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:

• 

  I love my HHR 2LT 2.4 - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Irene - May 7 - 6:06 pm

  We purchased my 2008 HHR used, it had 25,000 miles on it. Have not had any major issues. Just had a few minor bugs. I must have a lighter foot than some in rural and city driving I avg 26 mpg and on the highway I avg 32. I traded a Mazda 626 in I was looking for another Mazda but was none in stock. Glad I made the switch GM got me back after 20 yrs of owning Dodge and Mazda. I am thinking of going to the SS HHR.

• 

  No more Chevys for me - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Lonnie Griffin - May 7 - 3:01 pm

  My driving and ownership experience has been terrible. It has been in the shop at least ten times for different issues. Some of the same issues with a 2000 Chevy pickup I bought new ten years ago it had a knocking engine and Chevy still has the same issues for example, down shift hard bump in transmission, noise in steering column, defective door locks, interior noise around the dash area, bad cam in motor replaced, wind noise, popping noise when turning to left or right sometimes, battery went bad, broken door weld replaced and so on I have to stop. Issues like this should not happen to a $30,000 vehicle for years.

• 

  Original Owner - 2nd review, No Regrets - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By Paul C. - May 7 - 2:24 pm

  Our Venture is our weekend and family road/vacation use vehicle. After having owned our Silver WBE Venture for over 9 years now for over 58K miles, overall no regrets though weve had some minor problems. Most were fixed under the 3 year original GM warranty, mainly the leaking intake manifold. The roof still leaks occasionally at the overhead trip computer/compass though not all the time. This was supposedly fixed way back by the dealer under warranty but its occurred again lately. 1 of the rear power windows does not open fully. 3 of the tires are still the orginal FR 680 Firestones, plan to replace at 70K. Otherwise the paint and finish is like new, still drives and handles great.

• 

  2008 Z06 is a winner! - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By C6YelowZ06 - May 7 - 1:12 pm

  I love this car! I have had 4 back fusions and triple neck fusion and this fits like a glove. It is hard to get in and out of at 55 but once in it, I hate to get out. It is truly an amazing automobile, especially for the money. I have yet to have it over 155 but I cant wait. It performed very well on a NASCAR track, I cant tell you which one, obviously, but it was unbelievable going into a corner at 150 and the "G meter" shows only .6! I was too afraid to put it into the wall, plus my tires had 4500 miles on them. With sticky rubber, I think it could have gone into the corner at 175 but I am too old for that. WOW, you have to get one of these before you die!

• 

  My little car - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By rachel - May 6 - 10:40 pm

  I bought my prizm in 06 when it was 5 years old. It runs like a champ! The only time its in the shop is for an oil change or new tires. The only parts giving out are minor and probably due to age. The plastic trim around the windows has become brittle, the door handles on the drivers side have both snapped, cruise control has stopped working and the drivers side window motors have worn out. Low and medium air conditioner are out, but it still cranks cold on high and the heater works great. Ive been teasing with the idea of a new car because of the great deals available, but my little car is still driving great and Im not ready to give it up! I think Ill invest in it instead!

• 

  Smooth ride - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By carol - May 6 - 8:30 pm

  I just purchased my Malibu last week. The car handles great, is comfortable, and everything i have read about the Malibu so far has been true. Warning: do not purchase the spoiler. The spoiler is about $350 and is a small 2- 3 inch lip added to the top of the trunk. I wanted to "Sport Up" a little, and found out the hard way that this spoiler is not the way to do it. If you want a sporty look, go to a specialty shop. GM should be ashamed to call this a spoiler. Otherwise, i love the car. I just wish there were sportier options, like the original Malibus with the white stripes down the hood, top and trunk.

• 

  If you have to own a truck this is it. - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By THEDOM - May 6 - 2:23 pm

  This vehicle has been nothing short of great. Its dependable and looks great. The only problem I ever had was the front bearings at 92k. Im ready to purchase another soon and looking forward to another great vehicle

• 

  No one ever writes anything positive - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Melissa - May 6 - 1:23 pm

  Overall this has been a great car for me, driven cross country numerous times (Florida to Wisconsin/Wisconsin-Florida) at least 10 round-trips. Traveling for job (1500 miles/week). In its later years, some more maintenance issues, but with a little prevention, and well cared for it can go. In the 5 years Ive owned it, have put $1500 into the car for repairs outside of general maintenance.

• 

  Great Car considering its cost: - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Steve - May 6 - 12:13 pm

  Ok Ive read enough about the negatives of this car. 5/2010 mine is 15 yrs old has 162K miles & other than mostly normal wear/tear/maintenance like oil, tires, anti-freeze, battery, brakes, belts, hoses, trans flush, plugs/wires, fuel filter, light bulbs its a great value for what it cost. I get mpg around 20 city/30 highway. A few "Out of the norm repairs", AC compressor, Rack-n-Pinion steering, power window motors, one wheel bearing, broken side mirror. Honestly other than a few cracks in the plastic trim, worn seat belts & a little hesitation in acceleration from age this has been a joy to own.

• 

  Wheel bearings - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By 2006 pontiac montana - May 6 - 8:49 am

  Cant keep wheel bearing - 5 since Oct. another needs replacement.Transmission trouble. Its a 2006 Pontiac Montana - same as Uplander.