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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  GMs Electrical Nighmare - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By buffalolaw - September 23 - 12:08 pm

  I drove past the vehicle on the lot for a couple of weeks. I couldnt wait to own it. Unfortunately, it has not been kind to me. Reduced engine light comes on frequently. It has been to the dealership 6 xs to get repaired for that. They replaced numerous electrical components only to tell me they are not sure what the problem is. The driver door module works when it wants to, so sometimes the door doesnt lock. The memory seat works when it wants to. Other than that, replaced suspension parts, and fuel sending unit. All of this happened from 50,000 to 90,000. Cant wait to get rid of it!

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  Disappointed - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By disappointed - September 23 - 8:18 am

  I am not sure if I am driving the same vehicle as everyone else, but I am not impressed. Very cramped interior and it is ridiculous if you try to put three people back there unless they are all under 50lbs. Not roomy! Gas mileage not great. Turning radius is very poor, like parking a 18-wheeler. Window noise is absolutely horrible as well as road noise. Tires spin out in rain and it is horrible in the snow. Would not recommend. Cheaply made and designed.

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  Great but - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Fox - September 23 - 6:51 am

  I have about 2500 miles on the car now. Just returned from a 1400 mile road trip. Trip computer said 32.8 mpg Actual 33.2 mpg. Mostly hwy driving between 65 and 70 mph. I like everything about the car except for the following. Keep in mind I traded in a 2003 Accord. The 6 spd. tranny shifts smoothly 90 percent of the time. It jerks unpredictably the other 10 pct. Once the motor even raced between gears! I will be taking it in to the dealer for this. There is a definite color mismatch between the bumpers and body. I will probably live with it because I dont want to risk paint problems

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  Can you say battleship Yamoto - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By cifey - September 23 - 1:38 am

  I bought it new in 2000 with cash from my first real job, tired of driving economy cars in school. I liked the smooth ride on the highway, decent turning radius and fuel economy for a truck. Large rims, nice interior, very modern design for the time. I drove a girlfriend around in it for a couple of years, that was pretty sweet. Currently has 95k, girls are afraid of it. Ive broken down on the road only twice so far. Things that went wrong... passenger seat handle -- warranty battery (almost drowned me in tropical storm allison) -- warranty dirty fuel injectors -- warranty battery again -- paid fuel pump -- $800 for the part busted radiator -- $300

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  Great Machine - 2009 Chevrolet Corvette
  By ballistix - September 23 - 1:16 am

  Bought my 09 Cyber Gray coupe three weeks ago. Equipped with 3LT, Z51, NPP, 6 sp, 2 tone ebony/titanium interior and forged polished wheels - this car is very fast and refined compared to my C5 ZO6. Fantastic engine -torque like a train and always just a toe tap away. Clutch is very smooth and shifter is much more refined. Interior is more polished than past generations. Car is very quiet and smooth inside without tire rumble. In fact, I could stand to hear that beautiful exhaust of the NPP all the time rather than just above 3500rpm (where is that fuse?). Absolutely a great ride and a best buy compared to the other vehicles in its class.

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  Love my Malibu! - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Nano49 - September 22 - 3:41 pm

  I bought my car after renting one from Hertz because I loved the way it handled. Im 6 tall and cant get into just any vehicle comfortable. With the seat pushed all the way back I have plenty of room and my head doesnt scrape the ceiling. I have over 170000 miles on my Malibu now and its still going strong. Have an ongoing problem with the A/C compressor cutting off and weve replaced the water pump. The oil is changed regularly and I am careful where I buy gas (also had a problem with bad gasoline). Overall, Id recommend this car to anyone whos interested in good gas mileage and a fun ride.

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  Great Family Hauler - 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Big Papa - September 22 - 3:08 pm

  Bought our Suburban used with 57k at a Mercedes dealership for my family. Truck started up and sounded like it was brand new. Driving down the freeway is smooth! Spacious interior, able to fit the stroller and a portable playpen plus anything else we need to bring with us. Both my kids are in carseats so we have them in the 2nd row captains chairs and we still have the 3rd row for 3 more passengers when needed!

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  Love My Impala - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By springtulip108 - September 22 - 1:31 pm

  We bought this car used with 32,000 miles and now I have over 122,000. Never had any problems except with rotors. Love this car. We are starting to look for something with less miles but wish I could buy this car over again (dont like the design of the new Impalas).

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  Absolute Lemon - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Al S - September 22 - 1:17 pm

  This has got to be the worst car experience ever. We bought this car which was a cream puff. Low original miles on what was verified a local use car or "grocery getter" The car had about 35000 miles and looked and sounded smooth as silk. The first week of our owning the car showed what a disaster this car was. In that time we spent $900 for wheel bearing, directional switch, ignition lock cylinder failure. Two years later, intake manifold gasket failure ($400). That led to the cam shaft bearing failure which meant new engine ($3000). Now after all said and done, a P1870 transmission component slip (possible new trans?) Just one bad design after another! Goodbye American cars!

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  First new car in 20 yrs - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By scott - September 22 - 12:26 pm

  This is the first brand new car Ive purchased in 20 years. I just had to get one. love it! The look, the ride, the gas mileage, all of it. Could not be happier.