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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  Time to fix the Impala again : ( - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By dloc - April 5 - 10:35 am

  The Chevrolet Impala, Hmm hmm hmm. Where do I start. The exterior design is boring to say the least. The interior design even more boring. The heater/AC vents have all broken on my car (Thanks GM for really putting some effort into designing this car) I bought this car used in 2007. Right after I bought it the AC broke and the water pump went out. About $500 in repairs. What else is wrong with this car that shouldnt be: The cigarette lighter went out, the rear defroster went out, the back right window stopped rolling up, I had to replace the front wheel bearing assembly. Ohh and now it makes a loud annoying squeaking sound coming straight from the serpentine belt.

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  Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Davidy1965 - April 5 - 10:00 am

  So far its been a great vehicle. Very roomy. It has a nice ride (better that our Buick Century) The drawback is the gas mileage, but with the size and weight of the vehicle, thats to be expected. Also, at highway speeds there is some wind noise.

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  I like my cute fun car! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Liberty - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I was attracted to the outside 0f the Aveo. i am 20yrs old and I was amazed at being able to afford a new car. I have taken it on the highway several times now and easily get 40 mi to the gallon. some of my tall family members have really enjoyed the extra head room of the Aveo, as well as the adaquate leg room. Dont write off the Aveo just yet, look for yourself first!!

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  Like this car alot - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By brbakery - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Nicely designed, sporty, comfortable, very pleasant, and not big at all, but tons of room- and I have no love of cars- they are a necessary expense. Has great standard features I would never get if I had to pay extra. Nice dash, recommend getting power driver seat. Havent gone through my first tank of gas, so not sure about mileage. Hope its good in the snow. Got a great deal with the rebate. Was looking at: Vibes. Previously owned: geo prizms (no frills)

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  Great Chevy Diesel!! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By HB - April 5 - 10:00 am

  My first diesel, and a great one. I am a Hot Shot driver and travel all types of roads and conditions all over the country. It is my home away from home. People come up to me whenever I stop for fuel and start a conversation regarding my truck. The fuel mileage is good, 17 to 18 mpg average. The ride is comfortable. I will purchase another Chevy when this one wears out...many years down the road.

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  My third one - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By klj89 - April 5 - 6:40 am

  My fourth Chevy I have bought. Its reliable and tough. Also its good with gas. I will always buy Chevy

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  manufacture that wont stand by engine - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By miss fire problem - April 5 - 12:00 am

  I purchased a new 2006 chevy trailblazer 4dr ls 6 cyl in 2005. As soon as the warranty is up my check engine lite came on and then went out, and they tell me that I have a miss fire in the head of the engine. I took it into a dealership and they tell me that it will cost me $4,000. for a new head that they wont stand behind because it is not a recall yet. The service writer tells me that they are having this problem in the Colorados too. And that it is a manufacture flaw that the heads they used need new sleeves. In the mid year of 2006 they changed their warranty to a 5 year 100,000 . I have the 3yr 36,000. My blazer has just under 50k miles.

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  Very Happy - lots of potential 5.3 l - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Bob - April 4 - 9:37 pm

  Purchased used with 50K miles. Typical 15 to 18 on the highway. 12 mpg with 16 ft boat. We installed a Hypertech Econ programmer. Boat went to 15 mpg, highway steady 19 to 20 between 60 and 65 mph. Installed a Flexalite electric fan. In my sons words "the fan is sick!" 23 mpg on the highway! Have not towed the boat. Only vehicle in the family that can carry all of us any distance (all over 6). Power increase is noticeable! This thing is within 1 mpg of our Toyota Camry! Why didnt GM build it this way?

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  Comsumer Beware - 2004 Chevrolet Express
  By Disappointed - April 4 - 6:24 pm

  While I like the design of the van especially the exterior look and the rear doors (hinges designed to maximize access/storage)I have been disappointed with the reliability. I have had to replace the fuel pump ($600), the water pump, and one of the side windows fell out, yes fell out ($1000). The mechanic told me (kingman az dealership) there is a design flaw in the fuel pump which manifests itself primarily in higher elevation, hotter climates. He told me that Chevy knows but wont replace them. All these repairs were needed while the vehicle had less than 75,000 miles.

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  My Last Chevrolet - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Tom - April 4 - 4:43 pm

  We were impressed by the looks of the Equinox. We have had no mechanical issues. We have had many other issues, which made me vow that this is my last Chevy. When traveling on the interstate the road noise is awful. The AC noise is really loud also. We had to have two of the rear seatbelt latches replaced because they didnt latch. A strut on the hatch went out. The interior is very cheap. Water stains the seats. When you follow the instructions in the owners manual on how to clean the interior, it just looks worse. Had to buy seat covers to hide the stains.