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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  Great Value - 2014 Chevrolet Impala Limited
  By Lowry Croxdale - October 12 - 2:47 am

  This is my 3rd Impala. So, yes Im slightly biased. After owning 2 Acuras and 3 Hondas (yes I drive many miles each year) the Chevys have all been as good or better during long-term ownership. This is my 2nd Impala of this generation (2000-2013). The 1st was a 2007 LT with the 3.9L V6 engine and leather. Only options omitted on that model were the 18" wheels, sunroof and Nav. It has 160K miles on it and has only had regular maintenance performed on it. Still gets 27MPG on the highway with a load. Handed it down to my daughter when I bought my latest model - 2014 Impala LTZ Limited. It also has leather but includes sunroof and the 18" wheels. It has the 3.6L V6 under the hood. The 3.9L only had 230 HP while this latest model has 300 HP. Yes, for a 4 door sedan its really quick. But it still gets 26 - 28 MPG on the highway depending on the load and travel conditions. Not bad. Its very comfortable on long hauls, has a trunk you could hide a baby elephant in and looks pretty sharp. Considering I was able to purchase it for almost $1 a mile used (16,905 miles and price of $17,606) it was a STEAL. The newer Impalas look great, but with many of these "fleet" cars still available with low miles and low prices, save some money and grab one while you can. Might not be the fanciest or prettiest or fastest, but it wont leave you stranded and will be a solid value for quite some time. And the Bose stereo is pretty darn good as well. Nice place to spend a few hours on the road. Bonus - low insurance costs. Change the oil as recommended, keep good tires and brakes on it and itll last you. Update 3 months later - car is running great!

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  Maxx LT is awesome - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By cronin722 - October 11 - 10:00 am

  A very fun and fast car. The console makes the front tight but the leg room is great in the front and back.

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  From Explorer to HHR - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Landis - October 11 - 12:07 am

  I wanted to trade in my Explorer Limited to save on gas and to do that was tough because I loved that truck. I tested the Equinox (didnt like gas mileage)for the heck of it look at the HHR and I have never looked back. This car has lots of room to carry stuff and the gas mileage is the best Ive ever had in the 30 years Ive been driving cars. The only thing I disliked on this car is the window controls but thats been changed for the 09 model I think.

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  Sporty and fun, but beware... - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Renea - October 10 - 11:31 am

  I have a base model. I was very pleased with my "new" car for the first 3 weeks. My first trip my car "clunked out" and was out of service for almost 3 months. The parts were hard to find and it turns out that the Cerpintine belt went out and everything else followed. Come to find out, when you get a new belt on these cars they need to be checked and tightened every 5000 miles. I wish I would have known that before hand. Keep tight wraps on the maintenance and this car serves well. Also, since the work on my car, I can not get the radio to work, and buying a used car, it didnt have the "access code" for the radio. When I call around to get it, they say itll cost about $100.

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  I Love My Car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jana - October 10 - 8:53 am

  These cars are only a 4cyl.but they can get up and go. I bought my Cobalt and within a week I found myself putting extra mileage on it. I enjoy driving this car, and my childern love it too. They kind of look sporty, but they also have enough room for a family of five. The trunks are huge too.

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  So-So Feelings - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Doug - October 9 - 9:05 am

  I have an 07 SS Coupe. I drive a lot. My gas mileage has been less then desirable with getting at the most 27mpg highway. I have 42k on it now and at 40,500 I had to have my transmission replaced. Thank goodness for extended warranties or it would have cost a fortune. Styling is great. I get a lot of looks from people because the car looks hot in black. Tires are expensive to replace and the SS is so low to the ground it doesnt clear most speed bumps without scraping. Unless you get a great deal on this car, I would think twice.

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  2010 tahoe hybrid - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By Tom - October 8 - 5:33 am

  i trade a H2 Hummer in for the tahoe, it great on mileage u get what the say. The oem tires are terrible they slide on dry payment, and even worse in the rain, i havent even drove in the snow yet, so i went out that week and replace them with a goodyear fortera big difference. The brakes have a litte to be desired. The thing i hate the most is no spare tire or jack, carzy

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  Very Disappointed in the Fuel Mileage - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Joyce - October 7 - 6:00 pm

  I have owned 3 Suburbans and still have two of them. The choice to go to a car for fuel mileage brought me to the Impala. It was still a good sized car that was suppose to get 27 mpg and had pretty good safety rating. The mileage has been a huge disappointment. I tell everyone that asks that Chevy states they have all these cars that get 30 mpg but dont believe it. Our local dealer first blamed by tire pressure (it was 1 lb low). Then all they can say is the test were done in a wind tunnel and not in real conditions. I have wrote Chevy and no response. Thats customer service. Not sure I will every by Chevy again.

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  I love my car - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By CNAonthemove - October 7 - 11:50 am

  I drive about 300 miles per week to get to work in very heavy snow and everthing else. It handles very well in the snow. I would not trade my car in only for the newer one.

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  Good but not perfect - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By LouAnn - October 7 - 11:13 am

  Overall this has been a good reliable vehicle but we have has some issues along the way. The transmission dipstick rotted off near the handle (replaced under warranty) and the alternator pulley was squealing within the first year of ownership. We purchased new, but these just seem to be poor quality issues. More recently the trim at the top of the hatch froze in place (winter ice) and bent upward - nearly breaking the glass. The cheap plastic trim held up though it bent the metal brackets this is an obvious design flaw. Half the radio lights are out and its $800 to replace it. Fuel economy is ok for a big SUV(about 15mpg) and we took 4 kids to FL from MA in relative comfort last year.