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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  American Beauty - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By David - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Bought our 2003 Sub LT new in 2003. 130,000 miles later still going strong. GM has a real winner with this truck, and the LT has all the creature comforts for the long rides to the beach or skiing (and running around town). Some drama along the way: Seat memories early on, AC failure around 50K, fuel tank sender issues but darn thing is so much fun to have around we have kept her even after the family has grown up. My wife now drives a Lexus RX (and all her friends too) but I cant let this gem go.

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  Great For an expanding family - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Junior - November 30 - 2:00 am

  When I found out I was going too have another child, I needed to upgrade my ride. After 2 months of research, the Traverse won. (I went through all of makes/models from BMW to Cadillac.) I bought the 2LT with dual sunroof/dvd/nav combo. I love the ride and the feel of the truck. My family loves the roominess of the interior. After driving it a month, the fuel economy is lower than advertised BUT thats the only negative thing I have to say about the truck. You will love this Chevy.

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  Chevy Tahoe Door Lock Problems - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Tahoe Door Lock Prob - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Ive had four Chevy SUVs in the last ten years and planned on buying another one soon. However, on my 2005 Tahoe I had to replace the fuel pump which I learned was located in the fuel tank. Cost me over $800. And recently, two door locks on my 2008 Tahoe (drivers side) quit working. Cost me over $600. And looking at this website, it looks like GM has a real problem with their door lock design. I feel they should do a recall on their door locks. It they do, and do so soon, and give me my $600 back, Ill be buying another Tahoe. Otherwise, Ive had enough and will start buying another brand...

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  Serious Paint Problems! - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By elean - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I grew up driving camaros and was very excited when the new models came out. Drives wonderfully but the paint job is horrible! Did they only spray one coat? Im keeping my fingers crossed for a paint recall. Ive seen several other 2010 camaros around town that are all equally scratched up. Weve only had the car for 5 months, 1,400 miles, no accidents, and there are chips everywhere. All you have to do is look at this car funny and the paint will chip!

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  Super Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Gracie - November 28 - 2:00 am

  I have loved this car. Although it isnt fancy, it has done me well. I havent any major issues with it. I did have to replace two of the power window motors, the starter and the water pump, but all together less than 500.00 in almost 5 years. Never had any sign of trouble, and it always gets me to where I need to go. I have taken it on several 1000+ miles trips with no problems.

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  Wow. - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Reinarzman - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car about 6 months ago with 91,000 miles on it. I am going to college in Chicago and reside in Michigan. I drive home all the time and have racked up 14,000 in the past three months. This car has been amazing. Clean carfax. nothing has ever been serviced besides new tires and oil changes. I cannot believe the power out of the basic V6 and the fuel economy for a full-sized four door car. I am overly happy with everything GM has done with this. If you maintain this car and dont be stupid with it, this car will last you for a lifetime.

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  2007 Impala LS - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bob - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car in 2010 with 32,000 miles on it. GM Certified, in great shape. I was worried about the rear tire camber issue that is all over the net. This car has the original Goodyear Integrity tires on it. With 32,000 miles on them, they are only about half worn. So, I can conclude that not every 2007 Impala had that issue. Perhaps its only on the 3.9L models, as those were the ones that were used for Police vehicles. Very pleased with the car. Mine is black and looks like a very masculine sedan. Being a truck guy, its one of the very few sedans that I actually enjoy the looks. Handles very well, is quick, and very comfortable to drive.

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  Interior needs re-engineering - 2011 Chevrolet Impala
  By ed - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Interior needs HELP! Center console lacks good design. No place for park money. Cup holders inadequate & not well placed. Rear seat center head-rest obstructs rear view (inside mirror ).The stamped metal parts of front seat are very sharp. (don try to slide anything under the seat.

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  Known defects - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By MattH - November 24 - 2:00 am

  This GM vehicle has suffered from some of the "known defects" by GM. The instrument cluster has been replaced under warranty, fuel pump became weak and been replaced, the actuators that control the airflow into the cabin become flaky and will start blowing hot air out (you have turn off the car and restart-Ive gotten good at doing this while going down the road). The final straw with this vehicle - excessive porosity in the cylinder heads (again, a known issue with GM suppliers CasTech heads) allows steady leaks into the valve train and gets mixed in with the oil. It has gotten bad (1 gal/month) and now at 105,000 miles, this vehicle has to go unless GM steps up. TBD.

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  Freakin sweet - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By TyBong - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car off of a friend for 500 bones as a beater car (I hate car loans! never again!) to get to work and back. Got the car at 230,000 miles, now have 245,000 and still runs like a champ! Starts funny, struts are messed up, but still runs great like the first day we signed the title over. Ive owned a 2002 camry and got less value off of that than my little cavy. That Toyota was junk, go GM!