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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  Wasted Money - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By JGer - November 18 - 5:33 pm

  Very disappointed in this car. If this is the best that GM can do then I guess I finally have to go the way of millions of other car buyer and buy foreign. The design of the car is a cheap knockoff of a Honda Accord. I want an American car, not a copy of a Japanese car. The interior is cheap and plastic, looks more like a Chevy Chevette then an Impala. I paid way too much for this car, even with GMs paultry "incentives". No wonder GM is going broke!

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  Steering Shaft/transmission slipping - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Harry McGee - November 18 - 2:28 pm

  I purchased car new and when slowing to stop the car shut off 4 different times. It would start back up ok. When starting off transmission slipped 8 times. Starting about 20,000 miles you would hear a clicking sound/bump when you backed up and started off. I went back to the dealer about 10 times trying to get these things taken care of. They would drive the car and say they cannot find anything wrong. Asked them to put all info in the computer. At 35,000, bad rotors, 43,000 bad tire rods, they paid for both. About 80,000 miles replaced Intermediate steering shaft my cost. Driving 2010 Toyoto Camry now. This was my 6th Chev. Impala and I will never buy another Chevrolet. You Decide.

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  Fun - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Bill F - November 17 - 11:50 pm

  Walked into dealer wife saw car & fell in love with it. car is loaded with all the great options from side air bags to adjustable pedals.fun to drive.took it home an hour after she looked at.

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  Expensive Lemon! - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Joe - November 17 - 11:21 pm

  Bought this 2008 Suburban about 15 months ago and it has been in and out of the shop ever since. Tire sensors keep failing. Power locks keep failing. Last and worst - had to replace BOTH front hub rings at different times. Left front wheel almost flew off on highway at 65 MPH! Definite NOT as reliable and indestructible as my two 2001 Suburbans. Have they started making them out of plastic? I get an idea why GM went bankrupt now.

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  AFTER MY 1ST YEAR - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tom - November 17 - 7:14 pm

  Purchased this car a year ago, had 22,000 on it now has 42,000. Back to dealership for minor things, but had to replace 2 tires, I swear they are rubbing something under the vehicle, steel belts came through, shouldnt w only 42,000 on them. Just your BASIC sedan next vehicle will be the Hyundai sonata hell of a lot more car for the money

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  Rather fine truck - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By CHB - November 17 - 6:01 pm

  Two weather strip issues are the only problems in first 36000 mi. Dont get heavy duty suspension unless your going to carry max weight or some cargo in bed all the time.

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  Sick Car! - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By nateo - November 17 - 5:03 pm

  If you put the money into your car like the intake system, big spoiler, tires and rims, and alarm system is very cool and fun to drive. I have only had a few problems but easy to fix. I hate the headlights though, very tough to replace!

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  BUY THE CAR - GET IT LOADED UP - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By PETERSON - November 17 - 2:03 pm

  Love this car. I purchased the LT package with all the bells and whistles. The pioneer stereo is more than adequate. It sounds as good if not better than some Bose systems Ive heard. Love the XM radio. Love the Onstar (Incase of a serious accident)- Has great comfortable leather seats with the 2-stage heat option. (VERY NICE) and airbags everywhere. I got the 17" Chrome style wheels with the Pirelli tires. This car sticks and corners SWEET!!! And I have owned 5 Corvettes!!!! You can take a 40mph curve at 70 and it will rail right around. Awesome!!!Traded a 07 Civic EX and yes the dash was prettier and may last a bit longer but I hands down LOVE the Cobalt much much better. Smooth/Quiet/Awesome

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  Great Car - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Clydeprang - November 17 - 3:53 am

  Outstanding performance for v-6; Suspension (optional sport) does a great job on twisty roads. Comfort features (heated seats, etc are very nice touch); we have been very pleased with this vehicle in town and on one 5000 mile trip. Gas mileage is an amazing 30mpg - even at 70mph plus. Little too much road noise on some roads, but that is not hard to live with.

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  Back to buying American - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By caesar - November 17 - 2:06 am

  Use to be a big Honda owner. Honda has gone up in price so much I thought Id try an american car. I saw the Malibu and wow! It drives better than my Honda and looks better with all the fun options. Much more car than Honda or Toyota can offer for a great price. Glad to be buying a GM car.