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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  Time to go! - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By aimeagle21 - October 29 - 7:14 am

  I have only owned my Astro for about a year now but for the most part it has been very reliable. I bought it used and had to put a new rear end in and now the fuel pump went out. As you may or may not know Chevy has internal fuel pumps that are a complete pain to replace. The only other issue turned out to be that the transfer case fluid needed to be replaced (I thought it was going to be much worse because the front end was binding up in turns). Anyway, these are the only issues I have had and I love the van but I am selling to buy my son (turning 16 soon) a more age appropriate car. I think the van is cool but I am old I guess!

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  My Z66-No Problems/No issues - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By David - October 29 - 4:47 am

  This vehicle was/is a Godsend. We purchased it as a promotion present for me when I became a police lieutenant. Little did we know that we would end up living in it when I became disabled in 2004. We have towed a 28 ft travel trailer from New Mexico to Florida then to Oregon then back to Florida and finally settled down in Oregon. It currently has 128322 miles, most of those occurred by 2006,(2 years). It has not spent one day in the shop due to a breakdown or malfunction. A few things had to be addressed during maintenance (like minor recalls) but so far we have been and are thrilled with it.

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  Fun Car - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Glen - October 28 - 9:06 pm

  Bought an 08 Impala SS a few weeks ago, really enjoying it. Nice big car, comfortable ride, lots of power, I think it looks great. Quibble are lousy interior lighting (almost impossible to read a map in the front seat at night with the small lights in the rear view mirror), and odd cup holders seats a bit flat. Easier to get into than my 06 Grand Prix GT, and easier on fuel too. Its your grandads Impala until you stuff your foot into it.

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  After 4 months - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By ksscooter - October 27 - 8:02 pm

  This car has been a pleasant surprise so far. It is much quieter than the Acura RSX that I replaced after the Acura had multiple trans problems and the warranty was over. Honda lost me on that car. The Chevy gets great gas mileage, etc. It is hard sometimes to see out of so I have to be sure, the power window switches are placed out of reach, but no car is perfect. My black lab is in heaven with her head hanging out the right rear window. The stereo is A-OK. Mine is a stick shift because I am a stick shift guy and I am happy with the performance of the trans. The car is quiet, rattle free, compact, good mileage, stylish, and my dog loves it. Id buy a another one in a heart beat.

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  On the Fence - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By klutz27 - October 26 - 10:25 pm

  There are things I love about my car, like the get up and go on the highway others I hate. I have the Opal blue, and with the coolant issue, FL sunshine and bug issues, the paint on my hood is toast (talked to others with GM color whove had same issue) Like others Ive had the coolant leak,but no brake problems, Im on the 3rd A/C switch since I bought with 8000 miles on it. (program car)had the tensioner problem and gasket issue and the ABS light issue. I have a leak somewhere in the windshield fluid reservoir no one can find (& labor to pull it is way too much now.) CDs get condensation with the A/C on hi (Im in FL) and now will not work at all. Was great as 1st car, but ready for new

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  They finally got it right. - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Ron - October 26 - 1:22 pm

  Purchased a 2005 auto Vette 11/05 and had nothing but trouble with it, mostly electronics. I took a chance and purchased a 2008 12/15/07 with six speed and very little in options. What a car. The ride is better, my wife hated the ride in the 2005, and it is a joy to drive. The color is Crystal Red and is an attraction where ever we ago. Gas mileage is around 25 mpg. The six speed has enhanced the overall enjoyment even when in traffic, which is common in the DFW area freeways. My next Vette will be the ZR1- I hope.

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  Great Deal on a Great Van - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Scott - October 25 - 9:03 pm

  We purchased this van after finally deciding a minivan was for us. We test drove them all and knew this was the right one for the pricing and options. We took it for its maiden voyage of 1000 miles of mountains and rain with no problems averaging 22 MPG. Its plenty powerful, handles well, looks nice, and is full of enough features to keep everyone happy. We test drove 3 Uplanders and one Terazza and all had a strange low speed clunking sound from the front end. Hope this is not a failure waiting to happen. Also, there are some minor rattles here and there but nothing overwhelming. Our key remote is slow to lock and unlock the door but hope its just the battery. Great experience and hope for more

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  Big Red Z-71 - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By djames - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Feels like Im driving a Caddy without the 50k price tag

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  2002 Avalanche 8.1 2500 - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Gary Pfahler - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Have had the 8.1 2500 Avalanche since Sept. Nicest truck I have owned.

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  Leaking - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By sportsfan - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I love my Avalanche, and all the attention I get when Im driving. But Im confronting the dealership about a problem that just started happening. After one of our big Mississippi rain storms, the items stored in the back were soaking wet. Has anyone else encountered leakage?