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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  Keeping Me Broke - 2001 Chevrolet Venture
  By going broke fast - January 14 - 8:31 pm

  I bought the van with 140K on it - salesperson vehicle. No big deal I thought! Ha! Head gastket went in first month (covered under the extended warranty I purchased). A/C didnt work, replaced 3 wheel bearings at $680 each, struts $777, engine light on almost all the time - various things replaced, blower system didnt work - wouldnt switch from one position to another $1000, then wouldnt work in position 1,2 $300. I added it up on Christmas day night and in 2 1/2 yrs Ive spent now $7300.00 in repairs! It has been such a HUGE disappointment. Ive always been a GM person but no more. Oh ya, gas gauge doesnt work AGAIN - this is the third time and it is a $700 fix!

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  Love Mine! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By K Lawson - January 14 - 11:45 am

  I love mine. If I plan to trade for a new model in a year or two. There have been a few recalls though for minor stuff like the bumper and the molding around the door jams. Other than that it hasnt given me any problems or complaints. It drives excellent in the snow with AWD or 4WD (with the appropriate tires). My children have plenty of room in the back and we use it often to travel. Unlike the car I owned prior to the Trailblazer, there are no complaints from them either.

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  Great value car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By GlennS - January 13 - 11:33 pm

  I have a long commute to work so I wanted something economical, safe, comfortable, quiet and with some spunk. I also wanted something with enough space to offer some versatility for longer road trips and for hauling people and things around. This car has all this and for thousands less than a comparably equipped Accord, Camry or Maxima. The only thing that Chev should really try to improve is the front suspension. Its not bad but it does not feel as solid as with many of the competitive models. Overall, a great value for a mid-sized car.

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  whats with the gas milage - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By pete - January 13 - 9:50 pm

  Too early to tell reliability, this is my work horse 30K a year. went back to American 1st time in many years. need to support our icons. I have been watching the mile per gallon indicator setting trying to maximize. So far GMs claims are far fetched I avg 21- 22 total street and hwy combined. hope that improves like a good wine with age as it breaks in. Sometimes at light car flutters and stalls out. I told dealer and they said to bring in that iy may be a bad sensor.

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  Boring but dependable - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By leroy - January 13 - 9:37 pm

  This car isnt hot or racy. Its not a luxury car but it cleans up well and just keeps on running. Now that may not seem like a lot to some folks but if youre tired of trips back to the dealership then this is your kind of vehicle. Ive owned a Lumina for four years and have nothing bad to say about it. My next car will be a little more appealing to the eye but I just hope it can come close to the 99 Lumina as far as reliability.

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  If not fun, then at least reliable - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Gary - January 13 - 7:53 pm

  I bought the car slightly used, a program car. The LS was the mid level car in 2005, and mine is loaded, 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction control, etc. It goes down the road comfortably and quietly, and is a very nice ride. I like most everything on the car, with the exception of the electic power steering. This is a car that I can be comfortable in, even with the sunroof. I owned a 1998 Malibu earlier, and had nothing but problems with it. This redesigned Malibu, Im hoping, will cure that bad taste left by my previous car. I think Im going to enjoy my new Malibu. It appears to be well crafted, well put together, if not spectacular. It is a good, midsized, American car.

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  The Review - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Kari W - January 12 - 5:49 pm

  I have had the Aveo LS for about a year in a half now... and I love it. I have only had one problem with it, and that was that the coolent was leaking...I brought it to the dealership that day and havent had a problem with it since. The car is on the light side tho, so for those windy days you need to really pay attention because you do drift a lot. For the cost of gas, this is a great way to go.

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  A great car for the money - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By jukebox ed - January 12 - 2:39 pm

  I have owned 6 Impalas since 2000, 3 base models and 3 Ls sedans. We have owned the 2000, 2003, and now the 2005. We have had virtually no problems with any of them. They are very dependable, comfortable, and get good gas mileage for their size. Safety record is also a major plus. It is a great car for the money. I have owned Cadillacs, Mercedes, and Ford products and I can say without a doubt that the Impala is a trouble-free car in every respect. Would recommend it highly to anybody.

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  High Milage Happiness - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Jeff - January 12 - 1:46 am

  I have bought this vehicle before Christmas, because I need a small truck, for projects around the house. I and my family enjoy it very much. I have had trucks in the past as well as some nice SUVs and miss them. It holds up very well, we have crossed rivers and four wheeled in some back wood areas that family owns and never got stuck once. The ride is like a 4wd truck, what do you expect, a G35 coupe? For serious high miles, the engine still has plenty of power, and not as much as expected in the way of leaks, except some one stripped the oil pan plug. Steering needs rebuilt, but I predict to be happy after the small projects are finished. The body is really solid, no rust, bed too.

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  Dream car - 2005 Chevrolet SSR
  By steve - January 11 - 11:23 pm

  My wife spotted this at the dealership and told me that was out next car. Of course, I didnt want her to think I really wanted it but too late she was in love. The SSR drives and rides like a dream. The first very cold morning the driver side window was frozen abd I could not open the door. I had to go to passenger side and crawl accoss not to easy for a 6ft 240 lb guy. I have since placed some silicon lubricant in the rubber door seal, keep your fingers crossed. Would not change it for the world right now!!