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 real problems - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Like my car - November 8 - 4:35 pm

  The car is roomy, and reasonably comfortable. I have not had the problems like I have read about but I have had the 1&2 setting on blower switch go out. The car feels solid and has plenty of get up and go for merging into traffic. I would like headlights that I could shut off if I wanted to, but really it automatic lights are a better idea so I dont have to remember. Car has 64000 miles and the water light came on. Took it to shop and they replaced a gasket. It was under warranty so it dod not cost much. The interior seems chintzy. Cheap pastic buttons and switches, but at least it is reliable.

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  Lots for your money - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Doreen - November 8 - 1:53 pm

  If you dont drive a lot of miles, the low MPG wont make too much difference. (This was actually cheaper for me to lease than a less expensive vehicle because of special GM rebates, even with the high gas prices.) Comfortable ride and lots of options and cool little features with the Info Center! The wind noise is noticeable, but the nice sound system will make you forget about it. Drives more like a car than a truck. Has lots of room for people and stuff. The dash controls have more knobs than buttons, so you can turn to your choice directly, instead of pushing a button 10 times to get there. Subtle, but nice. Overall, a great car/truck.

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  Yeah, baby! - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Big E - November 8 - 1:42 pm

  Ive been waiting a long time to be able to buy a Tahoe, and Im not disappointed. The CD player stopped working recently and OnStar did not work when new. Dealer service and satisfaction has been excellent and way more than I expected.

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  Comfortable interior/rough riding - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jed Pitre - November 7 - 12:15 am

  Very satisfied with the seating capacity and interior roominess. Designed to be able to do a lot with the seating (i.e. 2nd row features individual bucket seats and 3rd row is fold down for major storage capacity in rear of vehicle. Very good on gas mileage. Vehicle does not handle well. Typical of front wheel drive vehciles. Does not perform well on substandard roads. You feel too many bumps.

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  ZR2 blues.... - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Barbara - November 6 - 2:53 am

  OK I owned a 2001 Chevy S 10 ZR2 truck and LOVED it, but lost it in my divorce,so thinking they was all built the same i got a 1998 ZR2 Blazer. BIG MISTAKE I have only had it barely 2 months and alreday have major issues. Let start with the 4x4 it kept switching in and out of 4 wheel drive on its own, and front end needs work, ball joints ect and now a MAJOR issue with running service engine light comes on and it will run REALLY bad, acting like its getting no gas, has no power wants to die but then bam it runs great again in a few days. Seems to be a common complaint with the 1998s i regret buying it BEFORE I really researched the issues. THINK TWICE...

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  Good Truck for the money - 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By sirhawkeye - November 4 - 9:44 am

  Overall, the 2013 Silverado 1500 is a good truck. Its not necessarily the fastest or most powerful truck out there. I tend to look more for reliability and easy to use (especially when it comes to internal electronics--radio, cruise control, etc). Yes Fords have the newer tech in some areas, and their trucks are faster and but I like the tried-and-true engine that GM tends to keep using (ie. the 4.3 Vortec which has been around for the past 2 decades or more). The 6-speed automatic w/ manual control and the 5.3L V8 is a very nice combo to get for moderate towing and fuel economy. Crew cab provides enough room for adults in rear seat.

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  Awesome Family Sedan - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By bill h - November 3 - 3:12 pm

  Now that I have wife and kids I had to give up the z28 for a family sedan. Very solid car that is very comfortable to drive. Better gas mileage than my wifes Subaru. Ive been getting 24 mpg city and 31 on the high way. We got the 3.8 liter engine based on the durability that we and other family members have had with it in older GM cars. We also got the sport touring suspension that comes standard with the LS, however, the ride still feels fairly soft and vague - it should not be confused with the sport touring designation that you hear about with Saabs, BMWs, etc. However it is the only car I have driven that my back feels better after 200 miles of highway driving than before!

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  Look and Drive of More Expensive Car - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Frank Provasek - November 2 - 9:52 am

  I bought this car new for $16,000. Everyone who I showed it to and let ride in it guessed $22,000 to $25,000. Average 24 MPG with 3.1 litre V-6.

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  SS - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By SS - November 2 - 9:40 am

  Traded a BMW 3 Series for the Impala. Best value for a sports sedan with plenty of legroom and trunk space.

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  HHR PRETTY HAPPY - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By SUNNY FLORIDA - November 1 - 2:53 pm

  6 months 8000 miles. Needed 2 trips to dealer to fix warped brake rotors and drums, broken rear hatch latch replaced. paid $19K for a leftovr 07, listed for $23K. The car delivers decent comfort & performance for price. It feels reliable, motor and trans. are okay. You will not feel or hear motor inside car, vibrates less then Japanese cars. Fuel economy is not up to par, I am averaging 17 MPG with mostly city driving. I use it for deliveries, hauling family stuff etc. Nice fold downs & roomy. Rattle free, I like the interior very much, simple, elegant nice fit finish. I am happy, although car is far from perfect, see suggested improvements below.