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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  My Doors will not Open - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By luxiestar - March 11 - 12:09 pm

  I recently purchased my used Chevy Cobalt in December. The first time my door got stuck I thought it was my fault because the next day the doors open. Earlier this week my drivers side door got stuck again my dad went out and opened it with no problem. But again the next day the door was stuck again and my dad and I could not get it open. I was with some friends last night and both doors were stuck we both literally had to climb out of the window to get out. This is my the first car that Ive ever bought. Ive only had this car for a short time and I really need it to get back and forth from work. Gm really needs to do something about this problem because

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  2005, automatic - 65,000 Miles - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jdubsnow - March 10 - 8:06 pm

  Ive had this car for 2.5 years, I got it because I needed a car and it was a great deal. For city and in town driving, this car is perfect...however - if you drive on the freeways a lot, it is terrible at high speeds/with wind - due to how light the car is in weight. It also is not great in snow...so if you live in the Midwest, or anywhere with a lot of snow in the winters, I would not recommend this little go-kart. It gets stressful in the snow with how light it is - and you cannot get great tires, especially over 14" - so that doesnt help. If you go too fast, you will slide, and if you go too slow, you will get stuck. It is great for nice weathered places though, and in town driving.

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  Amazing!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By rush_2112 - March 10 - 4:47 pm

  I have owned my Cavalier for about 6 months now and I couldnt be happier with my purchase. The Vehicle was a trade in at the dealership I work at. I have always wanted a Cavalier so I inspected it and test drove it right away. It had 119,000 miles on it and the only problem I noticed was it was leaking antifreeze very fast so I new it wasnt the head gasket. I decided to purchase the Cavalier knowing I could replace the water pump myself for $15.00 with lifetime warranty! After I fixed the water pump I have never had a single problem with the vehicle. I drive it everyday to work, pleasure and trips and it has never let me down. People writing bad reveiws dont know how to take care of cars.

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  Unsafe - 2011 Chevrolet HHR
  By ray190 - March 9 - 8:38 pm

  You can not see out of this car. I am 5-10 and my head is in the roof and my shoulder is agaist the door. This is not a car its a coffin

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  PAINT CHIPS!!! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jennybain - March 8 - 10:52 am

  I have wanted a Camaro since the Movie Transformers came out.. I love the look of the car . It is completely sexy and hot!... However, I have had my Camaro for 2 months and every single time I wash it or inspect it, I find more and more paint chips.. It is so disappointing.. I dont tail other drivers and I park in the nose bleed section of every parking lot to prevent door dings... These chips are coming out of no where.. There are not scratches.. these are large chunks of paint missing.. you can see the gray primer under it.. Also in the seams where the hood meets the fenders, the paint is flaking off.. I really hope Chevy does something about this.. I love my car..:(

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  Fuel Pump -- Bad MPG - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By uncles - March 7 - 6:23 pm

  Purchased in December, 2010. At 3,500 miles, the fuel pump went out putting fuel into the oil. Currently waiting for the repair. Because this is a new vehicle, the pump will not arrive at dealership for 3 to 5 days to be completed. Never got over 21 mpg even though it said we should have 32 mpg.

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  26000 kilometers in and the love is gone - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By carstryke - March 7 - 5:46 pm

  Well im 26000 kilometers and 17 months into ownership. So far i have replaced a Axel Seal, the Radio reciever, had to bring it in to get my XM fixed and currently it is the shop because my drivers door lock and power window is not operational and my Xm isnt working again and my check engine light has been flashing on and off for months. Now there are a few unsolved problems i have had too, Occasionally it makes loud knock while cornering, the transmission occasionally slips, once after a road trip there was a strong burning smell coming from the vents and i have had to boost it multiple times this winter even when it was plugged in. Trading it in at a loss as soon as i find something else

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  my 3.6 malibu ltz - 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
  By glacier754 - March 7 - 4:22 pm

  very nice car, surprised at power and overall ride control, love the white diamond paint and the way it handles in ice and snow. Overall very nice car, and impressed wit it more everyday.

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  2011 Chevy Cruze 1lt - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cabsahea - March 7 - 1:40 pm

  Bought this car two weeks ago. I test drove the Honda Civic 4dr and coupe, Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion, VW Jetta, Chrysler Avenger..just couldnt bring myself to drive the Hyundai, nothing against the car but its just a personal choice..decided on the Cruze based on several factors: 1) quite ride 2) mpg 3) overall appearance was more preferrable to me then the others 4) comfort ...After driving it for 2 weeks I am very impressed with the mpg..I have a 115 mile daily commute, 80% freeway and 20% street..I am blown away by the fact that i have averaging 36.2 miles per gallon!!! This is a huge deal to me because my other car is an Escalade which averaged 16.1 on the same trip..I am very pleased.

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  Value That Looks and Feels Upscale - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By cragman1 - March 7 - 1:22 pm

  Mine is the 1.8, but with the Automatic 6spd. The car I traded was an 08 Cobalt LS Automatic. I used to feel I had to be embarrased even doing a review on such a basic car, but I actually enjoyed the Cobalt. But, when faced with the reality of the 3 yr bumper to bumper expired, the slightest click or pop in the steering or suspension made me start looking at my next "repair cost free" new car. I looked at the other brands in this price range and soon became dismayed at the cramped drivers area and unavoidable plastic look of the quote "Best Sellers" in this class. The Cruze won me, hands down. Looks. Ride.Pep (yes, Pep.) Interior A++++++++. Show me a Fit,Civic or Corolla as good.