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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  Good car - 1995 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Terry E. Clayton - June 15 - 1:40 pm

  The car is fun to drive. The gas mileage is not the greatest, but the car does get up and go. Its got great style and good lines. I find it a little hard to get in and out of the car because it sits so low.

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  Review - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jim - June 15 - 1:31 pm

  I bought a used 08 ltz, 6cyl with 21k. I like the look and the fit and finish of the interior with leather. The ride is impressive for a medium size car. The car handles well and the 6cyl pulls very good when asked to perform. I have put 5k miles on it and avg 25.5 mpg with a combination of city and highway driving. Overall I am very impressed with the car and only have two small complaints. One the roof line is very low and getting in and out you have to keep your head down (I am 6ft 1). Two when really pushing down hard on the gas the tires feel like they are in a groove and pull no matter what type of surface your on. Chevy has a winner in the malibu and there are no disappointments.

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  Love in a 95 Impala SS - 1995 Chevrolet Impala
  By 4drvette95 - June 15 - 1:17 pm

  Our 95 Impala SS has been the best car through the years. It was a daily driver for many many years and since our kids have grown and gone it has become our project. We are lovingly restoring it to its previous glory. Ours being black is always and eye catcher and since the paint job even more so. We got tired of fighting the rear quater name decals so when it was painted we had it airbrushed on and clear coated. We just love it!

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  Satisfied Owner - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Mark - June 15 - 7:09 am

  Bought my Tahoe new last October on the 0% interest deal. Truck drives as smooth as can be on the highway. No squeeks, rattles, or loose parts in the interior and I am now at 12,000 miles. It is a bit sluggish for me, but power is good for the vehicle size (nothing a custom tune cant fix). I tend to have a heavy foot, and I am comparing it to the Trailblazer SS I had right before it. This is my first Full Size SUV and I am pleased so far. Feels like I am driving a house on wheels because it is so comfortable to drive. I feel very safe with my wife and baby boy in the car. I can get about 450 miles (mixed driving) to a tank of gas which is excellent in my opinion for a vehicle this size.

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  Very Impressed - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Austin Cali - June 15 - 3:47 am

  The 09 Malibu is fun and sporty yet very economical for my family of 3. I enjoy the clean simple look and the price point is very reasonable. The interior looks sharp however it has a plastic feel about it. Overall, I am very happy with the purchase.

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  Never Buy This Car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Meg - June 14 - 10:22 pm

  I purchased the car in 2008. Been down hill since day 1. W/in the 1st week, the rear passenger window seal was bad, several fuses had to be replaced, the key got stuck in the ignition and the entire steering column was replaced bc it wouldnt lock into gear. Still does it. The glove box rattles, the instrument panel lights dont come on when the headlamps are on. The clock constantly resets itself to 12:00. The trunk now rattles. The plastic interior scratches way too easily. I know its not a Lexus, but GM could have done a better job. Will never buy GM again. All I can say is youll defiantly be using that warranty! Be careful!

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  trouble - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By becky - June 14 - 9:52 pm

  Bought car with 70,000 miles on it. Now has around 100,000. So, far have had to repair fuel tank, alternator, new tires, new brakes, new wheel bearings, new ball joints two batteries, the cd player doesnt work, the drivers window doesnt work, the drivers exterior molding keeps popping up, the passenger side set adjustment handle is broke off, and I am just waiting for more problems. Also, the gas mileage is terrible.

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  This car is JUNK - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Craig - June 14 - 4:36 pm

  I bought it used and I have had it over 5 years. Gas mileage is not bad. The interior is OK. I have put brakes on it nearly every year. The A/C randomly stops working. The blower only works on 3 or higher. I have had coolant leaks. Now, my mechanic tells me there is nothing I can do to keep the engine from overheating. The body underneath the gas cap is rusted though. I have seen this on many Malibus. The turn signals randomly stop working. Dont even think of buying this car, even as a transportation special.

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  satisfied but could be improved - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By dgclrk - June 14 - 1:12 pm

  I have the 4wd work truck and bought it new and have not had any mechanical problems except that sometimes it wont start on first turn off the key and the check engine light comes on periodically though the gas mileage is slightly less than advertised and it is hard to park in a tight space due to it having a 40 foot turning radius

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  Very Reliable - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By James Brennan - June 14 - 11:46 am

  This is one of the most reliable years of the Chevy Suburban, EVER. Mine has 378231 miles and it STILL runs like new.