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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  Malibu 04 - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By stock - September 27 - 2:00 am

  The best car I have ever bought.

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  1999 Silverado - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By erratic29 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Had to repair transmission @ 60,000 miles ($1900), ABS system went kaput about the same time (est. $1,000 repair); have since found that this is a common problem that Chevy will not own up to. In spite of all these problems, I still like the truck. Its comfortable driving and fairly luxurious for a truck.

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  13000 miles of bliss - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Captain - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Engine is unbelievably smooth. Power seems endless throughout the RPM range. Rides smooth as silk. Wish we would have opted for the DVD player, too bad you cannot get DVD AND sunroof. I am 63", my wife is nearly 6. Neither of us have trouble getting comfortable in any of the seats (including 3rd row). Overall this is the most pleasant and comfortable vehicle we have owned.

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  My 2nd one of this model - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Kevin - September 27 - 12:39 am

  This is my 2nd Impala. So far Ive had to pay to have the transmission fixed ($1,100.00 - Take it apart) and (3,250.21) to have it fixed. There is a thumping/popping sound when you turn the wheel. That is due to a "shaft thing". Thats another $279.99 to fix. There is also a clattering sound when you are in 2nd gear and speed up. Dont know what thats about. The transmission slips and has a hard time changing gears. I dont know why both my Impalas gave me so many problems. I mean my last one was only 1 1/2 years old and the dealer said its showing wear and tear on the engine and transmission. Come on! Its not even that old. Other than that it starts immediately and rides smooth. I dont even drive my cars rough. Ive had my Caliber longer than my Impala lasted. My Caliber is 5 months old. When my Impala was 5 months problems started.

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  Like it but... - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By DKiD - September 26 - 11:50 pm

  I love the way it handles, and the way it looks. Not too many cars look the same. The only problem I have is that I cant get even 18.5 MPG when everyone here is claiming 22--26 or so.

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  Not bad at all for the price - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By aveorider - September 26 - 3:59 pm

  Ive had my Aveo for about two years now. Going on 27k miles and the car responds well. The size of the car is illusory because its so small when you see it but inside its quite roomy. For the price and with the price of gas in Los Angeles, its perfect and really enjoy. The best part, Ill have it paid off within the next three months.

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  Cobalt - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Cobalt - September 26 - 2:00 am

  Roomy and comfortable car with a large trunk. Low exterior noise. Window handle and seat belt keeper need to be of better quality.

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  Good truck but flawed - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By p driver - September 25 - 10:56 pm

  I find this truck to be reliable and fun to drive, but that changed when the transmission went out. Everyone one has no answer, and I hope that this is not the beginning of more problems.

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  Ups and Downs - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Amoore - September 25 - 10:00 am

  Wow my car is a month old, and well Its been in the shop for 2 weeks of the month I have owned it, this is not looking good. It had no problems in the first 200 miles, but after that, the transmission has been torn apart twice now to get things fixed, Valves and things I have never heard of. If you get lucky and have no problems enjoy it.

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  Good for the price - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Spoiler45 - September 25 - 10:00 am

  When it comes to price, you really cant beat the 2DR Coupe. Very comfortable on the inside, not bad on the outside. Fuel economy is what it should be for a car like this. Satisfactory leg room. Very reliable, no problems to date.