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:

• 

  Love my car - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By traverseowner - October 28 - 3:45 pm

  We purchased our Traverse to replace a 4-Runner. We love this car. The ride is very smooth. On two different road trips we have averaged 22 mpg. There is plenty of space for everything and everyone.

• 

  Dont drive in a state that gets SNOW!! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Kimberly - October 28 - 2:05 pm

  This is not a good vehicle for driving in snow. It gets hung up in drifts and is too light to get thru deep snow. I did like all the room when the seats are down and they fold perfectly flat. Extra storage compartments were nice.I dont understand why the window controls arent on the doors and the cups holders are so far back.

• 

  Great car - Not so great interior - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By lilbit - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Monte 9 months ago brand new and absolutely love everything about except the plastic interior around the stereo component and the console is starting to flake away. I am working on trying to get that fixed but havent gotten anywhere yet. Other than that I have had no mechanical problems whatsoever and the car is a blast to drive.

• 

  MC-1 - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By sleepyhollow - October 28 - 2:00 am

  First brakes at 44700, all wheels wearing very evenly. New brakes pads squeek however. Just had first new battery at 45000. Original corroded severly and positive post fell off battery. Recommend change out after 3- 4 years reqardless of condition. Very difficult to access battery, under windshield washer. Very thin an weak hood sheet metal. Dents if you push it closed. Let drop to close.

• 

  I Love My SS - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Monte2003SS - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. I traded a 2001 Monte Carlo LS for this Superior Blue SS. I loved the color from the first moment I saw it. I think the car is great and I love driving it. I am proud to say that it is the "baddest" looking ride on the street.

• 

  50th Anniversary Model is Awesome! - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By XFTRPLT - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my car for three weeks but can already tell it is going to be something special! The looks, the incredible legroom, the handling are all first rate. The technological advances are matched by the superb design of the convertible top mechanism, and the trunk is beyond my expectations--at least two sets of golf clubs will fit!

• 

  good truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By mdje - October 28 - 2:00 am

  no problems better than any ford ever built

• 

  great suv/great price compared to others - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tl - October 28 - 2:00 am

  very pleased with car compared to previous Blazer s-10, got rid of it in 2.5 years. problem with keyless locks was repaired quickly by dealer replacing rear hatch lock control module. no other problems experienced. love this car. usually keep cars 10+ years and see no reason this should not be a keeper.

• 

  cant wait to trade in - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By scott - October 28 - 1:50 am

  At first it was a nice car until the problems started. I had the brakes redone at 14000 miles. The a/c doesnt work on the drivers side. I already have rust starting on the back end. Warranty takes care of these. But I have to put my second windshield in because it cracks in the same spot starting below the rubber near the passenger door. Niether of them are from cracks The most annoying part is that I cant clean snow off of the windshield because of the design. The snow gets stuck and builds up because the "wings" that stick further out than the windshield. I am currently looking for a new car.

• 

  Terrible company car - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Traveler - October 28 - 12:51 am

  I have had 3 Impalas as company cars in the past 6 years and have had multiple problems with each one. The steering locked up and left me stranded twice with my 03. My 05 and 07 have both been in the shop multiple times for various reasons. The trim on the driver side door has peeled of on both. All of these problems happened with 50,000 miles or less. One of my biggest complaints is the heater. My last 2 Impalas would not blow hot air when the car was idling. I cant believe all of them are like this but after having 2 new ones that both operate this way I wonder. For a free car I cant complain, but I would NEVER buy one of these for myself.