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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  Bad Car! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Cody - July 28 - 12:16 am

  Well I bought it hoping for it to be my "reliable vehicle". Just after I bought it the sensors kept setting something off and making it kill. Now the front end I going out. It needs a new control arm. Then slowly the passenger window kept moving slower and slower and now will not move. Then my whole sunroof switch fell out 1 day. The car is crap. So I am not at all avoiding the problems that I wanted to. This vehicle is just creating more. It shouldve had many more recalls. I used to really like Chevrolet, but now Im not so sure I will buy one once again.

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  Been a Great SUV - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Bammer - July 27 - 9:21 pm

  Have 73,000 miles and still runs and operates great. A minor emission hose is only problem so far - and that was under warranty. Otherwise keep up with maintenance and no problems. Drive it everywhere and haul people and goods. Would be nice to have folding third seats, but I keep them out mostly anyway. Engine is good performer and mileage is decent. Interior layout is nice but some plastic is cheap (power outlet covers broke off). Light color carpet shows dirt too easily and cant get fully clean. All around been very happy with this vehicle. Drive it right and follow maintenance schedule!

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  Love my K1500 Suburban - 1994 Chevrolet Suburban
  By kostura - July 27 - 3:19 pm

  i love my suburban i have had no serious problems with it at all. i picked it out when i was about 5 years old when my parents where looking to buy a new vehicle and needless to say it has lasted threw everything my parents used it for and was passed to me when i turned 16. i have used it for long distance trips and as an everyday driver since i got it a few years back and it is unmatched in driver and passenger comfort. i personally prefer it over driving my mothers 2003 Tahoe. If anyone is looking into buying a 94 that looks to be in good shape i say go for it its an awesome vehicle and you wont be disappointed.

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  This Car is Junk - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jon - July 27 - 1:46 pm

  Please do not buy this car. GM has gotten so bad, everything they put out is junk. bought the car with 80K, and put 25K on in the last 2 years. replaced brakes and rotors, no biggie, that was easy. car hit 100K and dash board lights lit up like a Christmas tree. ABS and Trac Control Failed, module failed, repalcement cost $2,700 for parts. So that hasnt been done, no more trac control or ABS for me. Had the headlights go out once on a sharp curve, that was nice. the radio light flashed at me, which is a pain at night. in the day you cant read the odometer or radio lights. now the AC blower motor doesnt work all the time. have to shut the car off and restart. this car is junk.

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  Love my Malibu except for ... - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mary Koch - July 27 - 11:53 am

  Love the looks, the handling, the performance on the hills and freeway. I dont like the blind spots-cant see out back side window if theres a passenger in the front seat or behind me on the drivers side. Childrens car seats dont fit well in the back and no room for an adult in the middle - back seat is smaller than my old Camry. Trunk is small but does hold more than I thought it would. Dont get black interior if you have children! I have grandchildren so they arent in the car a lot but when they are what a mess!

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  Great gas mileage Key Stuck - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By bionicguru - July 27 - 9:45 am

  I easily get the 35 miles per US gallon stated in the heat of the summer but only about 30 mpg in winter. If you get the sport package the cheapest tires i could find were $166 each. My key did get stuck and would not come out. This was a bad solenoid in the shifter assembly and was covered under the powertrain warranty. If this happens to you You can remove the key by pushing the shifter all the way to the left and turning the key at the same time and the key will release.

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  2 years later & LTZ is still the best! - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Michael - July 27 - 6:44 am

  I bought this big black beauty 25 months ago, and it is still the best vehicle I have ever had. The only issue was I needed to have the chrome handle replaced last month after it came loose. But other than that this truck is still as great as the day I bought it. It rides like a Cadillac, 90% of the time I can haul without removing the sails, the bed has ample room for transporting furniture without having to lower the back seats.

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  Like A Rock - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By scott - July 27 - 1:35 am

  We took our Chevy Traverse on vacation. We drove from Connecticut to Florida. Both our small children sat in the 2nd row. There was plenty of room for them, as well as our luggage. We stored our luggage by placing the third row down and there was plenty of room for everything, including all the souvenirs we purchased at Disney World. The Traverse handled very well through all different climates, altitudes and traffic conditions. We mostly drove during the night on cruise control with the A/C cracked up and we averaged 24 mpg, during higher mountain conditions we averaged 22-23 mpg. . If you need to tow a boat, consider the Tahoe,otherwise the Traverse with the Tow Package is the way to go.

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  GM nailed it! - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By welderwoman - July 27 - 1:26 am

  I absolutely love the car! The sunroof really makes it look sharp. I tried the Ford Fusion but the ride was choppy compared to the Malibu.Im glad I tried the Malibu first because I wasnt happy with any other car. The ride is great, we both have bad backs so the ride was really important. I got a great deal to boot!I rode in a friends Camry and it just doesnt compare. GM nail it with this one! On Star is great, Ill probably renew that.

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  Cobalt Review - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Maurer.139 - July 26 - 5:49 pm

  Besides the brakes needing to be replaced I have never had a problem with this car. It looks nice and it drives well.