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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  Built Not To Last - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By rosalind - February 5 - 1:37 pm

  I have had several problems with my Malibu. The sun visor mirror had to be replaced. The check engine light had to be serviced. The steering shaft has been replaced 3 times. My car jerks and feels like its going to take off at least 3 times per month and the dealer doesnt know why. I am always replacing bulbs. The passenger door would not shut completely and has to be fixed. I have reached 55,000 miles and I feel that this car is not going to last another 55,000 miles.

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  Good Van Resonable Price - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By Steve - February 5 - 11:13 am

  Bought our van new in 2003 in time for the birth our twin boys. Comfortable, reliable vehicle for a family of 5. We have taken several long trips to Disney World, Nashville and Boston through all kinds of weather with no problems. We currently have over 80,000 miles on the vehicle with no major repairs just regular maintenance. Looking forward to taking our next road trip our family has spent many happy miles driving in this van and expect to spend many more over the next several years. Wish Chevy still made this van so I could buy another when I replace my Chevy S- 10 blazer (which still runs great)with 180,000 miles, this is my 6th Chevy vehicle, others all ran great for 200,000 miles

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  good van - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By billy97477 - February 4 - 9:11 pm

  217,000 miles and still runs great. a lot less problems than I would expect for a vehicle with so many miles. Good for camping. Can fit a cot and ice chest in the van comfortably. Rear cigarette lighter jack is good for my dvd player while camping. So is the rear heat that heats up pretty fast on the coldest of nights. With no seats in my quad even fits in it. Awd works still and does great in the snow and mud.

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  emissions or valves - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Debbie - February 4 - 8:48 pm

  Starting at 20,000 miles the car would die, would not start or started rough. At a stop light it would idle ok but when I gave it gas it would continue to idle, didnt move. I was told this was loss of compression. Gm is sort of working with me on this, I believe what they were saying is the emissions would not totally leave the valves and when it fired again, you get carbonization on the valves. They have cleaned the valves with a cleaner ($400.00 thank you). Whats next a valve job. Is gm kidding? this is a flaw in the engine design, or is it the emissions? will is pass emissions? it is great on gas, oh yah supreme only is recommended, it Burns hotter. Last Chevy for me!

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  Buying a used Corvette - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By crusinlou - February 4 - 7:12 pm

  Since I have not had this car that long I can only tell you that be aware that there is a shift from 1st to 3rd on the manual if you take off at low rpms this is to give you better gas mileage.

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  Too Many Problems - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By April - February 4 - 9:22 am

  We bought this car new and soon after had AC/Heat problems. Dealer fixed those. Replaced tires not long after that. Car always pulls to the left. Interior is breaking and chipping. Had to have a shifting solenoid replaced. A/C started leaking into the car after the warranty was up. We were told it was over-charged and would correct itself (not true). Had to replace tires again. Shifter wouldnt go into park so unable to turn car off. Way too many problems for a new car.

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  I Love it! - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Fertt - February 3 - 7:23 pm

  This car is great looking, safe and fuel efficient... What more can you say. It has great balance on the road and makes you safe as you drive.... Thank you for the best car from chevy

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  No spare - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Larry Carpenter - February 3 - 2:20 pm

  Great car, rides, handles well, luv the looks everyone stares at it. Small windows make it difficult to park, would be difficult to get out of if doors wont open after accident. Issues with lack of spare tire, offered as 150.00 option if ordered. standard tire inflate kit, what happens if you have a hole in the tire? Dealer doesnt sell spare tire kit. cant find one anywhere. Tire mfg.wont warranty tire if sealant used. Most tire dealers wont fix tire if sealant has been used. Dont like the door lock/unlock feature location.

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  Bad deals - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By rl - February 3 - 2:03 pm

  My daughter bought a Trailblazer LS from Cal Worthington and had nothing but trouble. They tried to charge her for charging a battery that was dead because there was some problem with the alarm system and she couldnt turn off the radio,etc. Then the engine blows because they said there was no oil in the engine. She had recently had an oil change which she did regularly. These vehicles should be recalled.

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  Great Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Dave - February 3 - 10:36 am

  This is my 2nd posting regarding the Trailblazer, the last being in March of 08. This truck has been the most reliable vehicle we have ever owned. It now has 63,000 miles on it and has never needed anything other than oil and filter changes. It is quick, comfortable, and can carry a lot of cargo with the seats folded down. Go easy on the gas pedal and it will get 20-21 mpg on the highway.