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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  When does it end - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Disgruntled - March 25 - 9:04 am

  The Impala is not fit because it has too many problems. It is good on gas and the ride is alright on the highway for long trips but. Not recognizing the key therefore the car wont start and having to the wait for the computer to shut down 12-15 mins is not right. Approx $1100 to fix, then intake manifold gasket leaking which the coolant can eventually leak into the eng $1000, brakes never seem to be good, fix at dealer with minimal cost but eventually did a whole new brake job, muffler pipe has a crack, lower control arm bushings left and right needs to be replaced, now head gasket dealer $2200, private shop $1400 and eng rebuilt at priv shop $2400. I only have $155k when does it end.

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  Whiplashing Fun & Stylish - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Candlgrl768 - March 24 - 10:39 pm

  I absolutely LOVE my Mean Green Machine- "Synergy" OMG heads turn all the time, actually got pulled over by a State Trooper just to check it out. Included.. Sunroof, upgraded Stereo, Rear Spoiler & added Gauge cluster the only thing missing from this model is the leather seating. I would definitely recommend to anyone whos hesitating. Its a great car!

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  Amazing - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Bolt - March 24 - 8:56 pm

  Just Wow Greatest car I ever have I bought it used at miles 69,842 in aug 12,2006 now I drove alots at times now the mileage is 130,000 it never breaks yet yaall hear me? nothing breaks I will always keep it forever I drive 600,000+forever I love this trailblazer I name it (Little Buddy)

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  A Decade of Fun!! - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By camaromom2000 - March 24 - 6:22 am

  I have had this car for 10 years, Picked it up for a song and have been singing a happy tune ever since.I have the Mystic Teal paint and the color still blows me away, right along with how well this car still handles after all these years. Aside from replacing one fuel pump, this car has had NO major mechanical issues. Been extremely reliable!

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  very disapointed - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sapman33 - March 23 - 10:49 pm

  I bought this with 14k on it. I got a great deal until I realized the problems that developed. Just like other reviewers I had problems with the gas gauge, and then the trans when out at 70k. I dont pull anything and my wife drives the car so there is no hot rodding. Im very disappointed in this car. Of course the next year they offered 7/100k warranty. Bad model year (2006) stay away from this car.

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  couldnt be better - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jimn - March 23 - 10:49 pm

  Bought 2004 cavalier in 2005 from courier company I drove it for. After 13 months it had 108,000 miles, all highway driving 160 miles each way. Outstanding service records and maintenance. Paid 2250 for it with 60% tires, can you say stole it. Wife drives daily at 30 plus per mile. Have taken on several 800 to 1000 mile trips mileage as high as 38.5

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  LTZ - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By park9properties - March 23 - 9:00 pm

  Very nice truck. They blew alot of wasted space that could be used for storage, ie rear doors and third seating area. Also the drivers door has been out of alignment since day one. They have fixed it twice but no luck. I have only averaged 16.4 on the highway. I have just noticed a small amount of oil on the garage floor. I still cant bel. they cant perfect the 3 rd row seat storage. Break your back moving it in and out.

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  2008 Corvette Convertible - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By cleo299 - March 23 - 8:22 pm

  Amazing car - impressive acceleration and handling when driven hard. Smooth and quiet when driven soft. Surprisingly good fuel economy - 23-25 mpg. Good trunk space - even with the top down. Low cost insurance. Zero problems after 24K miles.

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  so far so good - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By scotty - March 23 - 7:57 pm

  Have put on 10000km so far on this car.Bought it used at 50000km. All in all its a great car, only issue so far is water in the headlight and squeaky front brakes, The tranny shifts rough sometimes. It will be interesting what the long term reliability of this car will be. great ride great gas mileage, 4 cyl works perfect. i wanted a turn key operation kinda car and so far so good.

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  Z71 Off Road - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Hunter - March 23 - 6:43 pm

  We absolutely love our Tahoe!! We bought it in November 2009 knowing it had a few problems from the previous owners neglect. But after maintenance and repair, it runs fantastic!! I would definitely recommend this truck to anyone looking for a full sized SUV.