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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  GM gor it right - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Amazed - November 3 - 5:13 pm

  Bought this car from Budget Car Sales - a lease return at 70,000 Kilometers. 6 months driving & no problems. Budget supplied new premium tires and battery as part of a deal that was better than from new/used GM dealer. Gas mileage around city is an amazing 28 mpg (U.S. gallons)and freeway (interstate 90 from Spokane to Seattle at the posted speed limit 34 mpg. The flow meter on the radio is very accurate.

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  Great gas mileage! - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Sassycat - November 3 - 4:49 pm

  I was driving our SUV to work everyday and got the Cavalier to save on gas. I love this car. Its cute, reliable and definitely performs in the mileage-saving area. On the open road Ive gotten 40-mpg! Ive driven this car solo across the country a number of times and have had no problems. It has about 80,000 miles on it but the interior and exterior still look new after a wash & wax. Had a clogged fuel line that caused problems last year but that has been fixed. A strut bearing needs attention, apparently thats a typical problem, annoying but not critical.

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  Never buying GM again - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Rich - November 3 - 4:05 pm

  34,400 miles after 3 1/2 years and the the air conditioner dies. Find out the compressor is "coming apart internally." Needed a new one at over $900. Car wouldnt start. Found out the circuitry in the fuse box assembly was faulty that needed to be replaced for over $700. Factory parts falling apart because theyre GM junk. No wonder they only offered 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty. Not to mention that the front windshield collects snow so badly you need to clear it out mid-trip because the wipers just funnel it together. Turning radius is hideous as well. Basically a worthless GM vehicle.

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  Gorgeous Ride! - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Steve Harden - November 3 - 10:46 am

  You cant buy more performance for the money. My crystal red metallic tint coat coupe is the best looking car on the road!

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  Had to have a Gotta Have Truck! - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By GeneJB40 - November 3 - 10:00 am

  This truck is awesome! It can pull anything I need to and yet it rides so smooth. It has so many extras that Im still trying to realize the full extent of them. I feel safe and secure in the truck and for good reason. The General has put alot of thought and effort into the safety of this vehicle. The kids love this truck and wanted it more than I did!

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  Satisfied - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By tankslapper - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Performance beyond mere mortals

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  Dont Waste Your Hard Earned Money - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By smokiesmum - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Not only have I had this car in for service at least 10 times, I lost a ton of money in its resale value. The build quality is terrible, half the problems I have had were deemed as "could not duplicate" by the dealership and went unfixed. Now, I am trying to unload this hunk of junk and getting hosed by the resale. This is the fourth Chevy in a row I have owned that has NOT performed well, you would think I would have learned my lesson by now.... Dont make the same mistake I made!!!

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  Surprised by the Quality - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By nmorgan - November 3 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our TB in Feb, 2002, and we have enjoyed it ever since. The engine is more powerful than most V- 8s, the styling is excellent, and it has been very reliable. The gas mileage borders around 20-22, which is just average in my opinion. Overall, it is a wonderful automobile.

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  Certainly not like a Camry - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Pete Z - November 3 - 10:00 am

  The Camry, Altima, and Accord are often comapared to this car. They are not even close! The Avalon is identical in size and comfort. I picked up a nice LS in black with the spoiler and every option for 20K at a special sale. For 12K less than the Avalon, the Impala is the best bargain on the market. Very enjoyable to drive and really nice looking in black.

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  The best mid size SUV - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Choon Lee - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Bought a Suburban Z71 last year and needed a smaller SUV. Compared with Honda Pilot, but this LTZ was far better in performance, value, quality, reliability, and incentives.