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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  Wish they still made these! - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By drdetroit - September 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the third s10 I have owned, I have had a 99,00 and the current 02. I am very partial to the 4.3 because it is very dependable and I always put 200,000 miles or more on these trucks. I do not know why people have had problems with the fuel pump, I have got 180,000 out of all of mine. I always felt the truck was a good buy with good looks for the money! I would Rather push a USA truck than drive any Toyota!

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  Needed new alternator at 98,000 miles - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By WCS_in_SM - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Updates "Smooth Ride" 7/22/09 and "Needed new engine at 71,000 miles pm 8/22/09. Car would not start. Got jumped, went a mile, car died big time. Towed to dealer. $816 for new alternator. Battery is still OK. If you buy an American car new, get that 100,000 mile warranty!

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  Will buy again - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Susan - September 27 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Impala and prior to that I had a 91 Lumina. This is the best so far although I liked the look of my 2002 Impala much better and Chevy got cheap with the interior lights and mirrors (must have been a mans idea). My check engine light is on now and my remote start wont work. Im told its a sensor in the evac system. Trying to find out what thats going to cost me. I do go through front brakes & rotors annually. I dont replace with Chevy parts and I never cut the rotors.

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  Have had very good experience - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By james palmerini - September 26 - 2:00 am

  I havent had any problem with any break down. I have preformed all maintenance required. I have no complaints. I have to sell because I cant drive anymore due to health reasons. The vehicle has never been in an accident no mechanical problem.

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  Could have been a great truck by GM. - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By marc - September 26 - 2:00 am

  It is nice an comfortable to drive this truck however GM needs to fix problems with defects in the design of their 04 Model even though they are out of warranty. Occasionally I have had electrical problems such as the door locks no longer working (seems to happen more often when it is cold outside but happens even in summer months), Battery (went dead faster than other cars I have owned and it is hard to find battery replacement), left or right side headlights, turn signal/side marker lamp suddenly stop working, etc. I did take my truck to the dealer a couple of times for the door locks. Dome light comes on and stays on all night, had troubles with anti-theft system. Parking Brakes died.

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  My first Vette, worth the wait - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Dave - September 26 - 2:00 am

  Im 38 and this is my first Vette. Ive loved Vettes since I saw the old C3s back in the 70s, and finally bought an 09 Coupe last year, Ive had it for almost a year now, with no problems whatsoever. Im worried about when its time to buy new tires! Yikes! $1-2K, but I love the fact that I can take this car anywhere (ritzy neighborhood, fancy restaurant, meeting new people, clients, friends) and it is immediately accepted and welcomed, usually they are impressed and jealous! And of course you always get a few looks wherever you go. I bought the LT1 because I just wanted to have a Vette, didnt need all the cool features, although it would be nice. I get about 20 mpg, not bad.

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  This car was a mistake - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Joel - September 26 - 2:00 am

  We needed a nice car and that is what we thought we were getting. I bought this car and there was a tapping noise in the front end. I made it known to the salesperson and they took it into the shop. The shop said that the strut arms and some other things need to be changed out. They change them out and charged an arm and a leg. The dealership paid half and I need to pay the other. After about a week, the same stuff is happening and this time it is shaking even more. I took it back to the dealerships shop and the Mechanic told me that the sound that we are hearing and the shaking that it is doing, is just road noise. Now when I try to stop, the car makes kind of like a "jack brake," noise.

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  Replaced 2005 Durango - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Clint - September 26 - 2:00 am

  Ready to leave on 3K mile trip from Saskatchewan Canada to Disneyland California pulling a 33 foot camper and our Hemi Durango wouldnt start and dealer had no idea how to fix. Found the Burb (5.3L, LTZ, AWD) and it was awesome. Little less power than Hemi but better in everything else. Wife and 3 kids loved it. Added 1 qt oil in 3K miles, running Mobil 1 synthetic. Drove through cold and extreme heat, pouring rain, and wind with no problems. Very impressed overall. Better mileage then the Hemi and larger gas tank much appreciated as some stretches with minimal fuel service. But really, it is a full size vehicle, so who cares about mileage.Get a crossover if you want mileage.

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  Great Car - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By John - September 26 - 2:00 am

  I have been very pleased with this car. Before purchasing I test drove a Honda Accord, Ford Fusion, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry. This car had the best ride and had better styling than these others. Whenever I have rented another midsized car during the past year, I am anxious to get back to my Malibu. Attention was given to the small details in the Malibu that other competitors did not. The ride is smooth, and the interior is very stylish and quiet. I love the interior two tone titanium color. The black interior was too dark for me. Overall, this is a great car.

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  A Great general use Vehicle - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Michael - September 25 - 2:00 am

  A fairly "cool" looking vehicle with performance capabilities and good fuel economy! Handling is great and on the last road trip, was getting 420 miles a tank (16 gal) doing 80+ mph. Fairly Large trunk space and comfortable bucket seating. Excellent Braking System and restraint system for high speed driving and safety!