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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  sweet deal - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By rinoboy - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Its a joy to use. Greatest versatility ever! no worries when traveling with boards and snowgear. lotsa looks and great to drive.

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  Fun Car - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Richard - October 6 - 4:28 pm

  I purchased this convertible in a salvage yard 4 years ago and after getting my R title it was back on the road. The following summer I took it on a 3700 mile road trip with no problems what so ever. This has been a great car and I really like it. It has all the options except the rear window defroster and all the options work. Problems have been minimal and easily repaired parts are cheap and can be obtained at my favorite auto parts store or junk yard. For me this has been a joy to own and I am looking forward to taking this car on a trip to the Florida gulf coast and then to the Keys next year.

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  Very dependable - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Rgrimes - October 6 - 4:27 pm

  Car has 246,000 miles with no major issues except for normal maintence like tune ups and tires. Still runs like new and had no problem going through the sniffer.

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  Hey, yall wanted to see a review right? - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By sandrock - October 6 - 2:16 pm

  Picked up the 08 SS a few days ago, and I have to say its pretty good. Everyone mentions the torque steer, and everyone that has mentioned it is right. This car will surprise you if you are not careful. The seats are firm, but do not "hug" you like a sport seat should, but then again, this car is meant to cruise, not for SCCA solo-D. Highway ride is excellent. AFM system turns on and off real stealth-like...and the fuel economy numbers for highway are stellar for this type of engine.

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  Great mileage...get the options - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Mark - October 5 - 4:13 pm

  My 2006 Cobalt has been fantastic to own so far. I have 43,000 mile swith the original tires and brakes still intact. The ride comfort leaves a little to be desired,and there is some front end noise the dealer says is normal. I drive 64 miles a day to work and average about 36 MPH as high as 42 on a good day.If you buy this car get all of the options you can afford otherwise you will tire of this car quickly. I have the LT package with the alloy rims and bigger tires as well as the pioneer radio system that was a huge suprise for a stock system. I live in Ohio and this little car has handled the last two horrible winters like a champ. It handles very well in all weather conditions.

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  Satisfied - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By G in NC - October 5 - 10:30 am

  I bought my Chevy new in 2004. I have had only two problems: In 2006, my horn stopped working, and the airbag had to be removed to fixed the problem. A pricey fix but was covered by my warranty. Now at 56000 miles, my check engine light has come on and am told I need to replace an Oxygen sensor. No biggie. Overall, the ride in my car is comfortable but noisy in traffic. I am short, so I like that the car is more compact than others Ive driven. I am not happy with the interior features: My dash has cracks from the sun, and the center console lid has completely fallen off. Other than that, I am happy with my purchase and love the gas economy. Good car for students!

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  Its OK, if you have no other choice - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Leona - October 4 - 10:53 pm

  I got this car 4 years ago (in January) and when the lease is up, its gone! Dont get me wrong, the car gets great mileage, and its fun to just step on the gas and go! But its a really light vehicle, and I get afraid of driving thru a puddle on the highway. Ive had to bring it to get fixed twice, and its had a recall. The gas gauge also never says that the tank is completely full, something thats evidently a recurring, "accepted", problem for Chevy cars..

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  Cant beat this car - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By robert - October 4 - 3:53 pm

  For the size for the money you cant beat this car import or domestic. Under $20k for ls model. I get 33 mpg highway in a full size. I did my homework and this a better deal than Toyota Camry, Honda Accord. This car is a plain Jane inside and out but that is what makes it a great car

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  Poor Mileage - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By ANGELA VARGAS - October 4 - 7:03 am

  Love the way the vehicle drives. The gas mileage is bad. We cant get the mileage it says its supposed to.

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  Love The Heavy Chevy - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By robes_71 - October 3 - 11:13 pm

  I purchased my Blazer in 2006 with 136,000 miles on it with the intention of using it mostly for towing my boat. Baby came, sold the boat, now its a daily driver. Long story short, its been a great vehicle. I now have 185,000 miles on it and have only replaced the alternator. I average 20+ mpg on the highway, which I feel is excellent for an SUV with that many miles. The 4x4 is sure footed and has never failed me. My only beef would be the braking could be a little stiffer, but Ive had that complaint of all Chevys, so maybe its just me. My dad has a 98 blazer with close to 300k miles. The 4.3L runs forever! I will definitely keep my Blazer until it rusts into oblivion.