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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  A great car, if you can handle the mpg - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By Endre - June 13 - 11:59 pm

  I cant say enough about how good this van has been for me. It has an engine that is snappier than V-8s,when its only a V-6. At 16-18 mpg its not very economical, but very good for a van and excellent for the performance it delivers. It has hauled kids, motorcycles, lumber, brush, furniture, rocks and has always, always handled the load with competence, and cleaned up very well afterward. The rear bench seats can be removed in under 3 minutes bu 1 person, leaving enough floor space for an 4x8 sheet of plywood, and using the between-the- seat space Ive gotten 11.5-foot things in there. If you can handle the mpg, get this van!

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  Better Quality - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jerry - June 13 - 9:34 pm

  Have had TrailBlazer for almost 2 years. Have had it in the shop 3 times and is heading back for service 4 wheel drive light is on and I have not used the 4 wheel drive for 3 months. The interior is pretty cheap and the middle arm rest is squeaky when you rest your arm on it. The mpgs I get are about 16/17. When you fill up, gas always spills out at the end. Have always bought GM vehicles and this will be the last one I buy.

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  Better than any Import, Toyota look out! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By gindelm7 - June 13 - 7:35 pm

  Bought this car new after looking for a replacement for my 1999 Malibu. This is the 4cyl with XM satellite radio and remote start. I took the car back to replace a visor and check out steering noise. Outstanding service. Said the steering noise was normal. Now I have 90,000 miles and just replaced front brake pads (no rotors) for the first time. Nothing else has gone wrong with this car! Tires at 63,000 miles and regular oil changes. My radio/computer says 33 mpg but my calculations indicate I get 35.7 mpg. Can the new malibu be any better? Great drive quality at 75 mph, no noise. no vibrations. Paint looks great, A/C is fantastic. Plenty of room in back seat for 3 kids. Get one!

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  1992 Lumina - Odometer 48,000 miles - 1992 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Lumina Fan - June 13 - 4:11 pm

  I purchased my 1992 Lumina in 1994 from a couple who entered a nursing home. Ive had very few problems with my Lumina. Wish they still made this model. Chevy probably didnt because people were hanging on to them too long! Theres only 48,000 miles on the odometer (yes, thats the correct number) Right now, the Lumina does need some minor repairs - hoses, tires - I get a complete tuneup every year, but I now have a 2007 Chevy Cobalt, so Im afraid I will need to sell my Lumina. Ive never had a car that lasted so long with so few problems! I only hope the Cobalt will do as well.

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  Great - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Dan Wolf - June 13 - 3:31 pm

  2003 Impalla purchased in July 03, now has 65,000 miles, 25-28 mpg city, 30- 34 interstate highway mpg, just amazing for a car this size. Very reliable, no problems since purchase, by far best car I have ever owned in my life, and I am 55. Compared to previous Chevrolets I owned from the 70s, 80s and 90s, they have done some darn good engineering.

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  Worst car I ever Owned - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ron - June 13 - 2:44 pm

  Electronic nightmare started with tire monitor system and went downhill from there. Dealers dont know how to fix. Replaced multiple transmissions. Had to sell after 18 months. Spent more time in the shop than on the road. A little more cash will buy a reliable BMW. Dont waste time on the SS.

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  Hard Core Driving of an Aveo - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Lenny Cieslak - June 13 - 1:45 pm

  I am a social worker for the Commonwealth of KY and cover 13 counties of my region. I have driven my Aveo over 45,000 miles in less than a year over mountainous roads (gravel, two-lane black top, and four lane highways. My Aveo has done excellent! I paid less than $14,000 for a fully loaded red beauty with sliding sky roof, air, auto, & alarm. It has been flawless. I even hit a 100lb deer at 60 MPH and only damaged the hood & grille. It took the licking and I never had to park it, but drove it every day since.

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  Very Reliable - 1998 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Mr Sensitive - June 13 - 1:08 pm

  I bought this car new for my wife in 1998 in Houston Texas to replace her 1986 Chevy Monty Carlo. It has been a very reliable and exellent car to drive. Relatively good gas mileage even today in 2008. I get 25mpg on highway and 21 mpg local. I currently drive it back and forth to work about 26 miles round trip. Only repairs, turn signal switch and alternator. Had a small oil leak that I used some stop leak on the last oil change. This seamed to stop the leak. Changed plugs at 105k mile. Currently has 116,000 miles on it and still rides pretty smooth. Chevy should bring this vehicle back into production . I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

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  Big Black - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Big Black - June 13 - 8:04 am

  This is my second Z06. The first was an 06. I loved it, but decided to return to an 08 convertible. It was a nice car, but I quickly missed my Z06.So, it was back to a Z06. I have never driven a better, more enjoyable car in my life! Its an everyday driver, and I cant wait to start the motor each day. If you can afford it, dont miss the chance to own and drive one. The Z06 will do everything that GM says...and more.

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  Great Car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Hanna - June 13 - 3:30 am

  I wanted a 4-door sedan type model so I was stuck figuring which one to get: the new Cobalt, Corolla, or Mazda-3. Found out the Corolla was too pricey for even the most basic features and the Mazda-3 was very sporty looking but being a young mom, I wanted a car that had the sporty look but can pass for a family car as well. So I got the Cobalt! Its a great new car for the price that I got it for.