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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  No mechanical troubles for 136K miles - 1994 Chevrolet Camaro
  By BL - February 29 - 10:22 pm

  Have owned car about 10 years. Maintaining it was key to trouble free operation, and keeping engine stock. Do service regularly, have fun with the power, but dont abuse it.

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  2007 Tahoe - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By peter bell - February 29 - 6:58 pm

  This is my first American vehicle in 11years. Before I owned a Toyota 4 runner and recently a 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD. I am really impressed and love the way this truck looks, drives and feels everytime I get in. There have been a few issues that have been fixed quickly such as rear window trim and the trim on the roof. The rest of the truck is exceptional and I love it I .This was a big leap of faith as I am used to Toyotas -this truck has proven to be great so far. Mpg is not

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  Never Again - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By NDMN - February 29 - 2:51 pm

  I have owned this car since new. The first time it was in the shop was 10 days after I bought it due to a "flapping" sound on the highway. It took 3 additional trips to determine that there were screws missing in the wheel well. The build quality on this car is terrible, it has been in the shop 30+ times for all manner of problems. Now I am looking to get a new car (Toyota) I find that my $30k SUV is worth almost nothing. GM has forever lost a customer with this vehicle.

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  HATE THIS CAR - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Anonymous - February 29 - 8:24 am

  This thing is the worst car I have EVER owned. In the shop - ignition sticks from time to time, and the dealer told me to just deal with it - it will start. NEVER again will I buy a GM product - quality and service have been seriously lacking. Had to replace front struts with less than 40000 miles. American companies wonder why we buy foreign - this car is a prime example of why. Even my interior is junk - peeling radio dials and an interior that stains if you drop water on it. I would never recommend to anyone to buy this piece of junk!

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  The car sells itself. - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By BowtieBoy06 - February 29 - 5:43 am

  Since the day I first drove the car, it has never ceased to amaze me. Powerful acceleration, superb handling, and sleek styling all contrbute to the inherent appeal of the car. For all the doubters, the power is definitely there. Ive driven it all and I say, all the competitors in its class have a problem on their hands. The supercharger makes this quite a little competitor even for the V-8 boys. The car handles well in the twisties and can take anything you can throw at it. The interior may not be up to luxury standards but its acceptable for the price range. As long as you remember what you paid for it, youll always think you got away with murder

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  More motor! - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By JERRY - February 27 - 10:26 pm

  Truck is comfortable, roomy and above average to drive. Power and mileage are awful! The 6.0L is terrible. My last truck had a 5.3. I thought the 6.0 would be better. Wrong. Chevy should junk this motor. All around 11 mpg. Towing 24 boat, 8 mpg. Either a diesel or a Titan is next.

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  Wonderful car - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Treyb0 - February 27 - 8:15 pm

  This car was love at first sight. I have had no problems with this car and either has my dad(the first owner). I can drive like a maniac in this car. Rollover nothing. Just dont do too stupid of stuff and youre fine. Not fuel effecient at first look, but if you look at it as you hold 8 people and if those eight people were each driving their own car each car would have to get 105 mpg to burn as little gas as the Suburban. Also the towing capability is supurb which you cant get in any fuel effecient car. I would highly recomend this vehicle to anybody wanting to buy a car.

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  Good, cheap commuter car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Greg - February 27 - 7:34 pm

  I bought this car for the fuel economy and a manual transmission. Im a college student who commutes to class every day, so the good gas mileage helps (~25-30 MPG city depending on traffic).

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  ol reliable - 1990 Chevrolet Corsica
  By monelle - February 27 - 6:04 pm

  Got her in 1998 with 23000 miles and shes lasted me. I have run into the moisture vs fuses problem but it was easily fixed, and the paint is peeling- her tops rusty. She still likes to go, and her brakes are soft. Not pretty anymore but will probably run with tune-ups for 50,000 more miles.

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  Love my impala - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By impalafan - February 27 - 2:18 am

  Had this car 3+ yrs, & still love it. At about 47k miles, and ready for new tires/ brakes. Fun to drive, great power, & plenty of room for my 250lb frame I could drive in comfort forever. Massive trunk, 17+ sq.ft.! 3.8 V6 can really take off, easy to get flying if youre not careful! Dashboard/stereo laid out well, intuitive controls. Info center tells you when you need gas, washer fluid, & even when tire pressure is low. XM & OnStar are standard. I cant say enough for this car!