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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  family second driver - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By mr.m - August 24 - 12:16 pm

  Just purchased used hhr as second vehicle for the family. So far we are enjoying it. Have spent some money on performance upgrades and a set of wheels (had to get rid of those ugly hub caps) now my son doesnt call it lame looking any more. Could use some help in the interior though. Needs the center arm rests located a little higher so you can place a cup in the holder without having to raise the arm rest and it would also make it a little more comfortable. Please keep up the good work in the design of cool looking little economy cars. Not those lame looking hybribs (prius) that the competition makes.

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  My Hot Ride-1st Vette and not the Last - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 1HOTRIDE - August 24 - 8:36 am

  Lady driven and love it. This is a vehicle that I have always wanted, finally purchased new in 2006. Looked so good did not want to drive it and had it in my garage for 6 months before I took it out. Love the car, it is awesome to drive, definitely turns heads. This is what I call my Sunday Drive Cruising Car. I had this car now since 2006 new, and dont get it out much to drive, and took it out for 2nd time this summer and my convertible gave me problems, back cover did not close properly is off centre and now need to take in to get serviced. So bit disappointed on this issue. No other complaints.

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  Never Again - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By not happy - August 24 - 7:26 am

  Ive had this car for 3 years and until the initial manufacturer warranty ran out I had no problems with the car, had great gas mileage until I hit 36000 miles, everything went down hill from there. The radio had to be replaced, the check engine light has gone on about 8 times in the last year, fuel pump had to be replaced along with 2 new gas tanks, and 2 new fuel level sensors, this past weekend it totally died on me, it has to be either the starter or alternator but this shouldnt be happening to a 3 year old car. I have stacks of paperwork for the many times it has been in to Chevy and not just for oil changes. Ive been in a rental way too many times. I will be buying a new car this week

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  Great economical, powerful family sedan - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By Richard Hanks - August 24 - 2:31 am

  Bought with 34,000 miles on the clock. Immediately set off on a 5744 mile round trip to east coast from WA State. Amazed at 32.3 average mpg received with cruise set at 70 mph where possible. Several tanks at 34+. Some heavy head winds in SD and MT on return reduced economy. The suspension is too soft for my taste with excessive body roll on cornering at higher speeds, though ride was very comfortable. As others have stated the side mirrors are on the small side for total safety. Power is more than adequate with the 3.5 liter V-6. Fit and finish both inside and out is very good. Trunk carried dog crate, cooler and all our bags with room to spare. I am very satisfied with this car.

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  This guy loves his Cruze! - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Phil Boehmer - August 24 - 1:42 am

  Ive had my 2013 Chevy Cruze for 2 years now. I bought it used with 20,000 miles on it and I now have 70,000. Other than regular maintenance (belt, wipers, oil change), I have had no problems. Ive taken this car on many trips, just recently drove it a few thousand miles between 9 different states and not one problem. Gas mileage is excellent and I love the way the car handles when driving. Seating is very comfortable in the front, Ive never been in the back so I dont personally know but people that have ridden in it say the back is fine. Huge trunk space for hauling things. This is the best, most reliable car Ive ever owned and would buy another one in a heartbeat.

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  Solid Performer - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By RRS - August 23 - 3:08 pm

  This was the third Chevy I bought in succession. The prior two were a 1998 Monte Carlo and a 2003 Impala LE. I chose the SS for the added torque and performance that are missing in the V6 Impala models. The car handles well and the performance is there when needed. Gas economy is fair. I have had no mechanical issues with this car. I have all regularly scheduled maintenance done either at the dealers or at the local Jiffy Lube. I tore the fiberglass front running it up on some snow in a parking lot last winter. I am sure that this will be an issue at lease end. I was surprised at the amount of damage for such minor impact. The front design of the car is unforgiving for minor impact

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  2009 Malibu 1LT 4cyl 6speed - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Heather - August 23 - 4:17 am

  We bought this car with trading in our Minivan cash for clunkers. The back seat fits our Britex carseat very well with plenty of leg room for our son. I like the controls easy to reach. The radio has 6 memories with 6 stations each which can be changed on the steering wheel. The remote start is great and easy to use with locking the keypad twice (turns on the alarm) & then pushing the remote start. The back seats fold down. We got a cargo net & mat package. The nets are great to keep items from rolling around. The driver seat has power seating.I was worried about the pick up and go and it does have this. Great rebates for 2009 models. For only owning it for less than 24hrs it is Great!

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  A few concerns - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By DParler - August 22 - 10:39 pm

  I bought this SUV over a Toyota Highlander because I could negotiate a better price & I had $3500 worth of GM card points to further reduce the price. I also favored this vehicle over the Highlander because (1) it seats 8, not 7 (2) it has greater cargo room, ESPECIALLY when the rear seat is up and (3) the seats split 60/40 so that one can go on vacation, comfortably seat 5, & still have room for luggage. As an owner, I have my concerns & disappointments. One of them is MPG consistently around 15.5 mpg. My wifes Sienna van gets 20 mpg under same conditions. You need to evaluate for yourself these "awkward features" ( 1) headrests (2)seat comfort & adjust ability (3) rear visibility.

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  Great car for midwest weather - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Brajesh - August 22 - 10:34 pm

  Bought my Malibu with 19K miles on it. I now have 58K on it. I bought Malibu as I always wanted to try an American car. I have not been disappointed. In last 4 yrs I never had any maintenance job on this car. I have driven to places like Green Bay from Chicago with heavy snow but the car has done very well. With outside temp of -40 F, the car starts in 1-2 try. I was amazed by it. I dont know about other GM cars but I would surely recommend Malibu to anyone who wants a midsize.

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  Happy,Happy,Happy - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Happy,Happy,Happy - August 22 - 8:19 pm

  My wife and I bought our Blazer used on jan.08. It had 148,551 miles on it, it now has 176,894. We have had only one problem with it (the fuel pump finally went out in it at 176,756). Other then that the rig is great. The 4.3l v6 is by far the best engine I have ever seen in a rig. Its a shame they quit making it. We love the 4x4 system it has, and we like the auto 4x4 option it came with. I wasnt shur I would like the push button 4x4, but I will have to say I am impressed with its ease going in and out of 4x4 mode. In all we couldnt be happier, and we plane on keeping it for a long time.