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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  Nice Looking Monte SS but...Theres room for Improvement - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By carguy310 - March 8 - 8:41 am

  Bought my 03 Monte Carlo SS used in August 2010 with 113K miles. One owner car before I acquired it. Never been hit or wrecked. Was well maintained. A/C wasnt working when I got it so I had to replace the A/C compressor right away due to leaky seals. Less than a month after purchase goes by, engine went bad at 114K miles. It needed a complete rebuild due to a gasket leak allowing the fluid to run into the cylinders & caused a rod to go bad. A couple of interior buttons & dash lights are blown. The fan speed dial does not work on 1 at times but works on 2-5 with no issues. The body has a tiny wee bit of rust on it. Mostly on the fuel door(outside) and the doors (inside).

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  Got my moneys worth - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CEL - March 6 - 4:10 pm

  I bought car new and have put 166,000 miles on it in 7 years. The engine (2.8l) and transmission are great for what I paid. Have lived with 1and 2 blower speeds out and A/C kicking on/off for last few years. Twice I have had to have fuel pump replaced (in tank!). But overall I have gotten my moneys worth.

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  A fun car - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By ss355 - March 6 - 3:15 pm

  Bought mine with 8 miles on the clock. Now has over 165K. Its been a fun car to drive. A few quirks, certainly, but overall Ive really enjoyed the car. Not 96 Supra Turbo fast, but certainly enough ummph to get on the highway with no trouble and impress a few teenagers. Fantastic car for the highway. Plenty of room for the whole family. Large trunk. Reasonable back road performance, given the 4000+ lb. curb weight. The air pump (emissions control) and water pump have been headaches, but otherwise a fairly reliable car. Plan to drive this one till it drops.

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  Chevrolet Fun with Satellite Radio - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Nancy Harrington - March 6 - 2:13 am

  Its full of pep. I like its (red) look. Subwoofer in trunk. I especially think it was clever of someone to design a foot rest near the driver door (to the left of brake pedal).

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  Dependable - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By John Gordon - March 5 - 11:57 pm

  have gotten up to 35 mpg per tankful on some roads. Has been dependable and very low cost to maintain.

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  A comfortable vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By arnold hilde - March 5 - 8:26 pm

  We bought this vehicle during the summer. The A/C worked very well, we enjoyed driving it a lot. We were disappointed in the traction and handling in the snow of northern Minnesota.

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  The best car in its class - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By jegan - March 5 - 3:46 pm

  For anyone who needs a dependable car, that is comfortable to be in, with nice creature comforts this is it. I have over 100K on mine and it runs and drives like a brand new one. It is fast and powerful, yet I still average 28 mpg on road trips. It still looks great with classic Chevy styling. No major work needed. My 17 year old daughter loves to drive it, and my 68 year old mother loves it too. It has mass appeal. So glad I did not buy a Camry! It has held up so well.

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  Over 200000 and going strong - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lee - March 4 - 11:46 pm

  I bought this truck used in 2000 with 20,000 miles with the 4.8l and currently have 211,000 miles. Mechanically I have had no problems except for fuel pump 1200 dollars to fix 145,000 miles. And sun shell in transmission breaking at 180,000 miles. Engine still running strong and still getting 18-19 mpg. Not fond of the shaky drive which I had since day one, dealer said there was no problem. Still waiting to do 2nd brake job, great brake life. Not fond of the cheapness of the interior. But I know I can easily get to 300,000 miles. Strong engine.

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  Its a mini-car. - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Zippy - March 4 - 12:10 am

  When gas went up, wife and I bought the yellow LT hatch. We wanted sunroof, ABS and fog lamps. We couldnt find one with all 3, so we settled w/ sunroof and ABS. We got the 5S since this engine needs every gear. Its cramped and underpowered but handles like a skate. With the back seat folded, the hatch has plenty of space. Its a very good commuter. South Korea has built a quality package for Chevy.

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  Not bad - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By divo006 - March 1 - 9:55 pm

  I bought my 2004 ZQ8 a couple months ago. I was rather iffy about it since it was only 2wd and winter coming. I like the fact that Im one of few with the 3.5L I5. Its a quick little truck and the gas mileage aint too bad either considering I drive 60 miles or so a day. If you want something to use as utility I wouldnt recommend this truck, but as for small jobs its perfect. I haul my quads and what not no problem. Interior could use a little work. Exteriors not bad..flashy. Rides a little rough.