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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  GOOD Car, "SOFT" rims, BAD sound system - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Vic - April 19 - 5:13 pm

  I have almost 21K miles on it and I still like it. My wife likes the interior so when our lease for the 2004 Malibu was up we bought the 2008 model. It is not perfect but our dealer takes care of our complains promptly - minor like door striker misalignment and wrinkle door seal. The engine has sufficient power but has an audible drone when driving about 80mph, nice and quite at 70 mph. Two things I do not like in this car. (1) the sound produced by the oem stereo system in my 2001 Cavalier is generations better than the 2008 Malibu. (2) the steel wheel rims seems to bend easily. I had two of the rims repaired in two years - never happened in my Cavalier (9yrs), nor in the other Malibu (4yrs)

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  Oil Consumption Issues - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Nailhead - April 19 - 4:56 pm

  This vehicle has excessive oil consumption issues. Google "2007 Suburban Oil Consumption" Chevrolet is giving those of us still in warranty the run-a-round or telling us 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles is normal usage.

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  Happy with the car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By 2005 Chevy Cobalt - April 19 - 12:06 pm

  We bought this car with 27,000 miles on it and now it has 90,000+. The car has been great for us, as we have had absolutely no problems. It is a lot more fun to drive than the other economy cars. Ours is fairly loaded with the bigger tires and alloy wheels, and the spoiler. We still get compliments on the appearance of the car. Our city MPG averages about 24, and we get about 30 in the highway.

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  Very Reliable - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By James J - April 18 - 9:19 pm

  Ive had this car for 6 years and have had no major problems. Expected minor repairs all done myself. Wheel bearings, water pump, power steering pump. All routine repairs as far as Im concerned over the course of ten years. Car is very easy and cheap to work on. 155,000 miles on it and Id take it anywhere. In fact i recently drove it from Phoenix to Ohio and back. No doubt itll make it at least another 100,000 mi. Drive train is very durable. Also, some expected interior issues. 2 window regulators (phoenix heat and plastic gears dont mesh), hazard switch, bad window switch.Again, all routine and easy repairs. I never recommend buying a high mileage used chevy. Scheduled Maint. is a must.

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  One of the Best Vehicles Ive Ever Owned - 2010 Chevrolet HHR
  By VictorySpeedway - April 18 - 7:17 am

  I ordered a 2010 HHR SS with the AA5 (no rear quarter windows), sound system, performance package. I am blown away by the performance. Itll do 150 mph. Ive had it up to 118, and it wasnt even breathing hard. It handles "as if on rails." Seats are very comfortable, even on long trips, and I make many of those. It has enough space for all my equipment. Sound system is good, not great. I would install a custom stereo system on my next vehicle. The factory tires are wearing like iron. But the best feature of all is the mileage - Im averaging 28.5 mpg. All in all, it is almost the perfect vehicle.

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  Cool mini van thats not a mini van! - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By dustin - April 18 - 2:20 am

  Growing family. Researched Odyssey, Sienna, Acadia, Enclave. Chevy has done an exceptional job melding family car practicality and economy with cool car styling and pep together into one. My wife and I LOVE driving it, kids seem happy too. Traverse is the perfect fit for us based on style, comfort options and cost. "Like a minivan buts its not", is the best way to put it. Had to punch it while merging to avoid a big rig there was no problem, lots of pep, even felt sporty. Excellent safety! extremely low road noise even with the dual sunroofs. Bose sound system is totally worth your dollar. The DVD system is awesome, keeps the kiddos so happy on the road. It felt good to buy American.

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  Best theyve ever been - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Vette4Life - April 17 - 8:56 pm

  This car is absolutely breathtaking. The performance so far outclasses any other domestic performance car. Mustangs, SRT8s, Trans Ams, big block Olds 442s and Buick Gran Sport 455s, Ive owned them all and NONE come close to a new Corvette. 0-60 in 4.1 seconds, quarter mile in 12.1 and a top speed of 190 mph prove what a super car this is. Mine is stripped down for lighter weight, only a 1LT, F55, NPP car but I love it. I will always have a Corvette going forward. Im only sorry that i waited until I was 50 to get it!

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  Satisfied - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By ouchy89 - April 17 - 8:42 pm

  Bought my 1999 venture ls ext with 90,000 miles on it, about 8 years ago. It has 238,000 now. The last year has been spendy for repairs. Mass air flow sensor, window switches, multifunction switch, taillight circuit board, water pump, battery. At 146,000 miles had the lower intake manifold gaskets done. Otherwise just maintenance and normal wear and tear on the ext. And int. Very happy with the van. Yes, it has rust starting and many things are broken like all the turn knobs for the seats, rear air, overhead console, cup holders, but it still runs like a top.

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  Money Sucker - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By impala7 - April 17 - 8:04 pm

  Had this car 10 years. The big problem at first was rotors. Nothing but problems since day 1. Then it was gasket seal recall. Then it was electrical. Then at about 65,000 transmission. Now its u-joints and rattles in car like its falling apart. The last few years its been in the shop a lot. Put over $6000 into it in last 24 months. Time to buy a different make. Been a Chevy guy all my life and bought 7 new cars. All had problems except the cavalier. Stuck very little in to them. Looking at Ford next.

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  Will Miss My Tahoe - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By SR Cordell - April 17 - 2:06 pm

  Purchased new in 02 and just gave to my son with 180k miles on it. Maintenance items were normal wear items with very little in major repairs. I Normally trade my cars at 100K miles but liked the Tahoe so much I held onto it for 180k miles. Miles were road miles not around town. 18 MPG highway when new, and just checked at 180K and still gets 18 MPG highway. Turning radius is incredible, comfort is excellent, ride is "car-like", still looks like a new car. Best all-around vehicle I have owned. Will purchase another when GM doesnt stand for "Government Motors".