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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  How Sad - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Bob G. - December 19 - 6:50 am

  This is such a nice truck. Its a shame that the value of the vehicle drops like a lead balloon. My MSRP was $56000. Its now worth 27K on trade. Less than half in a year and half. Should have bought a Lexus. With what Ive lost on this one I could buy the Lexus. Why is it American cars lose their value so fast compared to the imports. The leather feels like pleather not a soft type material. How sad that the Big 3 need a bailout. Maybe we should stop building these vehicles and leave it up to the foreign car market. How sad! If you are thinking of these be ready to take the big hit on resale value.

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  Mach 2.5 - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Toady Two Step - December 18 - 7:53 pm

  My mom bought this car in 2004 used with about 30k on it or so. Drove it until having heart surgery, and then passed it on to me. At first, I loved the thing. It cruises very fast (As she said "Impalas, run. Its great on West Virginia/Pennsylvanias twisty roads too. But, it could be more comfortable, ride a little smoother, have a bit more pep-in-its step, and most importantly- -stop. I pride myself in being the only 20 year old I know who doesnt need TCS in winter--because the ABS/TCS sensor hasnt worked in over a year. Also needs new rotors...again. Great beginners car. But, when I give it back? Ill get a CVPI.

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  Bad Mistake - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Ross - December 17 - 11:46 am

  I bought my 08 2500hd 6.0 L used with 4k miles. It seemed really nice. Was told another dealership owned and went out of business. This pickup is a pile of CRAP, nice interior and exterior, but I buy vehicles for them to work. Horrible fuel mileage 12 max no matter what you are doing! Everything rattles, ride is so rough and loud. My 02 1500 5.3 L had more power and got same mpg pulling as 08 2500hd but way less empty. Not impressed with dealer either, cant even get in to get worked on. What a joke. I am going to buy back my 02 with 100k, 10 times the truck.

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  So many things to say... - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By christiehall - December 16 - 7:10 pm

  Where to start? I bought this car from a used car lot in October 2011, with just over 100,000 miles for $6,500. The seat frame needed to be welded, and the other side did later. The water filter needed replacing, the belt broke in November 2011, left front wheel bearing broke in January 2012, air conditioner broke in May 2012, right front wheel bearing, spindle, hub cap, and others melted together in November 2012, as well as left front wheel bearing breaking again, back seat handle is broke, two remotes, CD player is jammed, shakes when braking, cruise control half works, etc. etc. Bad car, dont buy!

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  Run Away and Never Return! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By necietoo - December 16 - 10:15 am

  This car was purchased as a gift brand new. I was very disappointed it didnt last 3years and the timing belt broke and the car was extremely damaged. Like 5600 dollars in damages the car only cost 9000 to 10000 dollars are you for real? Please, please, please do not buy this car. It will leave you stranded!

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  Lasted pretty long - 1991 Chevrolet Corsica
  By Jessie - December 16 - 9:14 am

  When this car died on me there were over 226,000 miles on it. Throughout its life-span I had to get a new engine put into it. The car did not brake well at all (very common for Corsicas). The paint faded, and there were other several major and/or minor repairs that I had to get on the car to make it last as long as it did. Except on the interstate, it had a comfortable drive. The interior is bland, and the exterior is even more bland. The radio did not have back speakers (dont understand the logic to that) and, therefore, did not have any bass to it. Its a good car for the average college student, but if youre gonna use it for business I would suggest you dont.

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  Tranny done - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lindsay - December 15 - 11:13 am

  I purchased my Impala in 2006 with 48k miles. In 2007 I began driving 120 miles a day for work and now it has plenty of highway miles. Ive replaced my struts, my driver side mirror is wobbly, replaced my headlights due to moisture in the lamps, the seal on the door leaks in the lightest of rain, I have recently found that my tranny is going out at 135k miles. Very disappointed. Thought I could drive this well into the 160k mile range. Its a Chevy for crying out loud! My husband is trying to talk me into another Impala, I read the reviews- I may being turning to Toyota....but not a Ford at least.

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  Its a Chevy - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dean - December 13 - 6:33 pm

  Our 1998 Chevy Malibu has been a nice car. But is very average & now at 100,000 it has required several times going to the shop. Leaky oil, tie rod, etc. Good work car

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  Great for a to b - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Colts XLIII Champs - December 11 - 1:42 am

  I inhearited my Lumina from my mom. She had the car since 02. Really I have seen no mechanical problems. Im a delivery driver in college and the gas mileage will suprise you. Its not flashy but it will get you from a to b pretty well. One thing I do have a problem with is there is only one cupholder. All in all if given the chance I think I might get another one

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  1 Year Later - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jp - December 10 - 7:11 pm

  Its been a year since I got my Malibu. Overall a good car but sluggish on highways, very uninspiring, gets the job done without fanfare. Chassis is very long making it a pain to park in tight areas. Blind spot on passengers side, love the XM radio, hate the OnStar stuff that comes with the vehicle. Never use it or need! Very quiet on road, fan loud, AC/defrost/heater great. Difficult to back up, cant see how close you are to objects behind. For the money a good buy for a family of 4. Its not my kind of car but at the time it was the only thing I could get and I did not make a bad choice, all and all.