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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  1999 Prizm Lsi - 1999 Chevrolet Prizm
  By snoopsha1 - October 31 - 6:11 am

  Bought this car at 150,000 miles in fall of 2008. The ONLY reason I dont have it now is cause a freakin unoccupied moving truck backed into my poor baby while it was parked. I had to replace the motor mount and compressor. A few months later replaced the front brakes. The engine light stayed on, but I never had any serious issues (gas cap). When I got it scanned the first time it also said the 02 sensor needed replacing, but when I got it scanned again, it said nothing about the 02 sensor, so who knows? put about 14,000 miles on this car. The speakers up front blew, but everything mentioned is nothing too serious My only complaint would be space.

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  Better Than Expected - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By craig - October 31 - 2:01 am

  I traded in my 04 Grand Prix for a new 09 LTZ. I love it! Its got a lot more interior room & the trunk is HUGE. I have to lay down to get anything just behind the back seat. The headroom is great in front & back. Im not as blinded at night now as the Impala sits higher. The acceleration w/ the 3.9 liter is great! I have nearly V8 performance & am getting V6 mileage. Im averaging 20 mpg & thats w/ lots of city miles. The features w/ the radio are much better than in my old car. I can see why the police are starting to buy LTZs.

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  Roomy and Fuel Efficient - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Buckeye_Traveller - October 30 - 4:55 pm

  We have had our Impala for 3 years. I really like the large interior and trunk, with folding back seats that allow lots of cargo. We have been averaging 33 mpg on the freeway, using cruise control. We average about 25 city driving. I also really like the dash computer that tells mileage and tire pressure (PSI) on each tire. The only problems that I have had with the car are interior seating. The headrest has come apart on the driver side twice. The rear seats were replaced under warranty due to seams coming apart. The Goodyear tires that it came with wore out around 36,000 miles. Other than that, I really like this car and recommend it.

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  Traded Tahoe for Traverse - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Cindy Ensley - October 30 - 3:16 pm

  Traded in my 07 Tahoe for a LT1 Traverse, love the white with black interior.Very sleek on the road, only have 300 miles so far cant tell about the mileage. Runs very quiet, easier to park than Tahoe.Purchased the bench seat in the middle to accommodate grandchild.

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  LTZ 6.2 - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By 6.2 LTZ - October 30 - 12:43 pm

  The 6.2 is so rare it wasnt even a selection in the drop down menu! This is actually my second LTZ, the first being a 2007 2WD with the 5.3. The 6.2 4X4 has loads of power but unfortunately is averaging just 13.8 MPG to the 16 MPG of the 2WD 5.3 with only a 4 speed trans (No 8/4 mode on the 6.2). By far, the best truck GM has ever produced. Not quite the ride of the Escalade (no magnetic ride control in the Tahoe), but the Caddy didnt have low range (AWD only), and really, 12K more for a slightly bigger nav screen and 6 disc changer VS single disc? A no brainer. Build quality is very good, at least equal to Ford or Chrysler.

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  Dont buy Chevy!!!!! - 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
  By rskinner - October 30 - 9:30 am

  The car has been falling apart since we got it. The radio didnt work since day 1! The bolt that holds the car together fell off. There is only 18,000 miles on the car. I dont believe it should be falling apart so quickly. This car has been in the shop 3 times this month alone. At 10,000 miles it already had a leak in the motor! Dont buy Chevy! I know we wont from here on out! What a bunch of lemons!

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  Beautiful Ride 2010 Malibu - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Sunnyleaf - October 30 - 8:46 am

  I bought this car on October 27th, 2009, it rides good, I love the way it handles the road. You cant go wrong for the price. I bought the White Pearl Diamond. Its fabulous!!

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  Gas mileage less than when new - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Calvin Bowlin - October 30 - 7:23 am

  Had a water leak in the cab due to improper vent installation from factory, lots of wiring issues from water damage, fuel mgt. system robs power and does improve mpg, truck averaged 18-21 mpg for the first 6-8 months. now averages 15.3 hwy with cruse set at 65mph, 13-14 overall. Previously had a 2004 with 5.3 engine that got 19mpg on hwy at 80,000 miles, 2004 was much stronger hauling hay and a boat, 2008 5.3 runs at 211-212 degrees. Seems too hot for just going down the road empty. I am not convinced GM has improved the truck over previous body style. rear bumper is nothing more than stamped sheet metal, very cheap,

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  Fun and Nice to Drive But Costly - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Wayne6 - October 30 - 6:18 am

  I purchase this car with only 68000 miles on it and now has 86100 miles on it.It is a nice car and fun to drive.I put alot of money in it for repairs mostly suspension issues and a few other mechanical problems.There are a few out there with more problems than with others.It has been a good strong car despite the problems that I had.

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  Bad Bad Van - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Wood6 - October 29 - 8:08 pm

  When we first got our van it was in the winter. We did not know that it did not have rear air. I have 4 boys and this is our only vehicle. I had to put a fan between the seats just so they can get cool. The brakes keep on being replaced. I had to get new rear tires because of the way the edges on one side were bad. The rear passenger door makes creaking sounds when the van is in motion, and there is some loud rubbing or grinding sound from the back passenger side. Sometimes the DVD player will not even play new DVDs. I hate this van. We can not trade it in because the value has dropped so much since GM is no longer making it, and it can not be refinanced.DO NOT BUY!!!!!!!!!!!