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:

• 

  I love it, I love it! - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Tracker - August 17 - 3:10 pm

  It is the best car I have ever owned! I am single, and if a single person can only have one vehicle, I believe it should be a 4 wheel drive. I can get out in the snow, but stay away from ice. I love the way it looks, perfect for hauling stuff around. Ive used it as a moving van three times now. Ive never had a problem, other than general maintenance replaced a headlight bulb, windshield wipers, tires, etc. Ive never even had to have the brakes worked on. Its absolutely perfect for me. I use it for everything, work, play, church, driving to the beach. And when I take it up to the mountains, I feel like Im driving a BMW! I am so thankful! Cant imagine why they stopped making it.

• 

  Way to go Chevy! - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Charlie - August 17 - 2:27 pm

  Bought this crossover for my wife. Her Toyota Sienna was coming off lease. The Traverse was quieter, rode nicer, and had more power than the Sienna. We had also decided to give an American car company a look. My wife has been very pleased with the Traverse. Weve been getting around 20 mpg around town and 23 mpg on the highway. Really like the back-up camera and the leather interior. Also looked at a Buick Enclave but it was significantly more expensive for essentially the same vehicle. So far, weve been very glad we went with a Chevy.

• 

  Not very satisfied - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By mjenkins - August 17 - 10:58 am

  I purchased my Malibu brand new in 03/09 and I have had numerous problems. I am so tired of this car and wish I wouldnt have purchased it. Its only nice looking. I have had to have new brake pads, door replaced, battery, and now its in the shop because the entire dashboard shut down and its jerking continuously. I cant even drive my car. I will NEVER purchase another Chevy!

• 

  Comfortable Ride - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By GAChevyOwner - August 17 - 10:12 am

  I have now had the Traverse for 10 months and its extremely comfortable. Cant feel road bumps which is nice! I have a 1 hour commute each way with lots of traffic and get the promised 17 MPG in the city. Havent had a chance to take a long road trip yet, but the couple of short trips we have taken, we are extremely happy. I have had full grown adults in the 3rd row and all have said the room is great. The only complaint I have is the side mirrors need to be redesigned. Water collects on them in the rain and makes it impossible to see, with the huge blind spots in this vehicle, the side mirrors are a must! I wish the sun/moonroof had a hard cover to block out sun when needed.

• 

  Problem under 300 miles - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By XCOPPER - August 16 - 10:43 pm

  Bought this car Brand new off the lot. 275 miles later the stereo volume control wouldnt work. buttons wouldnt work. They replaced with a new one, Parts guy stated there were several ordered because of this problem. Gas Mileage isnt as great as they tell you. Might be because its still breaking in, not sure. City I am getting around 19-21 MPG. I test drove the same model before I got this one ( it had 500 miles on it ) the A/C was not working.

• 

  Great Car! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Erin - August 16 - 7:12 pm

  I am very surprised to read about the problems that a lot of reviewers have had. I bought my car used from Hertz Car Sales and have not had one issue. I love the spacious inside and think that the gas mileage has been great for an SUV. It has been incredibly reliable!

• 

  Paint chipping - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By michael sackett - August 16 - 6:47 pm

  Sinse I purchased this 2010 camaro the paint is chipping away in front if the rear tires. I talked to a dealer about this and was told that they, meaning Chevrolet knows this was a problem and was not going to do anything about it. I called customer assistance and reported my problem. I was given a ref # and they would get back to me the next day. I must say my car is red with ground effects, now its red with white spots down booth sides. I am embarrassed too show the car to anyone. thanks Chevrolet you let America down. Michael R. Sackett

• 

  My new ride - 2010 Chevrolet Impala
  By uh60guy - August 16 - 10:02 am

  Impala is the best kept secret in General Motors. Practically nothing is spent in advertising for this car yet it continues to be a best seller. In a time when cars seem to be shrinking and full size cars are turned into European style "sport sedans" Impala still offers a level of comfort and style not available elsewhere. New GM cars like the Buick Lacrosse, though a fine vehicle, has an interior that seems inspired by jet fighter cockpits. A tall driver has no place to put his right knee. The CTS, another fine vehicle, when equipped with a sun roof does not offer enough head room. Impala still has plenty of room for a full-sized person while still offering style and performance.

• 

  2009 beige cobalt - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By christine Parker - August 16 - 12:39 am

  Fun to drive, 30000 miles, mechanical problems, turn signal wouldnt shut off, now "something " is draining the battery, in shop for diagnosis. could not locate fob for above mentioned car

• 

  Fine van - 1993 Chevrolet Astro
  By blinky - August 15 - 9:30 pm

  I rescued this astro van ext from the yard of my neighbor after he died. It was not driven for three years. I replaced two freeze plugs changed the oil cleaned her up and put it on the road. It drives and handles great. Heres the kicker, it has 260,956 miles and can out run my 1993 Toyota corolla. I love this van.