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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  Stealth 4-door Vette - 1996 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dcarzar - July 17 - 7:07 pm

  I am an enthusiast and love to drive. I did not really need to order a new SS, but I wanted a toy that would be a fun investment. My SS delivered, yeah it was politically correct with lighter & ashtrays room and comfort for both my wife & grandmother in the same trip. My SS has been driven primarily as a highway cruiser, and has driven 300 miles in three hours, on regular gas an gets 25-28 mpg. I only need to pull it out of the garage to turn heads and there is always someone asking me to 1st bidder when I sell.

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  No wonder GM is hurting. - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By E.Crumb - July 17 - 6:16 pm

  I had owned this truck now for 15 months, bought it used with 73000 miles and very disappointed, just about every little thing that could go wrong with this vehicle has gone wrong. Right down to the cheap plastic features that have cracked on the interior, to the faded plastics on the exterior. The rear light housing on both sides have leaked and are in need of replacement will not pass inspection. In the 15 months my service engine light has come on at least 20 times. On an average it has cost $300 to fix. The gas pedal malfunctioned, thermostat, O2 sensors, TPS went twice, stuck two times in NYC with reduced power. Please be advised to look elsewhere if this is the type of SUV you need.

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  Cheap smiles - - 1994 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 94vette - July 17 - 9:37 am

  Ive had my 94 vette for 5 years and driven it around 12K miles. It currently has around 68k miles, and I havent had any major problems - the CD has died twice thats it. It was a $125 repair - if it goes again I will go aftermarket and get Ipod integration bluetooth etc which would be a nice updgrade in an older car. For the price I paid for this car you cant touch the performance, styling and fun factor of this car with anything else out there. Even moving up to a C5 costs a lot more. Makes a great summer toy. Do yourself a favor and find a clean one and you will be happy you took the time and spent a little more. Thats what I did and couldnt be happier (unless I had a new Z06)

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  Great to look at... - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Kerrymel - July 17 - 3:58 am

  Like most cars these days- something major went wrong right after the warranty expired ...the transmission went out. Although I kept up with the maintenance at the dealership/somehow the transmission fluid was black-(sealed pan underneath.)Also airbag lights and tire sensors would not go off. $300 to have a headlight replaced. But a good looking car.

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  VortecMax pkg Rocks!! - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Happy in MI - July 17 - 12:46 am

  I have the LT3 Crew Cab with the 6.0L V8. 345 hp and still get 15 mpg with everyday driving. This is my second Silverado. I had a 2001 LS Ext Cab short box w/5.3L V8 and had 0 problems in the 62,000 miles/3 yrs I had it. This one I have only had a month but I am very pleased with my purchase.

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  problems encountered - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By clarence evans - July 16 - 4:23 pm

  Since purchasing my 2006 Impala, I have have replaced the tires 3 times had the rack and pinion replaced, replaced the water pump, had the steering rod lubed, replaced the tie rod replaced, the passenger door lock wont unlock, and currently the temperature sensors needs to be replaced thus causing the air conditioner not to work...and the driver sun visor needs to be replaced only 63,000 miles on this car to date

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  Its a personal choice - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By elmoresblues - July 16 - 3:48 pm

  For me, this was a great buy. Sure, I could have bought a much better car, but not at anywhere near this price (2008 used , 11k miles, under $12g). I have a bad lower back but I can adjust the drivers seat so that Im comfortable for hours. Mileage is good. Gauge placement is excellent (in my previous sedan, no matter how I adjusted the steering wheel, I couldnt see the speedometer). MP3 connection is a lifesaver on long trips. Visibility could be better. Only 3 cup holders, but I have 5 kids — I cant encourage drinking in the car. I also cant encourage them leaving their belongings, so I enjoy the absence of a storage console. And when Im alone, I can enjoy a quiet ride.

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  2006 HHR chevrolet - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By timothy kozak - July 16 - 3:46 pm

  Very smooth quiet ride,fit and finish very good for a G.M. car, lots of cargo space, great electronics, attractive retro design, recommend the 2LT version, which has bigger engine,stiffer suspension,and other goodies such as automatic with ABS and traction control. Also recommend larger 17 wheels with performance tires and leather seating. Cons, as the New York Times point out, needs a little more power at low end and better corning performance.They also did not like the brakes,but they seem good to me. Also power windows located in an inconvient section in front of gear shift and do not light up at night making them hard to find.All and all a neat little car that is wonderful on the road!

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  Great car ! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Rob O - July 16 - 10:13 am

  This car replaced my fully loaded Olds Intrigue which was totaled last year.I decided to buy a loaded out Maxx for the family which my wife now drives everywhere, and I get to drive her old car (Alero.)This car had some very big shoes to fill and has done so very well.

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  Junk - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Skreamz - July 16 - 2:02 am

  I bought this car back in 2007. it had 21K miles on it. head gasket replaced at 24K miles on it. Master switch for window controls replaced at 28K. Intake manifold gasket replaced at 51K. The motor cuts out at 107mph. GM could have done a lot better with their vehicles. I will buy Japanese next time.