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:

• 

  Super Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Gracie - November 28 - 2:00 am

  I have loved this car. Although it isnt fancy, it has done me well. I havent any major issues with it. I did have to replace two of the power window motors, the starter and the water pump, but all together less than 500.00 in almost 5 years. Never had any sign of trouble, and it always gets me to where I need to go. I have taken it on several 1000+ miles trips with no problems.

• 

  No problems whatsoever - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By love mine - November 28 - 2:00 am

  To whoever paid $800.00 for an alternator you got ripped big time, you can buy these for 89.00 at about any auto parts store, mine now has 93,000 miles and it had a recall on the wiring harness and that all it ever had done to it still runs and drives like new 2.4 engine is the better of the 2 engines mine is a lt model I will drive it till it no longer goes then I will buy a new one they will stop these in 2011 as I was told, varoooom

• 

  Just purchased 07 LTZ hope its worth it. - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Marmax - November 28 - 2:00 am

  Purchased 07 AV LTZ, with 43K mi black on black with Nav/Cam, on 11/27/2010 after test driving, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra 1500 SLT, Chevy Silverado 1500, Toyota Tundra Limited. I was close to getting the Tundra but preferred the look of the exterior and interior of the AV much better. I test drove it for a week before my final purchase. Ive only had it for six days, but it looks, runs and feels great. I have a tendency to use the cruise control as much as possible and have been getting about 16.5 mpg in the city. This is not my everyday car but I wanted a truck that looked great and could make runs to Home Depot, haul away debris from my DIY projects. SUV insurance rates not a truck.

• 

  Its great but ... - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Heather - November 28 - 2:00 am

  I love my new Traverse, it snowed the day I bought it so I got to test it out right away and so far no slipping on the ice. My only complaint is that when I come to a stop the cabin fills up with very strong fumes that smell exactly like natural gas, I read about this in the older model reviews, so I will have to go back and research any solutions. This happens 100% of the time, so its not like I was in an area of town that had a gas leak or anything. Otherwise I love this car, the storage is awesome and it handles really well. Its just as easy to drive as my Ford Escape and I do a lot of tight parking lots and u turns in my line of work.

• 

  GM is unrecognizable in goodness - 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
  By myinnervoice - November 28 - 2:00 am

  I shopped Nissan, Hyundai, Toyota, Ford Escape, an used Mercedes Benz. After driving the Mercedes (2004 model), my daughter tried Malibu. She can hardly hear the engine. The car is smooth and GM dealership behaved as if they were a Lexus dealership. The deal of Malibu in Black Friday was amazing. It seems GM changed the money factors that day. The car is beautiful looking, with power. It has some indescribable feeling of exhilaration while driving it. A state of bliss that no Malibu in the past offered. It awakens self-confidence in drivers who feel much richer and free. Its a car for the young, suddenly. It help you aim high and see possible what one thought impossible before.

• 

  Disgust - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By uplandered - November 27 - 2:00 am

  tires wear unevenly because the suspension is poorly engineered. cheap plastic, breaks, starter is retarded, transmission slips, no rear air, manual rear windows (in a minivan?) battery in-accessible, this chevrolet is a glaring example of engineering by people who no longer care. DO NOT BUY ONE! you wont be able to resell this car.

• 

  Nicest looking sports car on the road - 2001 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Brent - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I could of bought anything in the mid $20,000 range as a seasonal summer sports car. Hands down my decision to buy a 2001 Corvette convertible was dead on. Fast, sexy, North American built, cant beat it. Man I love this car, thumbs up all the time. St Catharines built LS1, fit and finish is tops, paint is excellent, 30 mpg. You kidding me this is one great car.

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By MeLove - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car in July of 2007 brand new. I had only one minor electrical issue that was repaired quickly under warranty (Service bulletin). I replaced the cabin air filter at 45,000 mi. and new tires at 48,000 mi. other than oil and filter changes and one alignment Ive not had any problems in 72,000 miles.

• 

  Wow. - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Reinarzman - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car about 6 months ago with 91,000 miles on it. I am going to college in Chicago and reside in Michigan. I drive home all the time and have racked up 14,000 in the past three months. This car has been amazing. Clean carfax. nothing has ever been serviced besides new tires and oil changes. I cannot believe the power out of the basic V6 and the fuel economy for a full-sized four door car. I am overly happy with everything GM has done with this. If you maintain this car and dont be stupid with it, this car will last you for a lifetime.

• 

  Disappointing but... - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ScootsG8 - November 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Aveo5LT in August of 09 after getting a job an hour from home. I drive rural highways nearly all the way. A 15mph wind makes it unnerving and a 25 mph wind makes it downright scary. Being in MN, its difficult to get around in snow with the small tires and short clearance. Im averaging 31 mpg on the highway and thats not enough. Its loud, not really well-built and to be honest, its easy to imagine heavy damage meeting anything larger than a mailbox, should you get in an accident. The oil filters are spendy. Suzuki builds the for Chevrolet. The only saving grace of the Aveo is the room. Im 63" and have no issues with headroom in the car. Value is so-so.