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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  Mixed Feelings - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Jessica - June 10 - 1:43 pm

  Not sure where to start...had my Cobalt for less than a month when I heard a horrible rattling noise. Took it to the dealership only to find that the windshield had been installed upside down and had to be replaced. Got the car out of the shop. Drove it for two weeks and started hearing a horrible noise in the front end. Two compressors later, and I still hear a bug zapper like sound when I run the heat or the air. Dealership swears that they cant hear it, but everyone else who has ever been in the car has commented on it. The car drives okay, but honestly, has been in the shop way to often for a brand new vehicle. As the owner of both an 07 Cobalt and an 07 Malibu LS, Im unhappy w/GM!

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  Typical GM Quality Product - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Tom Bates - June 10 - 12:00 pm

  Things held together for the first 36,000 thousand miles. Door hinge pins fell out right at the time the warranty ran out. Then slowly things have been breaking and falling apart. A seat adjustment lever here and there a blower motor, here a short, there a short, gas gauge stuck on 3/4 of a tank. The A/C has one speed and that is on. At least it is working, so does the cigarette lighter.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By RichInNJ - June 9 - 10:41 pm

  Got to say I am almost in shock with how happy I am with this car. The 4 has got more pep than I expected its ultra quiet the attention to detail is fantastic the layout and interior are two thumbs up and the overall value is tremendous! Vs. the new Accord - I had rented the new Accord and this hands down just handles the road better and the interior is way ahead. Vs. the new Camry - While I like the Camrys exterior design better, I would give both cars equal rating for the interior however you cant beat the Malibus overall value. Very happy with my choice neighbors are a bit shocked I bought a Chevy based on my prior car, but are praising it and pondering one for them.

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  Needs work - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By aplus32 - June 9 - 6:55 pm

  Okay, lets start with whats good about the car. The stereo KICKS. Also like the standard chrome rims, and the apparent attention to detail taken with the design interior. A full tank of gas lasted me SEVEN DAYS, and when I went to fill it up, I still had a quarter of a tank to go. Thats just awesome. Now, the bad. First of all, whos idea was it to put such a tiny armrest in the vehicle?!? I am short, so I have to pull the seat up. I managed to be able to rest the very tip of my elbow on the darned thing, and had to rest my hand on the floor shift. Floor shift not necessary if vehicle is automatic. Suspension needs work, could HEAR and feel every bump hit while driving.

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  My Avalanche - 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Robert Deevey - June 9 - 5:44 pm

  I owned an 04 avalanche, and found it to be the most useful vehicle I had ever owned. Took advantage of the GM situation and purchased an 09. Moving from a larger metro area to the country setting I have found that the avalanche has proven to be useful not only as a full size truck hauling materials, and its comfort can not be matched. With almost 100K mile on the 04, I never experienced any problems with the vehicle. I expect the same for the 09. The vehicle has a first-class appearance, which adds to the fun of driving it. My friends like when we use the Avalanche for long trips, because of its comfort.

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  Chevrolet Impala - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By JLehm1545 - June 9 - 1:10 pm

  I really love the car. It is on of the most comfortable cars that Ive ever driven.

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  Excellant LTZ, 4 cylinder, 6 speed - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By don lee - June 9 - 1:04 pm

  I like the amenities of the LTZ and especially the performance and fuel mileage of the 4 cylinder, 6 speed transmission. Its now 1 year and 9,500 miles old. My driving is stop and go in town and freeway around metroplex. The red jewel exterior turns heads everywhere and it has performed flawlessly. Its a great little car and one Chevrolet should be proud of.

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  Not pleased with this one - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Got a lemon - June 9 - 11:40 am

  Im not very pleased with my 2005 Monte Carlo. I would love to get rid of it, but it has not held its resale value and I owe too much on it. I have owned it for 3 years and it has been in the shop and been worked on 7 times. The belts an pulleys keep breaking. The steering shaft has also went out on it. I work from home and do not drive it everyday and it has been well maintained it only has 28,000 miles on it for a 3 year old car. My dash is also coming apart. I will not buy another one and I will be getting rid of this one as soon as possible.

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  Problem after Problem - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By cdowning - June 9 - 12:14 am

  Broken the day driven off the lot. Now been in the shop 8 times for various problems. PCM/BCM issues biggest trouble. Transmission rebuilt, and still the whole front end sounds like its about to fall apart. Terrible resale value. GM no help.

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  Expensive Mechanical Nightmare - 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By smp - June 8 - 8:11 pm

  Paid $47000 including a $3000 extended warranty. Drove for 3 1/2 years before it needed a new radiator and transmission-$4000. Radiator cracked and fluids were mixing. Also found out the ext warranty co. went bankrupt so not only are we out $3000 for warrant but another $4000 for the repair. Now 9 months later needs another $1000 repair, the transfer something or other. Drive switches from 2WD to 4WD at random and no one can find anything wrong with it. Speedometer breaks at random for a few days, usually on a trip, then starts working again. Will NEVER purchase a GM vehicle again. Biggest hunk of junk ever. Fun to drive but a mechanical nightmare.