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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  No More For Me - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tired of it - March 1 - 1:37 am

  I wanted an Impala and now I dont. It handles great but the transmission likes to slip a lot. The starter sticks for a few seconds after it has already been started. Have to jump the battery every 4-6 weeks because it likes to randomly die. Alternator shop said it is not the alternator, most likely an electrical short. I have never replaced anything electrical on it so I myself didnt short it out. Engine is sluggish. Also the heater doesnt work half the time. Black trim on outside is already faded. Otherwise the rest is fine but as much trouble as I have had, I will never buy one again.

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  Very Nice, Solid Car - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By Urocyon - March 1 - 12:38 am

  I bought this car as a commuting vehicle when I had to turn in my Company vehicle. After I bought I thought I had made a mistake since the car seems relatively plain. However, the more I drive this car the more I like it. I have owned this car for exactly one year and have had zero problems. Not one. Mileage is much better than expected. On frequent runs to San Diego I average 32 mpg. Car is very comfortable with ample interior and head room. Styling is growing on me. Stereo has nice sound. Good solid car at a very reasonable price. GM seems to finally be getting the message and improving their products. I highly recommend.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Mmmm Toast - February 28 - 10:09 pm

  I love my cavalier it amazes me how i can drive around town all day and use almost no gas. I am amazed by all the power I am getting out of the little ecotech 4 banger. my cavalier is mostly stock (no engine mods) I have a AEM cold air intake and a GReddy evo 2 exhaust and i can lay rubber in first shift to second and lay some more and get 30+mpg on the ride home, hard to do without switching cars. I dont know how well the car handles stock because mine was dropped probably 3 in before i got it but it handles like a race car i can turn a corner doing 30 in town:) i bought it and drove it back to KS from MO couple hours and was comfortable the whole way

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  I got a Red One :) - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JoeJoe - February 28 - 6:08 pm

  I traded my H3 in for this baby. I have the LT2 with the RS package. Automatic, with all the goodies. Its Victory Red with White Stripes. Love the Sound System, The paddle shifters, I sit low in the seats, Im 56", but thats what makes it so awesome. I feel as though Im in a race car. My favorite part of the interior is the ambient blue lighting on the doors. too bad they couldnt of continued it all through the dash. Everyone looks at my car. It is sooooo easy to speed in this and not know it. So I like the speed notification you can set up. To warn you when you exceed the speed you had put in mine is at 69. I did get the spare tire, dont feel comfortable driving around without it...

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  Goodbye Old Pal - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BOBB - February 28 - 5:03 pm

  traded my 2000 Malibu for a 2010 HHR. Only has 48000 miles, but I never had anything close to a major problem with this car. For 9 years and 9 months it always got me where I wanted to go. It was a very luxurious car for the price I paid. For the last couple of years it sounded like there was a Mexican troope playing castanets in the engine, but I still got 24 miles per gallon. It was one of the best cars Ive had and Im 66 years old.

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  Look out Toyota and Honda, Chevy is back - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By ML Boyd - February 28 - 4:42 pm

  I just purchased my Impala two days ago after looking and driving many others from Japan. All I can say is, if you test drive it you will buy it. I could not get this car off my mind after driving it. The interior is simple elegance. Sometimes less is more and thats what I think of the interior & exterior styling on this car. I have owned many cars in my life and none has captured me the way this one has...

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  2001 Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Bob - February 28 - 3:29 pm

  Bought our Suburban new summer of 01. Overall, it has been a average vehicle. Its power and handling are subpar by todays standards but are certainly adequate. Braking is not very secure feeling. The controls are laid out well and are easy to use. However, the design doesnt look all that great, kind of cheap. The front seats are extremely comfortable. 2nd &3rd row seats complete opposite. Quality has been bad but not terrible. Lots of problems and has caused some real headaches. Luckily, all of the tons of problems it has had have been relatively inexpensive to resolve. However,my friend got a lemon with his 02 tahoe. Nothing but problems,thousands spent on repairs,left them stranded often

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  We Love This Car! - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Stan - February 28 - 1:48 am

  Ive owned this car for about a year now and it has been great! The only thing I have had to replace is rear brakes and the front rotors probably need replacing or at least to be turned down - minor for a vehicle approaching 100,000 miles. The 3.4L provides more than adequate performance and exceptional gas mileage. I actually do get 24-32mpg. This car is extremely smooth, roomy, fun to drive, comfortable for someone who is 51" and the stereo is the best! It makes me wonder why the Consumer Review mags refuse to acknowledge a quality American-made vehicle - consumer rating for the Impala have always been above "editors" reviews. For some reason, they would rather promote Toyota, Honda, etc.

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  Key in will not start - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By sandy - February 28 - 12:04 am

  Trouble For some reason when we put the key in the ignition it will not start until you play with the wheel. It will start with the remote. This has happened twice in the last two days - takes 10- 15 minutes and some sort of luck to get it to start

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  Quality & Moon Roof Problems - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Mark DeBaker - February 27 - 3:11 pm

  The moon roof made noise from the start. The dealer put foam in it twice. Turns out after the warranty was up that the actuator is failing. It cannot be tightened & is a $1,000.00 repair that GM will not back up. The glass can be seen bouncing. The car hydroplanes in light rain, slush and snow because of the wide low profile tires. Expect to pay a fortune to replace the low profile tires. Window controls are poorly located. Rear passenger seating is small. Wipers stop working sometimes. Takes a technician to replace the air cleaner. Gas mileage is very good. Disappointed that GM will not back up Mfg defects. Do not leave the dealership without documented repair paperwork.