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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  Aveo, what a mistake. - 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
  By roadkilled680 - July 16 - 3:35 pm

  Where do I start? Theres so much wrong. It started with the accelerator being wired backwards. When you step down on the gas it stops when you let up it goes. The engine sputters on acceleration. The trans grinds into 2nd gear. Gas mileage very poor 30 highway at best with 5 spd. Now the other day the engine just died and I couldnt get it going again. Bought brand new 09 gm will not accept any responsibility

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  just so-so - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By GM - July 16 - 2:44 pm

  The car is nothing special many compare it to Camry - Camry is a so-so either gas mileage is never better than 24MPG with 50% highway city is 18-19 MPG visibility problem with right turns - right side window column and the mirror block a great deal of view poor body assembly - uneven gaps around hood, trunk, rear lights, rear fender poor acceleration uphill from 70 MPH up - probably due to 4 speed transmission (the engine is OK) some radio knobs are less responsive than others the steering wheel "clicker" that tuns off the turn light when a turn is complete misses 7 times out of 10 requires a lot of room for a U turn trunk is big but its opening is small.

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  Intermittent Shifting - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Cowboywong - July 16 - 2:36 pm

  I ordered my Equinox in March and picked it up in May. Car went back 3rd day for ignition steering wheel lock. Dealer repaired and no other issues. Transmission downshifted weird on highway and at low rpm. Took it back to dealer and they said it was a quart low on fluid and that should fix it. At 1,800 miles exact issue. Got a loaner car and they reloaded software for transmission. Got car back a week later, ran fine for 13 days, then same issue. Called Chevy and they told me more was done then was on the invoice but they are sending me back to the dealership to try for the third time. Michigan has a lemon law but I am considering getting a lawyer. I know earlier post referenced transmission problems.

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  About my 94 z28 M6 - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By NiteRiderz704 - July 16 - 1:35 pm

  0-60 in 6 secs tops, 6 speed. What more to say? In 6th gear at 70 mph I can get 35+ mpg highway! So good fuel econ. huge smoky burnouts. Id love to see your Honda do that! Yet another reason to buy American muscle! Do not buy from a dealer, they want too much money. I got my 94 for $2,000. A steal. Can get them all day $3k-$5k from individuals.

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  Blazer - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Baker - July 16 - 12:23 pm

  I had purchased my blazer, i needed the extra room, so i got it. This blazer has everything electronic, and leather seats. All the bells. My engine is the 4.3 V6 Vortec. Now i got to drive for two weeks. Then the intake gaskets went out, followed by the whole head. I had to purchase a new motor. Then the rear brakes went out. For those who have this model Blazer, watch out , because it is VERY common for these things to go out.

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  Great Truck - Amazing tow quality - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Eric - July 16 - 11:24 am

  Very good truck and first American full size SUV Ive owned. I never bought before dude to styling of interior - the 2008 styling is really nice and ALMOST up to European standards but still a little ways to go. The towing capability with the air adjusted ride is amazing - the truck literally will adjust itself based on the amount of weight added. Gas mileage is "OK" but what Id expect in a large V8. not sure the "switching to a V4" feature makes any difference. The review states its a chore to take out the rear seats - I think anyone in general good health will not have issues removing the rear seats - Ive never found it a bother. how often do you need to take them out, really?

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  GM Needs Quality Control - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By rippontiac - July 16 - 3:16 am

  I owned a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix that was fun sporty and fast. However its radiator cracked at about 200,000. I figured I should get a Chevy because i figured it would be a nice car. I was wrong I should have bought another Pontiac or Ford. Im replacing tires every 19,000 miles approximately because the car came with a weird toe angle on the rear tires, the suspension and steering are too loose. On the suggested improvements i ran out of characters

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  The Comfy one - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By The Fishmonger - July 15 - 10:18 pm

  The LTZ is replacing our 2002 Avalanche North Face. Very happy with the choice and better than expected.. Ordered the sunroof and 2nd row center console, Tow package. No electronics e.g. DVD or navigation Great Fuel economy of 23,8 Highway and 19.8 combined. Note: we drive mostly in a rural area. Our dog approves of our choice too. Plenty of room for all, including the grand kids.

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  Poorly built - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tim - July 15 - 7:43 pm

  I bought this car hoping it would be a good vehicle like the previous GM products I purchased in the past. I am disappointed and the more I drive it the more I hate it. My number one complaint is road noise. You can here every bump you hit and everything rattles under the car. The plastic bumpers, grill, and lights are easily moved with your hands. the whole front end is held on by plastic clips allowing a lot of travel and contributing to the road noise. GM could have done a better job. Not the quality product I expected from GM.

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  My Kind a Car.... Chevy... - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By leethompson - July 15 - 1:48 pm

  As a long time Chevy man. I could only dream of a car like the Malibu. Always wanted luxury car with sport car feel. Who could afford that with 3 kids and wife. Now kids are all grown up. Its me time. Went car shopping. Look what I found. The 2008 Chevy Malibu ltz. The lord has answer my prayers after so many years. This car is just super. Best price - performance anyone would want. People stare and look at this car everyday. All my friends (many). Were so impressed . What a beautiful car. Turn the motor on get into the street with my 252 hp 24 valves. Smoke the road to no end. Get this car while they last. Mi thank you Chevy!