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:

• 

  Good car - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mike - July 5 - 9:39 am

  Comfortable on long rides. Minor things failed that detracts from an otherwise great car. I will definitely buy another one.

• 

  Malibu Falling Apart Slowly - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Malibu not so much - July 5 - 8:56 am

  So when I purchased my car it was in top shape. Now I take care of my car. Never a mile over 3000 without an oil change, I pay to have it cleaned. Now the problem with my Malibu is that the parts to the interior are inferior. The less expensive plastic breaks on dash with the tap of passenger knees. The gas cap sensor has gone out at 55000 miles. I have replaced blinker bulbs on 4 occassions and have only had the car to a little over 1 year. Power and comfort a plus, If only Barbie could see her Malibu now.

• 

  My Malibu LS - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Chevyman - July 5 - 8:49 am

  I purchased my Malibu after a long 3 year battle with my 2001 Saturn L-200. Great car only issue is a slight dash rattle between 50-62 mph other than that its great. Fuel economy is awesome. Great power. Roomy interior. I noticed one individual stated that Chevys are junk and that he was going back to Toyota well go, buy foreign and push our country into more of a recession. This car is a good value no matter what way you look at it.

• 

  Fun Car! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Roger Sinden - July 4 - 9:03 pm

  We bought this for my wifes birthday. We looked at a Saturn Sky, but the HHR is more her style. This thing can run fast, corners like a sports car, rides well, has lots of nice amenities. Will do another review after 10,000 miles. We are getting an average 28.8 mpg with mixed driving. She loves it. So do I. Comfortable for four adults. Only downer so far is the cup holders are inconvenient. We have put about 580 miles on the car, it is so fun to drive it is hard to leave this car home.

• 

  Reduced Engine Power - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Heirborne - July 4 - 7:06 pm

  Bought truck new. Has been fine other than the lousy fuel economy. 260 miles or less per tank of fuel on the highway, so I am not sure how you others are getting such "good" mileage. Have had the Reduced Power / Check Engine warning light come on 3 times in the last month. First time they said it was a bad battery cell, the second time they asked me if it had been jumped off, to which I answered no! Now I wonder what they will blame it on. It is under warranty thank God and either it will be fixed or else. I am not happy right now and would not recommend the truck to any buyer. I had a 98 Ford Ranger that never gave me a problem. And Chevy is wondering why they are hurting? Duh!

• 

  2007 Z71 Crew Cab w/ 3.73 gears & tow pk - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Derek - July 4 - 4:12 pm

  I enjoy my 2007 Colorado Crew Cab Z-71, 4x4. I get about 18 mpg on a tank, with the 5 cyl and Automatic trans (75 - 80mph on highway). Keep in mind I have the trailer towing package and 3.73 gears which are deep. I have the limited slip rear end, so I have a "true" 4x4. I dont think 18 mpg is too bad for a truck like this. One tank I got 20+ mpg. Its solid, well build, far and away better than the S10 (which I also owned). Unlike the S10 my Colorado is comfortable enough to use for those 1,000+ mile trips. I just wish Chevrolet was bright enough to offer the diesel engine, which is available in the Isuzu 370...only in Japan but, it is the same truck as the Colorado and Canyon.

• 

  What S10 - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By lilgas69 - July 4 - 1:19 pm

  i had to let my S10 go due to penny pinching. but I loved the truck. I did not expect the Colorado to be as good as it is but the 2.8 is great for mileage and power and the sound system is the best stock I have heard yet.

• 

  Great SUV value - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By PJ Miller - July 4 - 10:52 am

  I have owned two TrailBlazers and both provided great ownership. This latest vehicle is an LT model (the previous one was an LS) and we really like the added features. We have leather and a sunroof, and the 17-inch wheels. The color is Moondust metallic and is really a nice color (doesnt show the dirt as much). We also have the OnStar and XM radio options which are wonderful. This vehicle provides a nice ride and good utility with the rear seats down. I avg. about 18.2 MPG in town and 19.9 MPG on the hway. at 70 MPH (higher MPH the MPG decreases). For an SUV this size and comfort I dont consider that too bad. I have regular maintenace done and have had no issues with both TrailBlazers.

• 

  Z71 a SUV sports car - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Ed Thomas - July 4 - 10:00 am

  We chose the Z71 because it fulfills a wide spectrum of requirements. It can go off road, if has a third seat for extra passengers, its suspension is stiff behaving like a sports car during hard cornering, it has good acceleration and payload capacity, and finally, at least an aceptable fuel usage.

• 

  Big Lemon - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By lonebull - July 4 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is totally unreliable due to excessive and severe electrical/computer problems that Chevrolet cannot fix. The Duramax diesel is not as economical as my Ford 7.3l Diesel. The salesperson lied when he said the Duramax diesel will not "stink" like a Ford. It does!!!!