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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  my cool colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By John - March 6 - 7:44 pm

  I bought my colorado with 43K miles from an auction. I really like it allot. I have a lower than usual RWD pick-up truck with a stock sport suspension and stock 17s so the ride is pretty.....well....sporty! I can say one thing, when this car is on the freeway going about 65 mph. you cant even feel it. Its very smooth, even though the acceleration is pretty darn right lazy for a 5 cyl. engine. Engine and transmission is a charm, good job GM (general motors). I love this truck, looks good and does the job. I can even use it as a family car since I have the crew cab. 5 adults can ride comfortably, and there is no problem putting a baby chair in the back.

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  Only 1 Regret... - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Joey G - March 6 - 6:31 pm

  cant afford the ZR1... yet. ive had the car for over 3 years and approaching 50K miles and aside from the noisy roof, clutch pack replacement for the "diff," leaking water pump and dead battery - all taken care of during the warranty period - this car is solid as a rock! Its my DD - still enjoy driving it as well as looking at it in the garage.

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  HHR good but needs improvements - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By star5838 - March 6 - 5:33 pm

  I bought my HHR in 2008. It really does get 30-32 MPG highway. It is very versatile and easy to drive. You get a lot of nice features for your money. I drive 400-500 miles per week so I spend a lot of time in mine.

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  Best Value Car & Model - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ARoubik - March 6 - 3:41 pm

  This car surpassed my expectations. Save your money, buy the LS. The power is modest, but its plenty to get up and go. I didnt care much for the 6-speed LT1+ models. A V6 would be great, but the only ones available were fully loaded (too expensive!). The cabin is very quiet and the car handles great. The only things I dont like about the car is the trunk opening - its deep and wide, but you cant fit much through the gap. Drivers seat position and adjustment is a bit odd, but you get use to it. The steering wheel is also quite large and heavy. Other than that, its a great car. I like it much more than my 09 Camry.

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  Automotive Atrocity - 2008 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Steve - March 5 - 11:06 pm

  This vehicle is an embarrassment to GM. Its hard to believe it comes from the same company that brought us the Corvette. Interior design and utility is horrific. I have 2 kids, both in car seats. My kids have no leg room at all. I literally cannot use the 3rd row, as there is no way to get to it. Try hanging a jacket on the hook! You cant reach the hook from the sliding door, and you have to CRAWL INTO THE BACK to reach it from the rear! Ours has a roof console that Ive hit my head on many times. This car is a real head-scratcher, and I wonder how it was ever cleared by GM for public consumption. It clearly was not evaluated for everyday usability by families before its release.

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  Passenger side Power window - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Wykke - March 5 - 7:35 pm

  After purchasing my 2009 traverse, I noticed the passenger side Power window going up slower than the other windows, also making a groaning sound as if it might not make it all the way closed. I took it to dealer and they said it was the power regulator and that they would order one. When it came in, I had the regulator rplaced. This did not help the problem. I went back and this time they said that the window was out of alignment and they aligned and lubed it. This still did not help they problem so I took it back again. this time, they said that it was normal for the window to operate slower and make a moaning noise. I still have the problem and will let my lawyer solve the problem.

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  Junk - Chevy should recall - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jim - March 5 - 5:36 pm

  Wow. Reading thru the unhappy reviews is like reading thru our own list of needed repairs that we cant afford. Gas gauge, check engine light, cv- joint, and on, and on, and on. The list keeps growing. We get one thing fixed and something else goes wrong. My husband travels extensively for work and needs a reliable car. This sure isnt it but we cant afford to trade right now.

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  Best Value on the Road - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Kristi Fuller - March 5 - 1:12 pm

  Although I just purchased this car I can say that it is confirming all of the research that I did on it before hand. In comparison to the other sedans in its category and price range it really beat them in terms of the reviews that I read and the safty crash ratings. My husband and I were looking for something new, affordable and safe to drive for years ahead. He and I will be putting alot of mileage on it between working and school. We also wanted something safe for the kids when we dont take them in the family minivan. We bought the most basic version of this model and there is nothing cheap or basic about it. You also cant beat the warranties on it.

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  Love this car! - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By JB - March 5 - 9:30 am

  Terrific handling quick response plenty of cargo space for a one month visit across country. Weve driven this car 2500 miles from Midwest to FL and back, 20 mpg. City mpg is 16. Console between front seats is problematic. Any plug into cigarette lighter blocks easy access to to cup holders. Rear view for backing is not good. Rear blind spots too big. We dont have that rear view option, but a friend who has one in his 2009 Traverse says he doesnt use it.

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  Its 3/5/2010 and I have driven+236,000m - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jeremy - March 5 - 12:36 am

  On 3/5/2010 I have driven 236,000 plus miles in this car. Over 22K/yr. I have had to do some maintenance but nothing more than usual. The only major repair is the new transmission at 170K. This has been an extremely reliable car throughout and I obviously do a lot of driving and has been comfortable to travel in, I am 65" 260lbs so I need some space and this car has plenty. Radio works fine, Blows cold AC, down here in Florida that helps.I had to car in Ohio for the first 10 yrs of its life and the ice/snow/salt did nothing to the outside or anything. Did well in the snow could not be happier with this car overall.I mean everyone has something to complain about but I got my $s worth