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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  The Car That Couldnt - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jackdaniels80 - July 1 - 3:11 pm

  My very first car, bought at 18 year olds. I still love this car despite it being written off last year. Purchased at 200,000 Km, had major issues all around. Crazy sounds from dash. Head gasket blew, never did it professionally fixed, I just didnt care at that point. Felt like it would stall when reversing, idle was so rough, had 2 tune-ups, nothing fixed it. Steering wheel was stiff, felt like power steering was blown. Alternator snapped off the engine mount. Right front end snapped with the control arm. Transmission kicked all the time. Daytime running lights only worked when they wanted to. Fog lights didnt work regardless of bulb change.

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  Loved the Blazer - just traded - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Lynda - July 1 - 1:32 pm

  I just traded mine it had 115,000 on it. It never left me stranded any place! General maintenance only - batteries, (Texas is hard on batteries) oil, transmission fluid and new tires. Only thing I did not like was that the belt squeaked all the time. Interior was extremely comfortable, air / heat worked great always! Visibility great as well. I was ready for something different after nine years only reason to trade. This one will go 200K no question.

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  Way to Go Chevrolet - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Derek - July 1 - 10:29 am

  I recently purchased an 08 Cobalt LS brand new after owning a 1999 Chrysler Sebring Lxi Conv. for 9 months. That car stunk, but this car is great so far. I love the handling and the acceleration, even for an automatic like mine. For a 4 popper, you simply cannot beat it. The car is stylish and bold with many nice features. The engine sounds like a Honda. What blew me away was, however, the performance. I thought that it would have decent acceleration and good handling, but this car, even being the basic LS model, has terrific performance. Driving home from the lot I wanted to try it out, and a guy in a tricked out 07 GTI wanted to go and he enjoyed a view of my tailpipe.

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  I love my BOO - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By smbmp - July 1 - 2:29 am

  I purchased a 2004 Malibu in March of 08. It had 3400 miles on it at the time. I love my car it havent given me any trouble yet. Hopefuly it wont any time soon. Since I got it I have only had to do the normal things like oil and brakes. Oh I cant get my gas cap to stay on. The only thing I dont like about these cars is there front end is ugly. They look like bugs. The car has plenty of power and great handeling once you get use to the torque steering. I think it was wort every penny I paid for it

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  Awesome - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Lou c - June 30 - 8:46 pm

  You simply cannot go wrong. I have owned 7 Corvettes. Every model from C- 1 to C-6 are beautiful. But the ZO6 is simply one of the best cars ever made. It has stunning looks and great performance. Cannot park or drive it without people commenting on its beauty. This car is second to none.

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  Great small pickup - 2008 Chevrolet Colorado
  By New vehicle - June 30 - 6:52 pm

  I bought a 2.9 automatic, extented LT cab with door locks and upgraded seats. I debated between buying a Tacoma and the Colorado. I favored the Tacoma, but the seat in the Tacoma convinced me to buy the Colorado with an elec seat. The 2.9 engine is not underpowered as Consumers Reports and other want to tell you. The 29 downshifts less frequently than the 3.5 Terrazo and 4.2 F150 I drove previously. On a 400 mile trip, at 60 mph, on state highways through some small towns, I averaged 27 mpg. It is solid and fun to drive. it is attracting compliments regarding its appearance. It is free-wheeling and coasts a lot around town. That saves on gas. The bed-liner came standard with the pickup.

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  great car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By hud - June 30 - 9:50 am

  Had it for a year now and a great car with lots of power. 33 EPA and lots of fun to drive. Fairly loaded for $14000

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  Just decent - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mhermes - June 30 - 6:39 am

  After two years, this truck has proven dependable and still in good shape. We drive it off road regularly because we live off road, and it hasnt yet developed squeaks or rattles. 6 cyl engine provides enough power to pull a trailer and averages 17 mpg for combined use. Problems after 33,000 miles: passenger window sometimes sticks, rear window washer hose lose, read door gasket sags. Overall, meets our expectations.

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  GM Performance Division - Great Job! - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By dwbartlett - June 30 - 1:07 am

  The SS has received good if not excellent reviews. I had to drive it myself. After comparing the SS to others in its class, its American built perfomance won it for me. Priced under 25,000 the SS is great bang for the buck. Ive only driven mine for a few hundred miles and it has delivered all I have expected. Acceleration, handling and braking have all come easily from the well bolstered bucket seats. Each element of the vehicle has been well thought out from ergonomics to perfomance, nothing seems out of place or missing. From bumper to bumper this vehicle has delivered.

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  Last Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Gregory - June 29 - 9:09 pm

  My Impala is a fun car to drive, but not a fun car to own. So far the tire monitor system has died twice after being repair or replaced (under warrenty). The remote start receiver has to be replaced. The steering shaft had to be repace because of looseness in the steering. The seat risers had to be replaced because the driver seat became loose. All of the repairs were done under warrenty but tire monitor system just died again and the warrenty ran out. This is going to be my last Chevy. Back to the Toyota, Honda, or Nissan. Dont like fixing and paying for a car at the same time.