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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  Chevrolet Silverado xtra cab 5.3 2WD SB - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bruce Morgan - October 9 - 10:00 am

  A real truck, not a cute poser. If you in need of real power to tow, dont waste your time with Toyota and the rest.

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  07 SS/SC Chevy Cobalt - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By ninjahampster - October 9 - 2:43 am

  This car has it all from great looks to awesome handling. The brute force in the supercharger is amazing and the Stage 2 upgrade makes it feel like a whole different car.

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  Im Alive - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Megan - October 8 - 5:52 pm

  I bought my Equinox 2 yrs ago. It has 60,000 on it now. Well, did. I had to replace the rotors and was due again. Also, the main belt in the motor had to be replaced. There was a knocking sound coming from the back passenger side we could never figure out. Also, my gas gauge was never accurate after filling up. Two days ago I totaled it. I hydroplaned and flipped numerous times before playing ping pong with pine trees. It threw me out of the seat belt ans I landed halfway outside the vehicle. Also, NONE of my air bags deployed. I came out with only scratches & bruises so Im blessed but dont really know how Im feeling about it at this time. Cons out weigh pros but I am alive.

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  Flexibility - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Southern Living - October 8 - 1:03 pm

  First, I dont buy foreign cars! When we moved to North Carolina from up north we didnt have much need for our Blazers 4WD but still needed the ability to haul around things, including a LARGE German Shepherd. The MAXX gets better MPG than other American SUVs we saw while still having SUV type space.

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  Amazing Little Car - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Paul - October 8 - 11:33 am

  I recently bought my 1999 Chevy Malibu for $1,500. For a High School Student the car is an amazing little car. I run it hard and it gets a consistent 23mpg in town. I love the looks of the car and it cleans up really well. Only issue with my car is the gas gauge doesnt work, but I can live without it. It hasnt given me or the previous owner any issues and its pushing 160,000 miles. Great car and I would recommend it to anyone!

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  No Customer Service here! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Tracy Tharp - October 8 - 11:23 am

  My HHR has had wind noise and water leak issues from the first month I have had it. Who wants to pay thousands of dollars over many years for a new car that has been a lemon from the start. It is now leaking for the fourth time and really (?!), wouldnt you think that Chevy would step up and not make me fight for what is right? But they are not! I am going to have to contact a lawyer! Thats not customer service!

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  350 HP: 20,000$ - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Tom Slawsky - October 8 - 2:00 am

  i got my 2001 Z28 with a CD player, 6 speed and hurst shifter and rear window de-froster. I paid just over 20,000$. Now, I had the horse power tested aftewr a new muffler and induction lid.....317 HP at the wheels, which translates to 385 HP at the motor. This thing has the Flagship LS1 motor and comes with 350 HP off of the show room floor (yes, GM UNDER rates these cars, as not to piss off the Vette owners) Anyone who says that these cars can only drive in a straight line has never driven a ercent one. The bang to buck ratio os awesome..these from 0-60 and through the quarter mile faster than the Porsche 911 (non turbo) and they are trapping the same speed as the new vwttes,whoah!

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  1st To 2nd Gear BUcking Transmission - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Florida Nick Nack - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This truck would shift with a series of distinct bumps, as many as three, on the automatic shift from 1st to 2nd gear. The dealer could not fix the problem so I went through the Florida Lemon Law process. The final arbitration decision was that the shifting problem had no "significant safety of monetary impact on the vehicle" therefore my request for replacement was "DENIED". Chevy, with the Arbitrators concurance, said that the bumping shift was a normal feature for this vehicle. BUYER BEWARE!

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  2002 Z71 - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dstrout - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Cant really fault anything on this truck. The thing that really stands out when you drive this truck is no road or wind noise, its soild.

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  Great until recently (valve issues) - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By good so far, but.... - October 7 - 8:37 pm

  Reliable (inc. all the way down to - 10F no issue). Not sporty (understeer), or sexy, but a very functional commuter. Inexpensive/easy to maintain, great on gas (35mpg at 80mph), BUT at 30 000, was getting bucking cold (about 40F outside) when slowing at stop signs, and bucking when cold at 30mph (with flashing check engine light) - deayler confirmed valve issue (to be fixed under warranty). Synthetic oil since I got it didnt save it from this defect. Also had belt tensionner issues and rotor vibration (turning the rotors fixed that). Otherwise, I do like the car, and the service is friendly/trustworthy (they are throwing in a new Timing belt install)