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 beretta - 1993 Chevrolet Beretta
  By my93beretta - January 31 - 2:40 am

  i have been driving a Beretta for over 3 years got it for $700. Have put a bit of money into the about $2000 but car was not care for properly. The car is a 93 base with a 3.1 v6, gets about 26mpg with 160bhp. car is reliable and strong and can keep its own against other similar cars have beaten a mustang in speed.

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  2010 Tahoe - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By sctrooper - January 30 - 7:43 pm

  The Tahoe is Americas SUV, and I know why. It is an exceptional vehicle with a ride quality that the competition cannot come close to. I traded my 2011 Pathfinder in on the Tahoe, and I highly recommend the Tahoe over the Pathfinder. I use it to tow my ATV, load stuff up from Lowes & IKEA, and haul some friends around. The Bose sounds great, the lighting is pleasant, the leather is comfortable, and the interior and exterior styling are superb. The comfort and handling are great for an SUV of its size. The engine is quiet at all speeds and has sufficient power for anything you need it to do. My only complaint is the inability to lay the 3rd row seating completely flat.

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  Good/bad car - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By sgable - January 30 - 6:18 am

  I bought this car in 2006 with 30k miles. I had very bad credit at the time, and totally overpaid for this car. The Bad: The things Ive had to replace on this car is the front breaks, tires, heater setting plate, and the module box, so about $2,000 in cost. The carpet it cut too short on both passenger/drivers side but I was able to super glue them down. Sometimes if it rains A LOT then I have a leak on the passenger side. The Good: Overall, Ive had this car for 5 years and it still pretty much runs the same as when I bought it. I dont drive that much daily (only about 10 miles) but when I do have to take a long trip it gets great millage and is a comfortable ride.

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  25,000 exotic - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By kmart77 - January 29 - 2:18 am

  People this car was 25,000 and has the best looks of any american made sports car out there. Plus add to that a 312 hp engine a boston acoustics 245 watt stereo system, onstar, vehicle phone built in and sick performance. Are u kidding me try finding that elsewhere for the same price. And as to the knocks on blind spots and comfort it is a SPORTS car wake up. The overall experience of drivng this car is spectacular. The ecceleration is sick as well as the handling. I owned 6 camaros and 2 firebirds in the day as well as a 1988 toyota supra. This car for the money cant be beat. Remeber its not a camry or a milk toast family car if you what that buy one of those and not this head turner.

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  Poor Fuel Mileage - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By oldturtle1 - January 27 - 12:09 am

  Im a Certified Energy Conservation Driving Instructor and only able to coax out 20.1 mpg on a 600+ mile highway trip on a vehicle that is rated at 23MPG and should get upwards if 24-25 with good driving practices... Calling GM and taking to the dealer provided no relief or answers.

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  2010 four cylinder Malibu. - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By djm2 - January 26 - 5:30 pm

  I like the styling of the vehicle, and the fit and finish of the vehicle is outstanding! ---- The build quality is excellent, --- but the four cylinder engine leaves a lot to be desired. ------ In terms of performance it does not come close to a four cylinder Honda Accord engine. --- The vehicle does not achieve the listed miles per gallon. The best that I have been able to achieve in 8,000 miles of ownership is 27 mpg, out of a posted 30 to 33mpg. --- The quality of the original equipment tires leaves a lot to be desired. ---- My four tires loose air between 2,500 mile service intervals. -- If I were to purchase this vehicle again, I would purchase the V6 model. Best regards. ----- Dwayne

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  Money PIT!!!!!! - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By drsmilzel - January 26 - 12:24 am

  I have had my impala since 04 I bought it used with 60,000 miles on it. I have replaced the motor once, tranny once, and the power steering went 2 times and that was withing the first 2 years under the warrenty as well as the ABS and traction control sensors in the hubs are a pain they go every 2 years if not more often. Now after the warrenty is up I will say this thing has sucked more money out of me then if I had children! I find my self replacing the power steering pump constantly and the high presure line and the rack and pinion. The gas gauge doesnt work cause the level sensor in the sending unit is frozen and they want 300 for the whole unit cause you cant get just the level sensor.

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  NIce car for singles or couples good mileage! - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By kailash - January 25 - 3:26 pm

  I have owned this car for for over 5yrs now it has 83k on it, i have hit the road , from east to west and all the way to canada , I havent felt a bit of fear in my mind that it would ever break down on me on the high way, it always sid its the mailus way. I recently got the rotor and break pads fixed, this is after 83k miles on it, i get regular maintenence on it oil change and car washes do help, I got the transmissions fluids changed after 70k and runs like a tiger , i feel 120k will be a breeze for this car, i love and its not a cop magnet . so , u can drive with no fear.

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  Electrical issues anyone ? - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By salty_in_atl - January 23 - 3:41 am

  I have had this car for about 2 years now and the electrical issues started with the blinkers. I got them fixed and then it was the a/c not staying on in Atl. heat ! Now its the theft system or something. They changed out the they keys (door and ignition ) and the ignition box . Now it runs for two weeks then it just cuts off . I almost had it paid off now all this in the middle of winter. Is anyone else having this issue ? Is there a recall on this model ? Help !

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  Disheartened - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dsu24 - January 19 - 12:55 pm

  I have a 2005 Trailblazer EXT 4x4 and only have 58,000 miles on it. This was my first American vehicle and at first I loved it and was happy I made the switch. I have recently had a check engine light on and took it to the shop. Had a 300 error (engine misfire on cylinder 2) and after 2 visits and $150.00 later the shop told me to take it to the dealer. Just got off the phone and I am at $600.00 and they are still trying to figure out the issue. This truck is still brand new and should not have these issues. I have seen people complaining about this online so it is not just me. My wifes Nissan is older and has more miles and has no issues. This has soured me on GM. Stay away.