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:

• 

  Small and Simple... I like it - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Grizz - August 10 - 9:25 am

  I was planning to buy a Toyota Yaris but stopped to look at the Aveo and got it instead. I liked the 4 door and the price was thousands less. I got the 5 speed and wish I had the auto. I added cruise control and use the car for hiway driving. I can get 40mpg on long distances, but generally average about 36mpg. Worst thing is the sloppy shifter and hard seats. Lots of best things: Easier to get in & out of than my Buick, 4 doors, great mpg, easy to park and do u-turns, very simple interior controls.

• 

  My Favorite Ride - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By R Reeves - August 9 - 9:16 am

  I love my truck. It is comfortable to drive, easy to handle and I feel safe and secure at all times. Going from a small 4 dr sedan to a full size truck, gave me more visability on the road. I have had no mechanical problems. I just do the normal maintenance and she runs like a dream.

• 

  American made by children - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By unchevy - August 9 - 8:51 am

  Purchased "pre-owned", turns out it was a rental. had 14k on it at purchase. Just hit the 40k mark (and 3 year for it on the market) and the battery dropped dead the other morning. I have had 7 flat tires in 2 years (have not had a flat since my last Chevy back in 1998!) The fuel gauge/lever has already been replaced, noise from windows at high speeds like everyone else has said is annoying. gas mileage is OK, I dont let it go past 1/2 since it is so expensive so I am getting around 200 miles on a good week. Antenna comes loose every few months. Replaced front Goodyears with Yokahamas and they are so much better. I just dont like American cars. there was a reason I had Toyotas for years.

• 

  I would buy another one carefully - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By D & P Myers - August 8 - 5:26 pm

  We bought the SUV used with only 20k, but like it only had 2 miles on it!! Have been very happy with the power and comfort, the look is strong, masculine, but dont rub against anything or you will get bupper damage and maybe even more. The exterior look is great but lends to road scrathes on doors and poor bupper strength. The rear lience plate seal leaks and rear lights are not protected enough so they get chips and leak mosture into them. The interior after only 5 years has started to fall apart, and dash board buttons have scrathed off the name of the item. Fuel mileage could be better only 13-15 mpg.

• 

  Great Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By kstall3 - August 8 - 9:43 am

  I bought this truck used in 2004 with 19,000 miles. I have had very few problems in the last 4 four years. My fuel pump did go out, but I have observed that happens on all Chevy trucks, you have to factor that into the cost. My fuel economy is pretty good for having over 300 HP and 33inch tires (after market). I love this truck and dont have any plans to trade in.

• 

  Awesome car - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By John - August 8 - 6:12 am

  We bought it with 12000 on it. Just got rid of it yesterday with 172k. Most reliable car I have had. No major motor or transmission issues. We kept up with the maintenance. All things end. This year we were fixing things monthly. On the way to shop for brake switch the master cylinder failed and the brakes mostly locked up. Only recurring problem with the Lumina was brakes and rotors. Replaced them all several times and still they warped and the rear in particular would sqeak and had to be cleaned frequently. Mechanic said the Luminas were known for this problem. I will miss my Lumina.

• 

  All About My Little Wagon! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By edmondsmd - August 7 - 10:37 pm

  It rides very smooth. Im 66 and its the most spacious compact car Ive ever owned. I own a computer repair business and Im absolutely nuts about the shelf in the rear cargo area not to mention the 61 cubic feet of cargo room. I had one problem with a passengers side kick board that came loose sometime right around when I bought it. The dealership took care of it promptly.

• 

  LS Sedan - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By BrandonK - August 7 - 2:26 pm

  Ive owned my 1997 Cavalier sedan since it was new, over 10 years ago and can honestly say I enjoy the vehicle. The engine still runs great with 178,000 miles. Ive replaced the high beam light, alternator at 110,000 miles, water pump at 165,000 miles, and the power steering hose at 178,000 miles. Ive performed the repairs with my dad, so labor was free, yet the parts only cost about 200.00 total, making the total cost of ownership very reasonable. I drive about 60% highway and usually change the oil every 5,000 miles. The vehicle has consistently averaged 30 MPG at around 40% city and 60% highway. Im also 6 feet tall and think the vehicle has just the right about the leg room.

• 

  No Complaints here! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Maloderous - August 7 - 3:33 am

  Traded in a base-model Grand Prix for the LT and havent looked back. Sure the Grand Prix had a bigger V6, but she turned like a cow, fat too. Havent had the chance to use E85, not that it really matters to me, although great mileage for the size and driving conditions ~27 MPG avg would definitely recommend, especially with the great leasing options.

• 

  Pleasantly surprised - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Chris N. - August 7 - 2:08 am

  I wanted to give an American vehicle one more chance to impress me and the Cobalt been up to the task. I have the base model LS with only cruise control as an added option. It has gotten terrific gas mileage on long trips (36 mpg) and around town averages over 32 mpg. I have had no mechanical problems with it after almost 2 and half years of daily use. It still rides quietly and comfortably and has plenty of ummp! to merge into traffic on the highway. It seats 4 avg. size adults. My only complaints are lack of interior storage space and, while the storage capacity of the trunk is ample for an economy car, the trunk entry is too small. Other than that, for a daily commuter GM got it right.