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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  08 Black SS - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Mike - October 9 - 11:18 pm

  I needed an AWD truck/SUV and opted for the TBSS (rebates, standard features). No regrets, drives great, enough power to scare you and pulls a 20 bassboat like it isnt even attached. No problems or issues in 20k miles. Only problem is no matter how I drive I cant get over 16mpg, 50 or 100 doesnt matter. Low 14 high 16, but with everything onboard and the performance not to be found ANYWHERE else in a SUV, period, Im nit picking about the gas mileage. Love the vehicle.

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  Not as good as I thought - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lynn - October 9 - 10:42 pm

  This car is not for people who drive in the country. The paint allows common driving on grid roads to take the paint off down to the steel, chips the windows and lights. The open hubcaps allow mud to get next to the wheel and causes a shimmy in the steering wheel. The trunk is alot smaller then my 2005 Malibu, the ride is good but the tires do not have traction.

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  A Well Kept Secret - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By John - October 9 - 8:36 pm

  After considering the Accord and Camry compared to Malibu, it was hands down Malibu. The quality interior really stands out- what a sharp looking mid- size. The options on this car are too numerous to mention. The mocha steel metallic exterior looks classy. The wood trim interior makes this car stand out. Is this really a GM car?

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  Buy American - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ken - October 9 - 7:05 pm

  Bought this Malibu after owning a 2004 version. The car is well built it has not made any visits to the dealer. I average about 29 mpg overall. The 6 speed auto is a must. A great car from GM

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  Exceptional - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By carguy45 - October 9 - 11:57 am

  This is my first car. It is almost 15 years old and is still running well. It has about 180,000 miles and had no major work done. It gets 13mpg around town. Its great around town, but I would not trust it on long trips. A few years back we drove it constantly back and forth on road trips. The paint is showing wear. Door hinges on driver and passenger side need replaced once and awhile. This thing goes through brakes like nobodies business. Ive replaced spark plugs a number of times and power steering hose needed replaced. Interior is made with really cheap plastic. Plus every time you hit a bump the truck shakes like a carnival ride. Other than that it is a great truck for being so old.

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  Good Van - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By TT - October 9 - 11:44 am

  I usually like pickups but this van was a compromise with my wife. It is enjoyable to drive looks great compared to other minivans. The kids love the DVD player with remote headphones. The engine has plenty of power for its purpose, a passenger vehicle, not a race car. The only problems I have had are with the keyless entry remotes not working and the starter slips during humid or wet weather. This has not ever prevented the van from starting.

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  260,000 miles and still going - 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Sue - October 9 - 10:05 am

  I bought this car used with 19,000 miles on it. This car has served me well over the years. A few cons are the front interior fabric did not hold up well & the wiring in the steering column caught on fire once and had to have the switch for the lights & turn signal replaced, also had to replace the alternator and battery 3 times. Even with its age & mileage, this car still performs well & handles as good as the day I bought it. I also have a 2004 Chevy Impala which is a comfortable car, but at 110,000 miles started having transmission slippage issues. Too bad the Impalas transmission isnt on par with the 1991 Berettas.

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  Shoud have been better - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By galoot - October 9 - 10:00 am

  The spark plug wires started going bad at about 20K miles. At about 40K and 5 trips to the shop they were all replaced. After a recall notice i waited for another 1 to go bad. So i had the dealership replace all 6 wires. After going in 6 times chevy has replaced all the wires twice. It didnt cost anything but, after 6 trips i got pissed off. If you have to pay to have the wires replaced on the Z34 it costs a lot because they have to take the intake off to get to the back 3 wires. Another problem is the alterator. It went bad at 51K and agian at 104K. It is under the engine. So it gets hit with dirt and goes bad. Only a shop can replace it. The engine has to be lowed to replace it.

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  Very Poor Resale Value!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By dissapointed - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Overal it is not a bad car. It has power to move, and the interior is laid out nice. However, I have had to have the rotars on this car replaced 3 times so far (that is front and back). I have had the pad replaced probably about 5 times (also front and back). My major beef is how can a car that I purchased brand new in 98 for about 22K be appraised for 4.5K only 3 yeras later..? Yes I do put excesive millage on the car, however I keep it in immaculate condition (inside and out). The turing radius on this car is very poor at best. The paint job scratches and dents very easily.

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  Impala! A Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By nyclicker - October 9 - 10:00 am

  It a great performing car, fun to drive and loaded with many standard features. So far I have been getting 22mpg. Theres nothing I would change on this car.