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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  Impala is impressive - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By TD - June 18 - 10:48 pm

  I would recommend the Impala to anyone. It has a really cushy ride without being too soft and floaty. The steering is effortless. The seats are extremely comfortable and I love the bench seat. Its much more comfortable than a bucket that is restricting if you have longer legs. The stereo with factory pre-amp is delightful. Gas mileage is impressive for such a big car, Im getting an average of over 27 MPG with about 1/2 city driving. 4-wheel ABS disc brakes are smooth as silk. Engine seems solid and purrs. I have been a Toyota celica/camry guy for decades now but this car won me over. Congratulations to Chevy for making a car worthy of American label. I love this car.

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  Good but wet - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By UG - June 18 - 9:51 pm

  Overall, the vehicle is mechanically sound. I have a little over 111,000 miles on it so far. 18-20 mpg? you may want to check how you drive. I can easily get 22 city and 26 highway. Just dont take off like a rocket and use cruise control. Through the mountains driving across the country we got about 24, fully loaded with household goods and such. Typical maintenance, oil, brakes, transmission fluid change. Never had anything major go wrong, thank you God. Good van. It has been spun out on a California interstate at 70 mph, 720 degrees worth of rotation, driven through the Rockies in summertime, through Arizona in the same. Strong vehicle. Maintain it, and it will take care of you.

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  Love this truck - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By barron - June 18 - 5:10 pm

  I bought this sport model when it had 125,000 on it for $6000.00. The only items I have replaced was the fuel pump, alternator, water pump, and transfer case. And it has had a regular tune up. I replaced most of the Items when it had over 150,000 miles on it. It now has over 162,000 on it now and is still going strong. The only thing I dont like is how the rear door opens. On mine you open the window and the door folds down like a tail gate on a pickup truck. It goes great in the snow and does everything I ask of it. The body on mine is excellent. Mine has the 5.7 vortec in it. All of the parts replaced were original factory parts. Love this truck

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  Give me better gas mileage and quality - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Brian - June 18 - 3:10 pm

  I love the vehicle, however it has not been without problems. One of the A/C ducts were inoperable and needed to be replaced. Next, the engine light kept coming on, ended up having to have the timing chains replaced. Gas mileage is not what was advertised. Struggle to average 17 MPG. Driving is pretty much a mix of hwy/city with slightly more city. Aside from those problems I do enjoy the drive, handling, interior design, storage space. It just stinks that Ive had to deal with these problems, now my concern is longevity, will the vehicle hold of for years to come w/o additional problems.

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  Proudest owner of a Chevy Suburban - 2010 Chevrolet Suburban
  By 1st chevy - June 18 - 1:44 pm

  Best car ever. My very first Chevy and wont be the last either

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  A good full size car - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Scotlad - June 18 - 12:15 pm

  A few issues when new, mostly inside trim and brakes. GMs Chinese made rotors are junk. Have been replaced twice in 40k miles. Otherwise the car is great. Average 25 mpg in town and 29+ on the highway. Given what we paid ($22,500) nothing else came close.

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  Great for the Tall and Small - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By Kristie - June 18 - 11:45 am

  Love this vehicle. Cargo capacity is wonderful! Both my boyfriend and I can drive this vehicle (hes 63" and Im 410"). Fits 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 kids. We love being able to go places with our friends and our dog without worrying about space. Love the rear cargo design with the adjustable floor. Great on gas! Thinking about getting another when our 2nd car goes.

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  Great fuel mileage - expensive repairs - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Domino - June 18 - 9:43 am

  The fuel mileage is excellent. The brakes fail way too early. I have gone through one complete brake shoes/pads/rotors.drums replacement at about 50,000 miles. Now the front rotors are warped again.. The transmission failed at 84,000 miles. I had it serviced at 80,000 miles (maintenance schedule calls for transmission service at 100,000 miles). I now have over $3000 in repairs on a 5 year car. I have a 13 year old Ford ranger (90k miles) that I have spent about $1000 in repairs. Good thing GM now has 10 year 1,000,000 power train warranty. However, what will that warranty do for you if the car strands you for 5 days 1000 miles from home while you wait for the transmission to be repaired?

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  Dont - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By LS - June 17 - 9:45 pm

  I got this car for my 16th birthday with about 40k on it. Immediately, we had to replace the computer in it, as well as the ignition switch. Then the brakes went out. Then I had a leak in my engine coolant (too expensive to repair at the time- $800++, and still unfixed). Then the catalytic converter. Then the fuel pump. Then the brakes again. Then the theft system shorted out. Then the ignition switch again. Now, the computer is acting up again... I have to reset the computer each time before I start it. It only has 96k on it now. We have spent at least $5k in repairs on this car. Probably more. My dad just bought a new Malibu, and it seems nice though. Time will tell. I wont buy 1.

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  Love it - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jim - June 17 - 8:45 pm

  Overall great purchase. Got 33.5 MPG on first trip over mountains to New England states. 26.4 around town. Handles well, pickup great for 4 cylinder, had Corolla 4 cylinder which had no guts. Power seats with lumbar support is great for my aching back and eases pain on long trips. Like the top of the dashboard compartment for storing EZ-Pass box and sun glasses. XM is great...will sign on for that and ON STAR after subscription ends. Got the Gold Mist exterior and Cocoa interior and I get a lot of compliments on its overall looks. Wife wants one too. Hers is an 07 Malibu. We are the "KEN AND BARBY MAILBU" couple. Great value for the money.