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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  Car is Junk - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Shawn - July 6 - 2:44 pm

  Bought car second hand, still under warranty.It refuses to start (wont turn over) about twice per month (passlock issue). Very very annoying. Have to wait 15 minutes, flick door locks, and car will start. Head gaskets failed at 40,000 miles. Rocker arm stud pulled out of head a year ago, just happened again last week. GM used weak aluminum heads. The steering clunks, another GM defect. Body control module has been replaced twice. Lots of other problems as well. Last GM car for me.

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  Like it but I dont love it - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Daphne - July 6 - 2:16 pm

  I recently purchased my certified 2009 Traverse. I am already thinking its time to unload the truck. I think I need to purchase a 2010. The truck is making a whining noise that sounds like the power steering. I also noticed that the brakes tried to lock up this weekend. Last but not least, the dealership has inspected my car 2xs already. Today, will be the third time. This is costing me time and money. I havent received my tags yet and the 30 day tags they issued expire tomorrow. I think its time to stop being nice. I do like the ride, the room and Im proud to drive and American made vehicle.

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  Worth the money - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By David Leptich - July 6 - 11:54 am

  I bought this car in July 2006 with 13,000 miles. I now have 87,000 miles and am looking at my first set of brakes and new tires. I have had some front end work done both under warranty and last year for tie rods. This car gets about 34 miles to the gallon on rural roads. The interior controls are well placed and good to use when driving. The seats are comfortable in the front and serviceable in the back. Trunk room is good and the rear seats fold down for extra cargo room. I paid $13,500 used and I am pleased with the car.

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  Solid - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By TA - July 5 - 11:36 pm

  Bought my impala in 2005 used with 25K on it. Paid $11,900, and five years later car has 170K and still going strong. Had transmission rebuilt at around 125K miles, but other than that no repairs other than routine maint. The overall cost of ownership for the last five years has remained extremely low. Not the most flashy car for sure, but the most reliable car I have ever owned.

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  Dont do it - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Cassie - July 5 - 10:21 pm

  I owned one of these until the transmission died while I was going down the highway at 60 mph. The transmission had never been good, the car had also had a problem with the starter. When it was new it was in the shop every other week getting another problem fixed. It is cheaply built. While the engine did make it to 170k, it didnt do so reliably. If all of Chevys new cars are built like this Cavalier was, I wont ever buy Chevy cars again.

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  Great Value for the money - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By navalvet - July 5 - 9:22 am

  This is the first Chevrolet I have owned and I must say that I am quite pleased. I test drove a Ford, GMC, and Chevrolet and the Equinox was the best out of all three. Drives smooth and quiet. Bumps are hardly noticed. Space is well used, cargo area is large for a midsized SUV. For a V-6, sufficient power is available when needed.

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  Meh comparable Honda was better - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By bwright1970 - July 4 - 9:27 pm

  This car is a car thats fine to get around but down the road will not retain its value. Could they make the windshield washer reservoir any smaller? Its like a funnel, doesnt hold much fluid for winter driving. My drinks are doing back flips with those lousy non functional cup holders. Already a recall on power steering

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  jiggy widit - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Mo-Town Nurse - July 4 - 10:15 am

  Had it about a week. Yes, it has some shortcomings ( I have been told I do too, imagine that) we are very happy with it. Plenty of room, quieter than the Trail Blazer trade-in. Looks good, comfortable, easy to drive and to ride in. Plenty of gadgets for "non-technos" to play with.

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  Fix The Thin Fenders - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Camarofan - July 3 - 9:19 pm

  GM! Please finish out the fenders. They are very thin and need to be finished out. I was washing the car and almost broke the back fender off by the back wheel. GM needs to take a look at the 2010 Mustang and finish the camaro out like Ford Did. Also the 2010 Ford Mustang seems to have higher quality than Camaro. Love looking at the car. Fix the cheap thin fenders and paint.

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  consumer - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By L Onstad - July 3 - 8:11 pm

  I purchased this item with 15,000 miles. At less that 50,000 the transmission went out. The starter has gone out and the lift hatches. Expensive repairs and too soon. I dont four wheel the car, I am a woman. I wont buy it again and they dont stand behind their product.