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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  BEATS CAMRY, ACCORD AND ALTIMA BY A LONG SHOT - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By AO Schoenitz - June 24 - 12:45 am

  We owned a 2008 Chevy Impala LS that was by far the best vehicle I have ever come across in terms of reliability. We drove this vehicle for 224,000 miles and only experienced 2 out of the norm repairs over the course of 5 years. Both repairs were under $500 each which translates to minimal costs for upkeep of this vehicle. The miles per gallon for the size vehicle is most impressive during the early years of the cars life, 33+. The handling during Winter Weather is excellent as well. The car has some weight that it holds the road well. Power is nice and in abundance. The trunk is large. Their are only (2) gripes. One is that every vehicle should have 60/40 seats. The LS model did not have this option. The other issue is more for aesthetics in that the lower portion of the dashboard uses cheaper plastic that simply does not have to look and feel like it was a material decided by some bean counter accountant. For such a strong and reliable vehicle, why not complete the circle and make an interior you can cherish. Bought with 15,000 miles.

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  Nice Van - Gaskets stink - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Lorne - June 22 - 10:14 pm

  Typical thing with GM vehicles I have ever purchased. Always something wrong that is notorious with it. Rear disc brakes seizing in the early 90s cars. Now with this engine the head hasket and/or intake gasket is crap. Seems everyone has this problem. But GM wont fix it. No wonder people are buying foreign. I would love to stay domestic, but I cant afford the $3000 repair bills on something they know is a problem. This problem really takes away a comfortable van with lots of room and good gas economy.

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  1ST Chevy, Very Pleased - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By pdxmedic - June 22 - 12:18 am

  I really like the interior design of the vehicle with the chrome use and the look of the gauge cluster. The exterior is a little boxy looking, but none the less still a great car. So far the MPG is the most impressive.

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  Loyal to GM - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Beanie - June 21 - 3:13 pm

  Coming from a long line of GM owners, and not able to pass on "employee discount" offer, I decided fuel economy and style were #1 considerations. I chose the Cobalt LS 5-speed. Am getting 28.5MPG only if I drive like Grandma, but its better than GMC Jimmy was achieving. Fun car despite only a 4 cyl, but wouldnt get an automatic! Performance doesnt compare to my old 88 Z24 5-speed, but Im still getting there in style and on less gas.

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  1999 Convertible Camaro - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Todd Futter Howk - June 21 - 1:51 pm

  I love this car. it handles beautifully and is a real joy to drive, especially on nice days when I can drive with the top down. The engine, a 3800 series II is sound and runs great. I get super gas milage without losing any "get up and go" My only complaint would be that the convertible is very hard to see out of when the top is up. Lack of good visibility would be my main concern with this car but other than that a super car and a great buy! (I bought mine for $6000.)

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  Steelers Wonder - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By John - June 21 - 10:56 am

  2005 with less than80,000 miles

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  great - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By darrell McCulloch - June 20 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is comfortable, smooth and great for traveling in. Handles great, and little to no bounce in the ride.

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  Few Problems - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Matthew - June 19 - 2:33 pm

  Ive had my Trailblazer since March 2003. I have never had a major repair or problem with the vehicle. Handles like a car, and if you keep up with regular maintenance schedules, the car is a joy. Im pushing 100,000 miles after 4 years and the car is still running like day one. I used to own a Blazer and it rode like a rock after 6 months, but the Trailblazer has run like a car since day one and thereafter. I would highly recommend it for safety, style and dependability.

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  Excellent Sport van - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Orich - June 19 - 12:38 pm

  We needed a bigger car for our expanding family, so we broke down and decided on a mini-van. After researhing many brands, we came across the Uplander. At first look, we thought it was an SUV. This made us feel better about buying a mini-van. When we went to the dealer to see one in person, we were more than impressed with the features of the Uplander. It didnt take long after that before we went ahead and bought one. We love it!

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  1995 Tahoe - 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Lets fish - June 19 - 12:16 pm

  We used the Tahoe for both city driving and for long distance travels (Florida to Virginia). We have the towing package and have towed a large 18 boat to the Florida Keys and to Virginia with no issues. Very reliable and dependable. Even after 11 years we have had minimal component replacement. 1 A/C, 1 radiator, 1 water pump.