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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  Love love love my Chevy Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By julie - May 14 - 8:25 pm

  I bought my Chevy Impala SS new and I love it. I did have some problems right after I bought it with something in the steering column which I must admit was very frustrating but this car has started every day for the last 6 years without fail. It has definite power when called upon. This car is a great car and I plan on driving it for many years to come!

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  Great car, annoying problems - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Cass - May 14 - 8:20 pm

  We bought this car used and it was in really good condition, It had 22k on it and now has 60k. We have experienced the rotor shudder but took it to a brake shop and had a successful resolution. Luckily we have not had the leak issue, but recently had the gear selector not engage properly to release the key which is now on acc until I can fix the problem. So we love the comfort, gas mileage, sporty handling and great acceleration. Cup holders inadequate for those of you who commute, the window buttons and blind spots took some getting used to but the annoying little problems that cost money that are totally unnecessary if GM could get their quality and design quirks worked out and dealers on board

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  Good Truck - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By TFA - May 14 - 7:23 pm

  Truck has been very dependable and has done very well hauling loads and the family on long trips.

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  Not the quailty I would have hoped for - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By skybaby - May 14 - 1:49 pm

  My car ran great for the first year or so. Now so far Ive had three blown head gaskets. Two new heater cores, and one new water pump. And now. It doesnt want to start.

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  First empressions - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By flyby991@gmail.com - May 14 - 4:11 am

  Chevy got it right for once, a quality car and not a cheap knock off. I first drove the new mustang and it felt like my arms were too short, with the Camaro you dont have reach for the wheel. the power is incredible, it may be a bit tall geared but the motor makes up for that. The low end torque is good but the motor really wakes up from 4k on. It has the feel of the old muscle cars, which I thought the government too away long ago. American iron is back!

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  Great value! - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By ME - May 13 - 5:51 pm

  I just traded my sport truck off for the vehicle for reliability and for the three kids, I am impressed with it a lot better than the $30k Uplander that GM bought back from us last year because of major problems! The Traverse handles good, lots of power, rides like a truck with the 18s and sets high for pride ha,ha gas mileage is not what I expected we get about 20 mpg avg I think it will be better when I put synthetics in the engine after first oil change. And I wish we would of got the LT2 with entertainment package and the 2nd row captains chairs for the kids but all in all its a great replacement for a minivan, for people like me with pride, no more guys doing the minivan walk of shame!

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  Paint bubbling not covered by warranty - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mollyj - May 13 - 4:13 pm

  Really love the 2008 Equinox but on a trip this winter, the computer burned up and at that time we noticed three bubbles on the hood. When we returned home we pointed out the bubbles to our dealer and he said it was not covered under warranty. If warranty states bumper to bumper, doesnt that include paint.

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  I love my car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By socalqt - May 13 - 2:14 pm

  My 1997 Chevy Cavalier was my very first car, and I havent looked back. Its sporty, small, and gets AMAZING gas mileage. A friend and I drove to San Francisco from Los Angeles on one tank of gas and it only costs $40.00 to fill the tank! I bought it at 72,000 miles and Im up to 103,000+ with little to no problems. No serious mechanical issues so far, the interior kind of fell apart (mostly the previous owners fault). Im so happy with my car, shes my baby. Shes been so good to be and I couldnt be happier!

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  LTZ owner - 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Roy - May 12 - 9:41 pm

  This is my second avalanche going from a 2002 to a 2009. More bells and whistles but the performance is better in the 02.Some short changes on the 09 are sun visors 02 had 2 on each side,09 has one per side. No extenders on the 09,two on 02. Only one light in bed area, 02 had one on each side. 09 is air tight when doors are closed radio and nav are excellent. 02 still in family only different driver. Now has 90,000 miles on 02 and never been back to the dealer. Hope the 09 proves this good.

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  Engine Problems x3 in 6 months - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By nomoregm - May 12 - 8:12 pm

  Bought my 2007 Impala with 53,000 miles 6mo ago. Forth time having it serviced and only at 63,000. PCM failed after 4 months which hydrolocked my engine. Hydrolock caused fuel injectors to go and a bent piston. Had my car back for 24 hours after 2nd fix of engine problems and engine light is back on. GM unwilling to help any further. This was my first GM product and my LAST.. Owned a 1999 Dodge for 160,000 miles and no where near the problems I have experienced in just 10,000 miles with my Impala.