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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  Chevy = Hype - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Cameron - January 31 - 3:19 pm

  I have always driven Fords with very little trouble. Everyone suggested I "upgrade" to Chevrolet. After owning one I can say it will be my last. I replaced the fuel pump at 70K. At 80K the speedometer cluster quit working (very common on this vehicle). Also at 80K the transfer case went out. Should I mention the electrical problems? Power doors work intermittently, windows sometimes dont roll down. When it runs, I like it. But, it spends just as much time in the shop and for a 43K vehicle, its not worth the trouble. Im going to get rid of it and get a reliable SUV. Im convinced that Chevy is simply hype. I havent exactly been blown off of my feet.

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  Could be cheaper to maintain - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Would I do it again? - January 31 - 11:59 am

  Rebuilt transmission $2,500, replaced steering rack $800. Rear brake adjusters seem not to work well on this model which causes high front brake wear. Have put two sets of rotors on and many pads on front. Have replaced the water pump twice. Due to the way the water pump is driven from the timing chain. It has a long shaft. That is subject to a high side load on the front bearing from the oil pressure activated chain tensioner .Chevy dealer here wants $800 plus to do the repair. Spring rates on the front struts are high which causes the front shocks ride at a extended height that causes early front shock failure. Replaced 3 sets. The car now has 166k and still going

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  Big Bang For The Bucks - 2009 Chevrolet Impala
  By Robert Couture - January 31 - 10:48 am

  I replaced my 2004 Pontiac Bonneville with this Impala on 1/13/09. This car is a great value for the price, lots of nice options. Handles very well in the snow or on dry pavement. Build quality is high. This car provides roomy, comfortable, economical and reliable transportation.

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  TrailBlazer SS - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Darkhell - January 31 - 9:52 am

  The hands down best SUV I have ever driven. I have never been a fan of buying new cars until the day I drove to the dealership to test drive something fast just for the fun of it. Months went by and I couldnt get that car out of my head. Its the comfort of one of a luxury SUV, hands down best looking SUV on the market and is powered by the 400hp ls2 corvette motor. Not sure if you want one? No harm in just test driving one.

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  Buy a Ford - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dowman - January 31 - 8:46 am

  With 3200 miles on this truck, the doors rattle so bad I need ear plugs. Dealership has no fix for this problem. Fuel gauge sensor broke, two chrome door handles had to be replaced. and the fuel management system is a joke, noise in the drive train after normal braking. No more GM products for me, very disappointed with the quality of this vehicle.

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  Great Car! - 1996 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Jardaz - January 31 - 8:29 am

  Awesome car. I have had mine for 3 years. I havent had any huge problems just the basic maintenance. The car has gone from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia to the outskirts of NYC more times than I can remember. Gas mileage is good and a very dependable car. I wish Chevy still made them. If you come across one and youre looking for a used car, consider it. Its the best car I have ever owned

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  Original 5 year owner comments - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By M.K.U. - January 31 - 5:35 am

  I have owned and driven this Corvette for almost 5 years. There is really nothing as much fun as a top down cruise in this car. This car was a daily driver for the first 2 years and then a weekend garage queen since then. No issues or problems just routine oil changes. 33,000 miles and loving every minute.

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  Another great Chevy truck - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By NoOneSpecial - January 30 - 1:22 pm

  This is my fourth Chevy truck (2 Silverados, 1 Tahoe previously). They just keep getting better. I have never had any problems with any of them. The Suburban is by far the best. I have the Z71 package and love it. It is great for our large family either around town or on longer trips. Now if I can just get my wife to get one. (She is still not confident driving such a large vehicle.) If you need a large SUV, this is a great one.

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  Poor engineering in abundance - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By twomacho - January 30 - 12:38 pm

  Bought new - lots of price incentives - good initial reports, including CU. GM just doesnt get it. Poor brake / rotor design - expensive to fix. Flasher problems should have been a recall - hard to get at - poor design. Radio buttons show "wear" - mats slip - ash tray comes out doesnt go back in easily. Glove box opens - bottom falls out. Just the kind of garbage you never see in a Toyota or Honda who "sweat the details". GM deserves to go under - they have had years to get it right and disappoint.

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  148,000 and still rolling - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By JRB - January 30 - 8:30 am

  Bought my 1998 Chevy Prism in fall 99 and it is still rolling after all these miles and 10 plus years. I have taken care of it and it still runs great. I have done regular work on it, and every vehicle needs this. Battery, starter, alternator, tires, brakes, oil changes, etc. I have heard these things will push 200k and still roll on. We will see and I will run this until it dies.