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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  Best car - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By aguzman - March 1 - 2:03 am

  I drive my Maxx 120 miles a day and I enjoy it very much. It handles great, is comfortable, and I get 29 miles to a gallon. Has style and my coworkers really like it. Some of them have gotten themselves one also. A great unit. Wished more people would try it. They would love it like I do.

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  Frequent Repairs - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By critter - March 1 - 12:52 am

  There is not much more to say except that I had multiple repairs on this car just months after I had purchased it. The coolant was coppery tan, needed changed and flushed although it only had 28,000 miles on it to begin with. Horrible, problems from day 1, had to have repairs before the 1st week, drove a borrowed car from dealer.

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  Make more suvs like these - 2003 Chevrolet Tracker
  By summer - February 28 - 10:52 pm

  It is perfect for travel. You sit in this SUV upright so that your back is happy. You can see the road for miles. You can haul most anything on the racks or when you put down the back seats. Low maintenance overall. I want a new one with this is paid off.

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  watch the tranny - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By chris - February 28 - 8:34 pm

  I first bought my Blazer with 61 k on and at 7 years old. Soon had to replace the usual, (tires, brakes, fluids etc). Overall very reliable if you take care of it. Today with 180k I have to put it away as there are serious problems with age even if you take care of it. Last year the tranny went .... 2400... Never been the same since.... But I love the interior, all leather and with the sunroof and electric features it was great. The gas gauge never worked. Now there is a metallic squealing in first gear ( tranny a year old), and the repair shop long gone. I did get use out of it as I travel a lot and far... Have not had front end or ball joint problems but have had rear end issues(axle&seals)

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  But for poor mileage, nice vehicle - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By EMB - February 27 - 11:00 pm

  Seat belt latches placed too inconveniently close to center storage/armrest. Hard to latch up and thus discourages use thereof. Mileage not too good with air conditioning running and AWD. Average about 15 in city driving. Could be better. Visability improved. Storage in rear improved. Comfortable ride and like a passenger vehicle and not a truck. Easy entry and exit. Seating ergonomics good. But, power seat does not have seat back adjustment in power mode. Lack of foresight by engineers. Minor problem but for some short person may be a problem.

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  Very Reliable - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Albert - February 27 - 10:06 pm

  Only my 3rd vehicle(all Chevy) to never have a problem. Put 62000 miles in 54 weeks on this car. changed tires at 45000 miles. Been a surprise as to driving. Due to my financial problems sold 3 Mercedes ,sl55,s55,cl55 and a 2007 corvette. Very surprised the performance and seats did not bother me after coming out of my prior vehicles. Was very bad and only changed oil 1 time and never went in for normal service. oil level never went down even after long quick trips. Gad millage at 85 was 27-29.5. Wind can push this car very easy and had occasionally caused the steering wheel to be knocked out of my hand. Breaks squeaked a lot in the morning

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  But a better car. - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By buzzcut73 - February 27 - 8:18 pm

  I have owned my Maxx since early 2008. I have had many problems with this car. The front end shakes violently when braking (I tried new pads, discs, tires, resurfacing, inspections...etc...) The Maxx has electrical issues with wipers, fuel caps, temp sensors, map sensors, security system, etc... I would recommend considering a different car. I am surprised this car received the accolades that it did, there seems to be no reason to own it.

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  Just an mazing car 9C1 - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By impala fan - February 27 - 6:30 pm

  This car is just amazing. We bought our first impala in 2007. it is a 9C1 impala (police package) with 3.8 L engine and it had 80k m. on it. it is fast, good, reliable, rugged. Now it has about 100 and it still going thank God.

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  You better have that warranty - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Cody - February 27 - 6:22 pm

  steering gear went out, windows vision warped, rotors warped, car interior RATTLES, glove box rattles, exhaust heat shield makes vibrating sounds, steering clunks over dips. Look people this is common for cobalts. Ill be honest, dont buy this car. Great power, and handling but things will break. Its not a maybe. This car isnt a lemon either... this is very common issues. Without the warranty your looking at a big issue. This is a cheaply made car. GM is failing and I dont care because this is what they sell. Go buy a Nissan, dont waste your money for god sake dont make the mistake I did.

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  FUN, FUN, FUN.....needs a tiny tweak. - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By mdillman - February 27 - 5:03 pm

  Overall I love this car - I won the car in a contest and decided before I took delivery the sport coupe was not for me. I test drove 10 cars at least and still could not find anything I liked better than this sporty coupe. Fast, quiet and smooth. Mileage averages 28-30 and the dashboard readout is a nice option. This would be a great car for my teenager, but I dont want to turn it loose!