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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  College Students first self bought car - 2009 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Weston Baker - August 26 - 5:28 pm

  This car is definitely a good buy for me. I like to have a little space without having to shell out more money for a truck. It has been really reliable for me throughout the first year even though I do routine maintenance.

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  Good at first...! - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Matt - August 23 - 11:50 pm

  I first bought the car and was excited because not too many of them were around. It had a few problems at first covered under my warranty, fuel filter leaked, needed a rear strut. It shifted great at first and now at around 125000 its really rough. Things started to go wrong after the 120000 mile mark. Little things at first, coolant temperature sensor, some of the plastic paneling in the car. Windshield wipers The main problem is the tranny which is very common around 120000 k. Besides that the car is powerful for being a large sedan. 0-60 in about 8 seconds. You can by-pass the governor as well...as soon as you reach the governor quickly put it in neutral and back in to gear, there ya go!

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  SS Fan - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By matt cirafice - August 16 - 11:04 am

  Why this was made to be a front wheel drive vehicle is baffling. I have enjoyed it but the gas mileage is poor and some of the designing is poor. The latch to the hood nudged a hole in my condensor somehow. Very expensive repair ($1200). The vent door actuators are chinese made garbage that constantly fail (there are 4 hidden in the dash) and when one fails it make a loud annoying clicking noise. On the plus side, if you need to pass someone, just press the gas a little bit, 8 cylinders jump into action. Great on road trips.

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  Midsize comfort - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By gkoz - August 14 - 9:20 am

  I was a full-size truck owner looking for something a bit smaller and easier on gas. The Colorado fits the bill. Much easier to park in the Walmart parking lot not to mention my garage. The box might be small for some people but I can get at the things in the back without climbing in. I pull a double ATV trailer and a utility trailer with ease. The 4000# load range is more than enough for my needs. The cab has room enough for four adults and is much more comfortable than my 2002 extended cab GMC Seirra.

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  The Gas Mileage is HORRIBLE - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By KBAA - August 14 - 3:20 am

  If you want to get good mileage then USE your CRUISE! I tried to just keep my speed consistant without cruise control going up a medium sized hill and it was all I could do to stay at my speed....much less accelerate. The car is smooth driving but I would recommend getting this vehicle if you live on flat terrain.

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  Chevy 3500 - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  By Hauwse - August 12 - 11:06 pm

  I cannot say enough about the performance of this truck. Purchased for hauling a 16,00lb 6 horse trailer. I have done 4 2500 mile trips in this truck, basically driving none stop each trip, and never had a single hiccup. Power, braking, etc. are excellent. Pulled through the Rocky Mountains without any drama, basically you forget you are pulling a trailer with this truck. My trailer brakes went out on one trip and it was not an issue with the tow haul mode, and the trucks braking power. The truck pulled a loaded trailer in excess of 85 MPH effortlessly.

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  INTIMIDATORS REVIEW - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By detluv313 - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Well I bought my car in June of 2000. 1- week later I had to take it back because of the vacuum lines. The fuel system is funny you can only put certain types of gas in it. It took my grandfather and myself 3 days to tune the car up, then to find out a day later the plugs and wires were recalled. other than that and replacing a water pump at 62K the car hasnt been to much of a burden. although I think that if you dont keep up the 3.4 with regular service, it will cost you in the end. also the brakes are weak after i leave out of the car wash.

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  18 Months in - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Al Sultze - August 8 - 2:00 am

  All systems work well. Much better all round vehicle than competition; i.e. Camry,etc., etc.

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  18 Months in - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Al Sultze - August 8 - 2:00 am

  All systems work well. Much better all round vehicle than competition; i.e. Camry,etc., etc.

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  Reliable car - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By nascarfan3 - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This has been a very reliable car for me. Had a new transmission put in around 90k because of something very rare. Mechanic had never seen it happen before, just a fluke. Have had no other problems. Still drives well and gets decent gas mileage.