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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  new SUV to replace worn out Mini-van - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By jtbea - March 13 - 2:47 am

  tired of tired mini-van with no towing capacity... but loved the 3 rows of seats and DVD player and gas mileage of van. Happened upon the traverse and happily traded in. Added on everything but sunroof and backup camera...even 2-tone leather seating. Wife loves it and kids love it... and Dad doesnt mind driving it either!

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  No wonder GM is losing ground - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By UNHAPPY - March 13 - 12:21 am

  I own a 2003 Trailblazer. Started out great, until about a year ago when the ring and pinion gears went out. Had that replaced and now its in the shop and wont start. Thinking it has something to do with the theft deterrent system, even though Im no thief, Im the owner. I have put more money in this vehicle in a weeks time than what one months payment amounted up to. No wonder chevy claims to be like a rock, if you dont have them towed they seem to sit in the same spot like a rock. Will be the last I ever buy, if you dont believe me just google chevy trailblazer starting problems and see for yourself. Soon as it is up and running its getting traded for a Nissan/Toyota!

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  I dread the day it dies - 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Steve G - March 12 - 3:10 pm

  Bought new in 1995, this vehicle has displayed unbelievable reliability. At 220,000 miles, it has seen many of my friends cars, foreign and domestic, sputter to an early expensive grave. Running costs are astoundingly cheap, even considering the unimpressive gas mileage. I had the transmission rebuilt at about 150,000, but thats the only major repair. I drive it cross-country with complete confidence. Its easy to speed on the highway as the ride is so comfortable and the power readily available. While the dash is made of hard, cheap plastic, the gray cloth seats are indestructible, with no stains or rips. I hope it lasts many more years, as I dont see any affordable reliable replacement.

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  Consider this car - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By pghdrumr - March 12 - 2:42 pm

  I came from a honda, and I was VERY surprised at the quality that GM is producing. The car rides very smooth and quiet. The remote starter, power seats, bluetooth, sunroof all included in a super deal. Look for lots of incentives from the dealer, and plan to pay way less that sticker price. What an excellent deal for a new car with so many great features

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  Worst Car I Ever Had!! - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By browndawg - March 12 - 2:40 pm

  This car looks great and is fun to drive but dont let that fool you. This car has been nothing but trouble since day one. The engine started to idle rough. The dealer told me "that is what a performance vehicle feels like". Sorry to say ...I dont think so! Would you be happy with a corvette idling rough? Well this is the same engine!! Then it started to fall apart. Door trims, molding, undercarriage rust (never seen snow, I live in L.A.) Then the transmission went immediately followed by the ignition switch and now again the transmission less than 3 weeks later. GM/Chevy has not been stand up either. I am GM family! Not willing to help or offer to buy back. Dont buy this or any Chevrolet!

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  A freaking amazing car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Chevy4life - March 11 - 11:04 pm

  I am a ASE certified Automotive Mechanic so please do not brush me off. This car is a simple yet elegant car that i push to the breaking point every day and its probably in my garage right now laughing at me saying is that all youve got? It needs a few improvements like power windows and about another 40 HP couldnt hurt rither it gets me where i need to go and i know from experience i will probably own this car for the next 10 years at least

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  Decade Van - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Daisy - March 11 - 9:08 pm

  Bought used (9 mo. old) w/14k miles. Initial problem: A/C had funny smell when used 1st time each spring. Very roomy. Love the features incl. elec. pkg seating for 8 2 built-in child seats. Had it now exactly 10 years. Issues with automatic door lock - was a recall issue. Pretty reliable given weve put 100,000 mi on it. Good family vehicle. 10 day Family trip (1200 mi ea way) last summer with no problems. over the years we have done only handful of repairs (water pump, manifold gasket,belt tension gear) Left rear tail light bulb out every 3 mths drivers airbag light intermittently on Our other car is a CAMRY -- which we LOVE

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  1.5 year review - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Matthew505 - March 11 - 2:46 pm

  I have had this car since 4/08. A few comments: The bad- she hates the snow here in Chicago. Handles well driving, but be prepared to shovel or use traction pads when parallel parking with over 5 inches on the ground. The smaller tires, very low power+ low to the ground= tough parking. Other issues: small tires treads will pick up every stone in the road. You will hear them when the windows are down- annoying. Good: only maintenance done outside of oil was a brake job around 14K miles. Rotors rusted. Only drive about 15 miles a day, but lots of stop and go. Overall, not a bad car. Wanted cheap car, got one that works. Bought an aftermarket radio and speakers, so all is well with the commute.

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  Great car - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Drew - March 10 - 7:38 pm

  Ive had my beretta for a little less than a year now. i have had all kinds of things go wrong with the car but i dont care, i still love it and since im a mechanic i plan to keep it until the rust takes out the floor and i gotta use it like a flintstones car. The engine is strong and the comfort is great for a compact car, the only thing that should be different about the car is the fact that the car isnt made anymore

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  Best Truck I have ever owned! - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Bman-Colorado - March 10 - 4:14 pm

  I bought this truck in December 2007 and have just eclipsed 25K. I honestly wake up every day excited that I get to drive it:~). I have put a few modifications on it such as the performance air intake, Magnaflo exhaust as well as a superchip (which, believe it or not improved my gas mileage). Last summer i bought an Coleman E3 pop- up trailer and was amazed how easy it hauled! I have taken it 4wheeling and it does superbly [i now wish i had a skid plate:~)] As to the fuel economy: I bought a truck! It has an engine that equates to a Chevy 350! I did not or do not expect to get 15mpg. (with the superchip however i have received 16.5 in the city and 21 on the highway) GREAT TRUCK!