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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  Love the Mailbu - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Cwayne - June 20 - 4:33 pm

  This is our first "Low priced" car in many years and we are amazed at how well we like it. We cant understand why your "Pros" dont rate this car higher. We find the steering and brakes to be excellent. It is a great size for around town and still does well on the highway. We are thinking about trading one of our other cars for a second Malibu. Everything on our car works as it should and it has never been back to the shop. We like the OnStar, XM radio, remote starting etc. All around good balance. Car is tight and quiet. More than worth the money. Highly recommend it.

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  European Travel - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Smokeysan - June 20 - 11:59 am

  This truck overall has been an excellent vehicle. When I came home from Iraq during R&R I had to replace the brakes. Now I am at 96,000 miles I am having a few minor issues. The speedometer is working off and on and I have a few sensors that are lit. It is letting me know that I need to check the air bag and the tire sensor. Other than that the truck has been very reliable. I drive it daily in Germany and just returned from Holland on a vacation. I will by another Suburban. The only features I wish I had was a navigation with the back up camera.

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  Malibu Stinks - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By EJH - June 20 - 7:42 am

  Bought this vehicle brand new. Did all maintenance by the book, and had like many others--antifreeze leak-- then at just 86K miles the engine blew. Tried to work with GM--no luck--my one regret--I didnt join the class action law suit regarding the intake manifold problem!

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  Uncomfortable ride - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By jim - June 20 - 12:26 am

  I have been driving GM cars for 50 years and they have been good except for this model. Very uncomfortable bumpy riding auto. I have rode in a 2008 Buick which looks about the same on the out side but rides good...I travel for a living and not looking forward to driving this year. Hoping I can pay to upgrade the quality of the vehicle to make it comfortable.

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  Good car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By fully1977 - June 19 - 4:12 pm

  Just took 2 kids and a car-load of stuff on a 150 mile one-way trip 74mph and still got 35.8mpg! "Only" got 30mpg on the return, but that included 3 days of stop & go driving to work.

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  A mixed bag but overall Ive liked it - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Cory H - June 19 - 3:51 pm

  I have the ZR2 off-road package, and overall this has been a dependable vehicle. Reasonably comfortable, low wind noise, rides well (for a 4x4), suspension package was a great investment - have gotten 70k miles w/o uneven wear on tires, fun little SUV for cross-country camping trips. 21 mpg highway, 15 city. It hasnt been without its issues. It does tend to have a lot of squeaks, cheap-o interior plastic doesnt help. The biggest problem I had was having to replace the transmission at 50,000 miles. Did have some premature ball joint replacement also. Heater core went out at about 110k miles, radiator cracked at 140k. Other minor problems such as malfunctioning thermometer and broken fuel ga

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  love my lumina! - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By chevygirl - June 19 - 2:24 pm

  My lumina has almost 122 thousand miles on it and is a 99 model. I have never had any problems about it except I have had to replace my spark plugs. Besides that I have my oil changed every 3-4 thousand miles and its still rolling. I only fill up with gas about once every week and a half. Its not a cool car but it gets me from a to b, and is very reliable!

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  Was red in color-should have been YELLOW - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Mike - June 19 - 2:12 pm

  Bought this on 2/7/09, traded on 6/14/09. Worse care I ever bought. HAd less than 50,000 miles when I bought it and 6 weeks after purchase was hit with a $2700 repair bill. Dealership said sorry, but nothing we can do for you. I know it was a used car but this was ridiculous. Anyone considering an Equinox...think again. Traded for a 2003 Santa Fe GLS with more miles. Runs better and looks better.

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  Awesome Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By awesome1 - June 19 - 10:38 am

  I bought this car with 20,000 miles on it for my wife who is a realtor & it has been excellent. So far the only major repair has been a replacement of the power steering module/motor/output shaft. We now have 120,000 miles on it. We change the oil every 3-4,000 miles & do a pan drop & filter change on the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. We try to never have more than 1 summer season on the transmission fluid as I believe heat is the death of transmission fluid & we live in the Carolinas. My wife is a realtor & she subjects the car to extensive around town driving. We have the LS trim package w/trunk spoiler.

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  Great Car - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lauren - June 19 - 9:57 am

  When I bought my car it only had 28,000 miles on it. It had been sitting for a couple years so it needed new tires, brake work, and air conditioner fluid. Runs great, never has any problems. Drives extremely smooth. I usually get about 28 mpg. It was my first car. Im a junior in high school and Im sure this car will last me well through college.