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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  Sold it as quickly as I could - 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By joe billyhill - June 13 - 3:42 pm

  In 1998 I saw a used 1992 Z24 for $10K w/15K miles on it. I figured it would be a deal. I got it at a dealership and an extended warranty with it. The problems started immediately with the heater core going out. When changing the oil antifreeze was present so they changed the head gasket, That didnt work so they replaced the water pump. It started blowing water through the head gasket so they took it apart, told me they determined the head was warped and placed the blame on me. I called the service manager on the carpet for than but got nowhere. The 3.1 V6 is notoriously a pig and underpowered as well as having coolant problems. 3rd gear went out in the auto trans. What a jalopy.

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  Second followup - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Walkabout - June 13 - 2:04 pm

  Millage between 12 and 16 thousand miles. Nor-Cal to Mass, optional V-6. Still very happy with everything. Gas MPG was way up on whole trip. One day across Wyoming got 29.2 MPG. Most other days MPG was between 24.5 and 28.5 at 75+ MPH. No problems at all. I need to get front end "Bra" as the front of the car takes a beating with road objects flying into you causing paint divots. GM and LaBra dont offer them. Oil changes, tire rotations have been at 7500 miles each with around 24% oil life left. The car climbs highway hills with no problem, cruise manages that well including gas mileage. Cruise memory can get overloaded sometimes just reset and your ok. Great long trip car the best for 2 or 4

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  Like it a lot! - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jojodancer - June 12 - 3:17 pm

  Interior could use some spicing up, it handles very well, kinda BAD on gas averaging 19.5 mpg (city & highway)but I guess that comes with those SS badges. Very fun to drive! Did have some issues with the intake manifold gaskets, be sure to have them checked out b4 purchase or be SURE to get an extended warranty that covers gaskets and other small inside of the engine parts.

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  Buyer Beware - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By michaellrar - June 12 - 11:08 am

  Bought it for the "fun factor" and was disappointed. It has massive blind spots. Also thought I purchased new and the dealership sold me a demo and did not tell me. Found out after I got my papers in the mail. The controls for the window are in an unsafe place (they have since fixed that I heard). The drink cup holders are a joke at best. I am a big guy so the seat belts take an act of congress to fasten. And did I mention the wimpy armrest that points down when lowered. The tires have the constant tire pressure monitoring system so I am constantly refilling the tires. Needless to say I only drive it about 6,000 miles per year and that is when my daily driver (a 2002 honda civic) is being serviced.

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  Dont BUY!! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jabbab - June 12 - 10:35 am

  I bought my 2004 Aveo back in 07, was a good car and great millage. That said, if the timing belt goes, or, in my case, the pulley, youre stuck. The timing belt is worthless in this vehicle, and if it goes, and you drive on that, just for a foot or two, you vales, engine, everything is destroyed! Do not buy this vehicle. It looks cute on the outside but is crap on the inside especially the engine!

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  First 1 ive owned after driving several - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By little joe - June 11 - 10:26 pm

  Most of the variations of the impalas Ive driven have been very good and dependable. The one I have just bought recently seems to be very dependable. It has been well maintained other than rock chips all over the hood, (former owners lived on a dirt and gravel road). It has a lot of miles, mostly long distance highway travel. The paint seems to be original and other than being enamel instead of lacquer, it has a quality paint job. The interior is very pleasing to the eye, except for the carpet. The exterior and steering wheel that should be a dark Gray or black color. Id buy all I could find of them if I could afford to (most would be used for passenger transportation in a shuttle business).

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  The Hippo - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By Army Strong - June 11 - 2:40 pm

  Yes, it is excellent on gas, and I drove 3,000 miles in 4 days and it went the distance, but I think it was definitely pushing it. Its not an SUV, I think my passenger hubcap is about to fall off. The stock tires are bad even new. Theyre dangerous to drive on windy days. The bulky frame of the car with such small Windows leaves enormous blind spots especially on left turns. There was no carpet in the back storage area for mine, so with even the slowest turns, everything sled around. The brakes are absolutely horrible! Theres a huge delay and they squeak like crazy. And the intake is a little noisy.

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  98 cavilier 4dr - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Joe - June 11 - 12:06 am

  I have recently come to own a cavalier. Now Im no stranger to understanding a good car from a bad one, and this one is certainly on the downer list. I can respectfully say deigned interior well, decent on gas. But lacks in power and suspension is weak. Car wasnt abused too badly but will look to get rid of this horrible lil car as soon as possible. I do not recommend this car to anyone. These cars were designed poorly. For a 4 dr it should have more power so that when you do have passengers it doesnt sound like the engine has to work so hard. Driver and maybe one passenger, thats it.

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  White one - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By landiran - June 10 - 5:26 pm

  I got a 99 suburban ls White. I got it in 06 with 120,000 miles. At first I hated this truck, it was in the shop often. So far intake gasket, 2 fuel pumps, water pump, fuel injection system, and brakes both rear and front. I just thought it was an older truck in need of some TLC. I was right now that the list of things have been done 2 it, it runs like a champ and now has 192,000 miles on it. I dont plan to ever get rid of it. I will always drive a suburban, wouldnt have it any other way. Whatever breaks I hope I can afford to fix it.

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  This Truck - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ashlie - June 10 - 11:33 am

  I bought this truck almost brand new in 2006. Within 2 months the struts went out. Then the radiator then to top it all off for no reason I had to get a new motor in 2009. I dont understand how one truck can have so many problems. I dont understand how people are so happy with this truck.