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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  Gas mileage less than when new - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Calvin Bowlin - October 30 - 7:23 am

  Had a water leak in the cab due to improper vent installation from factory, lots of wiring issues from water damage, fuel mgt. system robs power and does improve mpg, truck averaged 18-21 mpg for the first 6-8 months. now averages 15.3 hwy with cruse set at 65mph, 13-14 overall. Previously had a 2004 with 5.3 engine that got 19mpg on hwy at 80,000 miles, 2004 was much stronger hauling hay and a boat, 2008 5.3 runs at 211-212 degrees. Seems too hot for just going down the road empty. I am not convinced GM has improved the truck over previous body style. rear bumper is nothing more than stamped sheet metal, very cheap,

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  Bad Bad Van - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Wood6 - October 29 - 8:08 pm

  When we first got our van it was in the winter. We did not know that it did not have rear air. I have 4 boys and this is our only vehicle. I had to put a fan between the seats just so they can get cool. The brakes keep on being replaced. I had to get new rear tires because of the way the edges on one side were bad. The rear passenger door makes creaking sounds when the van is in motion, and there is some loud rubbing or grinding sound from the back passenger side. Sometimes the DVD player will not even play new DVDs. I hate this van. We can not trade it in because the value has dropped so much since GM is no longer making it, and it can not be refinanced.DO NOT BUY!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Horrible - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Never Again - October 29 - 11:21 am

  I bought this car in 2004 new with maybe 500-1000 miles on it. They had to replace the dashboard, carpet, starter and thermostat while it was still under warranty. Now that it is not and I own it, it is falling apart. I have just replaced the thermostat and now they are saying it may need a new radiator.

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  Worse car I could have purchased - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Gentletouch - October 28 - 7:00 pm

  I purchased my TB new with 21 miles on it. Two months later my computers went out. I blew the horn and the car died. Took a week for the dealership to figure what was actually wrong with the truck, and took another week and a half to fix it. I have a funny noisy from the wheels now when I back up. Dealer said it was rocks and it would go away, but it didnÂ’t. The stabilitrack light comes on all the time for no reason. When I went to trade the TB in the value on it is next to nothing. I wouldnÂ’t recommend this care to anybody.

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  Dont drive in a state that gets SNOW!! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Kimberly - October 28 - 2:05 pm

  This is not a good vehicle for driving in snow. It gets hung up in drifts and is too light to get thru deep snow. I did like all the room when the seats are down and they fold perfectly flat. Extra storage compartments were nice.I dont understand why the window controls arent on the doors and the cups holders are so far back.

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  POWER STEERING - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By TODD W. - October 26 - 8:00 pm

  The Cobalt is a fun car to scoot around town but the reliability of this vehicle severely lacks the dependability that a Chevy product should have. This is the 2nd time Ive had to put vehicle in shop because of the power steering problem. If dealership cant fix the problem, why dont they admit to it and possibly buyout the vehicle or offer a refund on balance of loan - to put toward another vehicle (not GM). This continuing problem has changed my mind about GM products (not to the better).

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  Reliable - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By brucep - October 26 - 5:30 pm

  Original Owner. Roadworthy, reliable, midsize sedan. Low mileage for its age (133,700). Good tires and cold A/C. Graphite exterior and interior. Matching color original Alloy wheels.

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  Fuel hungry Duramax - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By CGullett - October 25 - 11:53 am

  My 05 crew cab,short box,4x4,Duramax is a pretty good truck, except for the fact that it gets 10-11 mpg @75 mph.Seems all 05s are having this problem while the 02-04s are enjoying 18-19 mpg.The worst thing is that after spending over $44,000, Chevrolet admitts they have a problem but have no fix and dont seem to be to worried about fixing the problem.

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  not likeng so far - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By POS - October 23 - 3:48 pm

  Rides and drives good. Dont use it for towing just normal driving. I have had it for about 9 months and have 116,000 on it. It had 106,000 when I got it. I have spent about 800 dollars on it (02 sensors,idler arm,Pitman arm,still needs tie-rods and balljoints + had exhaust work done twice.) and now it is in the shop again. The cam gear and distributor gear are bad. about 1,700 for parts and labor. $850 just for parts. Cant wait to git it fixed. Might make a good trade-in for something else. This is not a good dependable vehicle. Would not recommend unless u have money to burn!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Average, not all its touted! - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By John - October 20 - 8:15 am

  Bought this car when it first came out, there were only 3 on the lot to choose from. Gas mileage is no where close to the commercials. Too small, if you have children, stay away from this car. one car seat and thats about it for the back seat. one stroller in the trunk and no more for the trunk. have been to shop on numerous occasions for brake issues, was sat down by the shop manager and told, "thats just how it is, sorry." Cannot wait til lease ends to get rid of it! will not buy a GM again, first and last experience!