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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  Used 2004 Colorado Crewcab 2WD 2.8L/M5 - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By meangreen94z - June 24 - 10:58 pm

  Bought this used with 49K miles 5 months ago, now has 55k miles. The guy that traded it in thought the truck had electrical issues because blower speeds 1-3 would cut out and the CD player wouldnt eject. I bought the truck with little fear being that Im a technician. Tracked the blower issue down to a loose connection at the connector on the blower resistor. The CD drive was jammed with crumbs/dust, and just needed to be cleaned and lubed. Fixed both at a cost of $0 (probably $500 otherwise) and the truck has been great since. No leaks anywhere and still feels solid. I average 21 in the city, and 25-26 on the highway with the 4 cylinder/M5 combo.

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  My Chevy - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By My Chevy - June 24 - 8:50 pm

  I never expected to drive this car to over 194,000 miles, but its amazing what you can do when you change the oil every 3,000 miles. Ive had the fuel pump replaced, 2 fuel injectors replaced, and the alternator replaced. Not bad for this many miles. Never had a problem with starting it up, even in the dead of winter. But the best thing is probably that I can still get up to 33 mpg on the road. And thats with a 6-cylinder 3.1 liter engine!

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  So Disappointed - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By So So disappointed - June 24 - 3:57 pm

  Purchased this vehicle used, had looked up car fax info and researched mileage. Guess what Im only getting 19 mpg in the city, its a good thing I only work 5 miles away. The car has a nice build and I cant find anything else I dont like about the car. Im just disappointed in its performance. Ive had other used vehicles with a V8 that gave me 22 mpg in the city. Ive taken it back to be serviced and Im told theres nothing wrong it must be my driving habits. Ive only put about 500 miles on this vehicle.

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  I regret buying my Tahoe. - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By walt2364 - June 24 - 3:46 pm

  At 45K miles, the vehicle is in the shop for its second transmission rebuild (first occurred at 29K). Dealer initially told me that a loaner would not be available, but after a call to the service manager, they provided me with a Cobalt. The vehicle does not make good use of its interior space. 3rd row seats offer no room for passengers or storage behind. Overall, I couldnt be more dissatisfied with this purchase.

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  Great except for tires - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Mary - June 24 - 12:49 pm

  I love my Uplander, it has almost 95,000 miles on it in three years. I have had problems with the tires wearing and was told I needed to rotate every 6000 miles (have never done w/any other vehicle I owned). I am on second set of tires and having flat spots even when rotating every 6000-15000 miles. The plastic pieces on the outside have black nicks and look awful (I live in the country w/dirt roads). I have had to bring it in twice in three years and problems were fixed right the first time. I would like better gas mileage, I get 23 MPG. It does need a middle console though, I hate that shelf thing they have.

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  Safety First - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Donnie - June 24 - 12:34 pm

  This car was designed with safety as its priority! I just got my Cobalt, and already I have the controls memorized! By looking at the great gas mileage, and the simple but stunning interior, you can tell this car was made by a practical on-the-go person. Dont let the small size fool you! This car has the most cabin room Ive seen in a sedan! Not to mention the vast trunk room! Great, great car! you get every dime out of it!

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  Incredible - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By heckandarn - June 24 - 12:27 pm

  I have the 3.5L V-6. I have to tell everyone something. I have never owned a car that would get 39.9 mpg on the highway at 65 mph before. I do now! As incredible as it may seem, thats what I get on a long trip with the cruise control on. With the 200hp v-6 its very fun to drive! Its been a long time since Ive been in a car of this quality, at this price! Its exciting!

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  Worst car buying decsion ever - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jason Brit - June 24 - 12:13 pm

  Had an excellent experience the frist few months then all the problems began causing a lemon law to be filed. Brakes repaired 4 times, radio replaced, speakers replaced, leak around gas tank, ignation replaced and power outlets not connected (replaced). Dealing with GM has been and is one of the most difficult and fustrating experiences I have ever had. Needles to say I will never buy another GM and will encourage anyone else to do the same.

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  Best family car ever - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Michael - June 24 - 8:46 am

  We just bought this SUV, upsizing as our 3 young kids get older and want to bring friends along. We live in a very snowy area and need AWD and were not thrilled with the idea of the Toyota Sienna. We looked at the Pilot, MDX, Highlander, etc. and were wholly unimpressed. Drove and bought this SUV the same afternoon. Great design and ridiculous pricing. GM is on the way back (probably bankrupt, but will re-emerge better than ever). Dont bother with the GM standard DVD, get an aftermarket for a fraction of the cost.

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  My Prizm - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Beth - June 24 - 7:05 am

  I have had my car for seven years and only have had to replace one sensor and that was last week. I have kept up the maintenance regularly and just replaced the front brake pads last month. I drive it almost only in town and have 46K miles on it. Overall, it has been a good reliable car.