toyota Camery, and youll find a much higher percent of complaints than that of Impala owners. Go figure...

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  Good utilitarian car - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By Dennis Durfee - February 10 - 9:32 pm

  This is our second one. Wife rolled the 1st down the side of the mountain and all three ladies crawled out the window uninjured. It handled great until she hit the unexpected snow storm. She loved the car, purchases for $10K with 33K miles in 06. The 2nd one was $8K with 44K miles. We did not like it as well until we had the front brakes, pad and rotors, replaced for $450. We like it now. It is economical, reliable, and comfortable a great middle-aged womans car. Id buy another one if she wrecked this one, too.

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  Good looking and efficent - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Mike - February 10 - 12:28 pm

  Recently purchased a 2006 HHR 2LT model. On a ski weekend in Michigan, it handled snow fine, and our skis fit inside. I like the styling, nice ride, quality seems pretty good at this stage. People who complain about the performance and handling have the wrong perspective. I bought this car as an affordable daily driver and hauler, with fuel economy as a priority. Highway mileage is in the low 30s at 70 MPH, and the power and handling is what I would expect. I also have a Porsche Boxster S, so I recognize how high performance cars should drive. I just have no illusions that the HHR is one, it is not. For barely over $10k loaded, it is a great value, and a very suitable daily driver.

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  Best truck ever - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By Terry - February 10 - 12:09 pm

  We bought this truck new. Very few problems never has left me stranded. I have beaten this truck mercilessly, hauled more then I should and pulled way too much. Its been a rock. Never leaves me stranded. Its all original and is my daily driver today. I will never buy another daily driver and it will not be given to anyone else. I will probably be buried in it when I die. 221,000 miles, no engine work, one clutch and oil changes. Thats it. I have had several s10s because of this one. Met my girlfriend in it, married her with it and will die with both of them.

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  1st 165k were troublefree - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Eric - February 9 - 7:36 pm

  Bought new as a company car, drove the 1st 165k no trouble except for 1 check engine for bad gas. Bought the car from my employer at ~80k still driving it daily at 248k. It does eat front rotors you get one turn, then replace em. Im on the 3rd set on front. Most of what has gone wrong was mostly due to my failure to do maintenance, and due to operator abuse like overcranking the steering wheel or driving over a cinder brick on the interstate while clipping along at 80 mph (Yeah, I did that not recommended). Problems coming fast now at 248k, but Im not amazed. Time to get another Impala. Advice - Change transaxle fluid every 30,000 miles if you want max life on the trans

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  Im back after 23 years - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Joe Rand - February 9 - 5:56 pm

  This is the first Chevy I bought since my 1982 Z28. The fact that its been that long tells you what I thought about Chevys "quality." Over the last 3 months Ive looked at the Mazda3, Audi A4, Subaru Outback, Baja, and Impreza, Mitsubishi Outlander, PT Cruiser, and the Saab 92x. All nice vehicles in their own right, but with all the rebates thrown at you it makes the Maxx the best value. I like the versatility. Most of the time Im the only one in the car, but at times I need to haul 4 more around. This car does that comfortably, plus I can get my bike in the back. The bells and whistles for the money are great. The back seat room was a big factor, and there is a ton of it.

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  OMallys run - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By john - February 9 - 4:20 pm

  I purchased this Malibu with 51000 miles on her and she has been a great car! I have replaced brakes several times ,come to find out this was a factory issue in these cars.Overall this has been the most reliable car I have ever owned! She now has 151000 miles and is still running strong!I would buy another one if I could find one with the same 2.4 4cyl engine! I get 30 mpg on highway and 25 in city, although she is not the sportiest car she is good in the snow and has plenty of room for my family! I am 61 and my son is 60 and he can sit behind me with ample leg room!