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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  Best car I have ever owned! - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Greg Munyon - July 23 - 9:50 pm

  I love the the car what more can I say! Chevy has hit it on the mark. I had several Toyotas and was a bit worried about going to a Chevy, but no regrets here at all. I bet if more people test drove this car there would be a ton more sold!

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  could be better - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jim and valerie - July 23 - 8:37 pm

  at 62000 miles the transmission has developed. that has me worried, after having a Ford Taurus and a Dodge Caravan both developed leaks and major problems at around 65000 miles. so you see it seems to be an American car company problem not just Chevy. gas mileage is extreme. around 20 highway and 13 city in two wheel drive. lock in 4-wheel drive and it drops to 10 or less. my v-8 ford pickup does better by far.

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  Very Dependable - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Gurnis - July 23 - 8:04 pm

  Ive made a lot of repairs to my Blazer in the 13 months I had it. But this was due mostly to lack of care by the previous owner. So far Ive replaced the radiator, both hub assemblies, alternator, brake pads (front & rear), 4 new tires, new muffler and just recently replaced the trans fluid and screen. Overall, Ive found the repairs not too difficult and the parts are cheap compared to foreign makes. The tires were the most expensive hit to my wallet so far. The OEM muffler was the only part I thought too expensive, so I went with an aftermarket muffler instead. Anyway, I would recommend a Blazer to anyone. Its a tough, go anywhere vehicle that really comes through when it counts most.

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  Great car, but surprised by rust - 2009 Chevrolet HHR
  By DavB - July 23 - 10:32 am

  What a great car. Have driving many rental HHRs, so buying one what a no brainer. Love the fuel mileage and the car is really comfortable. I was taking back by rust forming in 3 of the 5 doors. Both front doors and the hatch back door formed rust on the bottom inside edge. The car is only 8 months old and only has 11000 miles on it.

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  chevy tahoe - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By g lo - July 23 - 10:00 am

  i purchased my chevy tahoe in july 2001 . since then i have enjoyed this vehicle to the max.i have had only on minor problem,which was my rear ac divider(in head liner)which was covered under warrenty.i have took my vehicle through the mountains and city and have loved every minute of it .i recomend the tahoe with the third row(fun for kids)and is removable.

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  Early Production 03 Z71 - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By JoeMax - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Overall this is a wonderful truck. I love the size and comfort, in both the front and rear. Plenty of cargo space. Wasnt even on the market for a new truck. Drove by my local dealer and the had one out front, fell in love with the exterior styling. At the time of purchase, the 3rd row seat was not available in Z71 (it is now). One tap on the dashboard, it just reeks cheap!!!

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  Much Satisfied - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bryan Phillips - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Great Truck. Driven many others at I would take this one every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Plenty of Muscle as well. If you put about a grand into the 5.3 engine you will be smoking Ford Lightings in no time.

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  Substandard Air conditioning - 2010 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Mike Ryan - July 23 - 8:03 am

  I liked the car until I got into the heat of the summer. When two or more people are in the car the AC doesnt cool the car when you are doing stop and go driving. I live in Las Vegas and the car is uncomfortable in the afternoon heat. The dealership told me that that is the way it is! My gas mileage has dropped to 25 mpg. The sight lines are surprisingly poor also. The large support columns block a lot of your vision.

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  Not all its cracked up to be - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Yvonne M. Spencer - July 22 - 11:10 pm

  From day one, I have had nothing but problems. Needed new struts and mounts almost immediately, then it was blown fuses in the front cigarette lighter which in turn caused the small car light with a wrench in it to come on in the dash display (was told this was a short r/t the cigatette lighters blown fuse), and then the pump in the windshield washer compartment is shot and I need a new one. When I back up and turn the wheel hard to the right the car makes this awful groan noise, but they say nothing is wrong. This is all within the first few months of owning the vehicle. Cannot wait to dump this junk.

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  Disappointed with Traverse interior - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By unhappy owner - July 22 - 9:51 pm

  We just purchased the Traverse last week. I am very disappointed in the ride and the design of the seats. I feel every bump in the road. The headrest on the seats points forward such that I hit my head on it with every bump. There is no way to adjust it or the seat to stop this from happening. The compartment on the dash board is worthless - too small to store much of anything and right in the sun to get hot. The back up camera is a necessity because you cant see much with the rear view mirror.