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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  Fav Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Jack Daniels - February 3 - 9:19 am

  6 years old and still running and looking GREAT. I will probably keep this vehicle another 6 years. it has been an absolute pleasure to drive!!

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  Intake Manifold Leak / Blown Head Gasket - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Chevrolet Venture - February 3 - 6:18 am

  I bought it new in 2002. My wife drives it to work till now, and she has been using my own 2001 Venture to work now. I took it to Hogan. All they did advise me was to do an engine flush and replace the thermostat. I keep getting warm and cold from my heater even I have it on the higher at all times. I took it to shop, and hopefully will get it in a few days for the Manifold leak and blow head gasket. I have spent about $2,500 for the last couple of months. I will not own any more GMs vehicle in the future.

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  Is it a Wagon, or SUV? - 2010 Chevrolet HHR
  By Chevyman - February 3 - 12:24 am

  Instant acceleration even with the automatic. SS seats are very comfortable, with an excellent Pioneer sound system!This year they moved the turbo gauge to the middle of the top of the dashboard which use to be a storage compartment for the Super Sport line. Very easy ingress and egress.

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  Fast speed, faster break downs - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mixed Emotions - February 2 - 8:42 pm

  Bought used with 34000 miles, lots of wheel spin, 21mpg mixed 27 highway. can keep up with newer mustang gts and eat up 5.7 hemi chargers, BUT 4 fuel injectors replaced, bad onstar unit and a paranoia when driving more than 100 miles at a time. every time Ive been on a road trip a fuel injector goes bad. i should have learned my lesson after my 05 ctss water pump and transmission went out at 4 yrs and 33000 miles on the clock. no wonder GM went bankrupt so so so much fun to drive...until it breaks down. dealership would blame a flat tire with a nail in it on "unknown causes with no sure fix"

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  minor annoyances - 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By oscar - February 2 - 5:37 pm

  Great SUV.17-18mpg over the 100k miles on 4.6L V-8. Great A/C. Low road noise. Pulls 23 boat well.No side airbags, yet my 2002 had em and they saved my life in a major accident in 06. Rear door speakers went out after two years, door speakers are now bad. dash and steering illumination no longer work. Fog lamps always burn out and lens covers fall off. Seem to replace headlights and taillight often. No major repair expenses. Good buy for the $.

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  Why does the check engine light come on - 2005 Chevrolet Classic
  By schaeffer - February 2 - 9:09 am

  I had bought a 2005 Chevy classic, limited edition. My check engine light will come on. Ill have it checked. Then a few weeks later the light returns. The car is great on gas. She does not like the winter. I cant get heat ever, no matter how long the car runs for. When I have the knob turned to off, I still feel air coming out. I wouldnt buy this car for a family member For the body smooches like a marshmallow. I do love Chevys I just wish they would work on the radiator system a little more.

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  Love it - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By TCROTTS - February 2 - 8:44 am

  The traverse is the most comfortable more roomy and handles and drives great. I have mother in law that lives with us and 2 dog that go with us on vacations or wherever it has plenty room and very comfortable for them in the back, the only thing I have had issue with is the lift gate the button on the back will work sometimes and sometimes it want they told me to being it back it need to be synchronized. The only other thing is the gas mileage could be better but it better than any other of the vehicles and its as large inside than the larger suvs so I am happy I bought it.

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  Domestics=Reliable - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bowtieproud - February 1 - 8:04 pm

  240,000 mi and counting no problems mechanically, or electronically. However, GM discontinued analog Onstar in 2004, which stinks!! but other than that this vehicle masters in reliability. Zero problems, and no stranded or unsatisfied drivers. My Tahoe proves that GM can meet if not beat foreign automakers in reliability, and i hope its seen more, and more people will buy GM, and mot Foreign. Despite SUV still looks, drives, and rides great. I have 1000% confidence that this Tahoe will no problem rolling over to 3 if not 500,000 miles. Domestics are as reliable as the Foreign automakers advertise, only Ive got the physical evidence to prove the above statement. I love this tahoe!!

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  15 years, still going. - 1995 Chevrolet Caprice
  By OKCEngineer - February 1 - 7:21 pm

  I bought my 9C1 Caprice at an auction for $3000, and its been the best $3000 Ive ever spent. This car is fun, fast, and cool!

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  Just bougt an 08 - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By LongDriver - February 1 - 4:40 pm

  Just bought an 08 Cobalt and for the money boy am I happy. Im a long distance commuter (200 miles one way) and the gas savings are great (31.8 avg mpg driving 60 to 65 half in the hills and half in the flatlands). Im 6ft 225 and there is ample room for my 3 hour drive. All I wanted was a cruise control, automatic transmission, and an AC. I ended up with a full featured car including heated leather seats, sunroof, power everything, pioneer sound system with a big ole subwoofer. Steering is tight, brakes responsive, and plenty of get-up-and-go when I need it. For the money I spent Im one happy Chevy Dude.