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:

• 

  Its not a Corvette, but - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jim - February 4 - 2:23 pm

  Ive driven the SS for 4 months now and Im actually impressed. Being a Corvette owner as well, not many cars excite me. The Impala is actually not a total bore to drive. The shifts are crisp and at the right rpm. Actually encourages you to show some muscle to 80%+ cars on the road that this vehicle will blow away. When it comes to hauling children or family this is the car. Something you cannot do in a Corvette. The only thing that worries me a little bit is the active fuel management which shuts down to a 4cyl when all 8 arent needed. Cant get Cadillacs 8-6-4 out of my head

• 

  Amazing Car - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Jusamazed - February 3 - 9:10 am

  Bought it because its actually a Toyota Corolla, minimally re-skinned, but all Toyota mechanicals. I drove it until 2005, then gave it to my son, who still has it. Fluid changes, tires, one battery, one fairly recent set of rear brake pads, thats it, and its 10 year old this month, and still running like a top. Its still on its first muffler, for goodness sakes.

• 

  Understand WMS limitations - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By cag123 - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Should have read ALL reviews before buying. Water Management System does not meet my needs for dry cargo space. Tried to salvage vehicle investment with Snugtop/GM XUV cap. X = eXpensive, but would be worth it if it kept water out. It doesnt. Snugtop sales said "Of course its watertight"; now service says "weather resistant not waterproof"; no other response to dealer request for help. Have owned truck 33 days (25 with rain), 500 miles. Am trading it in tomorrow. Performance item: auto. transmission slow to downshift (book says to floor it!), but may be normal; have had manual transmissions for 35 years.

• 

  love my LTZ - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By love my LTZ - February 2 - 10:00 am

  This was the best 36000 I ever spent. COmpared to the price and comfort of the Mercedes ML 320 that I looked at before buying this, the Trail BLazer blows it away. It rides like a car and has many features for a family, (dual radio and climate controls). The only problems encountered were with the electronics. The seat would not move into position sometimes when ignition was started, and side veiw mirrors seem to have a mind of their own and not stay in set place.

• 

  Will Be Sorely Missed - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Liz - February 1 - 5:34 pm

  My dad bought this car for me in high school and I have had the best times in it. It has an awesome V6 engine that beats all the little Ford Escorts on the freeway. Not very pretty to look at, especially the front, but it has a nice red color that looks great in the sunlight. The only problem Id say is the rear right brake, which tends to rub against the wheel on long long road trips and cause a stink. The brakes arent as reactive as many cars, but they do work fine. The interior is hideous (the ceiling is falling in and there are many stains on the back floor), but the upside to the interior is that it is very roomy so if youre transporting tall people they can stretch out their legs.

• 

  Chevy = Hype - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Cameron - January 31 - 3:19 pm

  I have always driven Fords with very little trouble. Everyone suggested I "upgrade" to Chevrolet. After owning one I can say it will be my last. I replaced the fuel pump at 70K. At 80K the speedometer cluster quit working (very common on this vehicle). Also at 80K the transfer case went out. Should I mention the electrical problems? Power doors work intermittently, windows sometimes dont roll down. When it runs, I like it. But, it spends just as much time in the shop and for a 43K vehicle, its not worth the trouble. Im going to get rid of it and get a reliable SUV. Im convinced that Chevy is simply hype. I havent exactly been blown off of my feet.

• 

  Great Car! - 1996 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Jardaz - January 31 - 8:29 am

  Awesome car. I have had mine for 3 years. I havent had any huge problems just the basic maintenance. The car has gone from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia to the outskirts of NYC more times than I can remember. Gas mileage is good and a very dependable car. I wish Chevy still made them. If you come across one and youre looking for a used car, consider it. Its the best car I have ever owned

• 

  148,000 and still rolling - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By JRB - January 30 - 8:30 am

  Bought my 1998 Chevy Prism in fall 99 and it is still rolling after all these miles and 10 plus years. I have taken care of it and it still runs great. I have done regular work on it, and every vehicle needs this. Battery, starter, alternator, tires, brakes, oil changes, etc. I have heard these things will push 200k and still roll on. We will see and I will run this until it dies.

• 

  Woodworking Vehicle Needed - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bob - January 29 - 6:26 pm

  So far the truck has been very enjoyable and has done what was asked of it, hauling, towing, trips, carrying passengers. I do hope that a true hybrid is in the works as Ill keep this one until a higher mileage big truck is available.

• 

  2008 Malibu Transmision problem - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Tayle - January 28 - 7:32 pm

  When car reached around ten thousand miles it developed a problem with the transmission.When you try to maintain speed from forty miles per hour or higher the torque converter feels like it is engaging and disengaging from drive to overdrive continuously.The tach jumps about three or four hundred rpm up and down.You take your foot off the gas pedal for a second and then resume maintaning your speed and the problem goes away for a few miles if your lucky.The service manager at the dealership we bought the car from says this is normal.I dont know how anybody can say that is normal.Dont get me wrong my wife and I like the car except for the transmission issue.