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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  Could have been better - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By tnparrothead - August 2 - 2:00 am

  After my break in period I noticed a significant drop in fuel economy. I went from averaging 14mpg/city to 11mpg/city. Once I hit a little more than 1,000 miles I noticed a problem in my steering. The dealership said it was probably the intermediate shaft but it has been intermittent and because they could not hear or feel it the day I took it down they did not want to chage it out. At about 5,000 miles the service 4WD warning came on. The very next time I started the vehicle it looked fine. It happened a couple more times and the dealer was unable to find a problem with my 4WD system.

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  Fuel System Vapor Locks - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Not a GM Fan - July 31 - 7:18 pm

  We bought the vehicle to tow our 8000lb camper. It tows the vehicle very well, however, it has died on us three times. Each time, were headed up I-70 west of Denver in 95 degree heat towing the camper. The fuel system vapor locks. Chevrolet keeps replacing the fuel pump, but the fuel pump obviously isnt the problem -- the vehicle is completely drivable (until placed in the aforementioned conditions). If it happens one more time (and we fully expect it will), the state of Colorado will officially consider it a lemon and hopefully well get our money back.

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  Everybody makes mistakes - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Norbert - July 29 - 12:55 pm

  After 18,000 miles and 3 General tire failures, a new set of Goodyears were recently put on. I still get a vibration between 45 & 65 mph. The airconditioning failed and it took a week to fix. Front bucket seat is uncomfortable. Very little leg support. My elbows are raw from the lack of padding on arm rest and center console.

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  daddyronhank - update - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By daddyronhank - July 28 - 9:25 am

  After nearly 4 years I still own this van. Resale value has dropped so its senseless to sell or trade. Replaced idler arms and factory recall repaired the windshield wipers. Blower motor on AC was replaced but I guess my resistor is bad since the blower does not always work (i.e. when its very hot or very cold). Cleaning the throttle body intake took care of the sticking gas pedal. Just bought a boat so the towing capacity will come in handy. Ride is rough but improved with Michelin Harmony tires. Drivers side power window sticks but stopping it before it goes all the way down seems to reduce the problem. Current brakes have nearly 30K miles but they are due for replacement.

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  Should have bought the Corolla - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Jake - July 27 - 4:40 am

  This is a cheap unreliable car. Electrical problems, Numerous recalls, cheap interior, A transmission that cannot decide which gear it wants to be in, 5000 mile oil change intervals by me with Mobile One fully synthetic and now the Turbo is out with only 56,000 miles. THIS CAR IS A JOKE. My daughter is still driving this car. Coolant leaks have been a huge problem with this car, water pump, thermostat housing, hose fittings. I have all the leaks repaired at this time.

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  Never Again - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By disappointed - July 26 - 12:13 am

  Since it was purchased this spring we have had to replace or repair the air conditioner, brakes, alternator, strut work, body mouldings, and the driver side sliding door was locked shut twice. This is not a vehicle I would purchase again!

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  Repair costs $2,200 for 2005 (so far) - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dave - July 25 - 7:26 pm

  This car was poorly built. This car requires new brakes every 15K miles and new rotors every 30K miles. I followed all recommendations for maintaining my vehicle per the owners manual. Once the car hit 60K miles, it started to fall apart completely. In the last two years I have had to bring my car to the mechanic for repairs eight times (thank goodness for AAA)!The cost of repairs for 2004: $1,200. The cost for repairs through 7/05 $2,200. List of items needing repairs: ignition switch(2x), ignition cylinder, manifold intake gasket, antifreeze cap, A/Cc. I will not be purchasing another Chevy, or any product built by GM,. They just couldnt discount it enough for me to take the risk!

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  Will never buy again - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By finallygotridofit - July 21 - 5:42 pm

  This probably was a good vehicle in 1997, the day it rolled of the line, but it was a constant headache. Transmissions, yes plural, oil cooler lines, shocks, ball joints, electrical problems (no brake lights, have to jiggle the hazards to make them work) and the worst of all, gas mileage. It feels like you have a parachute strapped to the back of it!! Definitely not for one who doesnt like working for the gas pump. It looks great and does ride well, and the four wheel drive is great, but you cant really rely on it to get you anywhere without wondering if you have at least 40 bucks for gas and if its gonna arrive safely

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  my lemon - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mr.lemon - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Engine failure requiring complete replacement at 2500 miles no 4 - wheel drive first time in snow total days in shop since purchase for repairs 28

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  I dont see whats so special here - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By MAG - July 19 - 1:17 am

  I have owned this vehicle for 14 days and I absolutely hate it. The horsepower is embarrassing, so forget merging into traffic. Exceptional loss of power while driving uphill and sloppy steering on the highway. I cannot accurately rate the vehicle reliability because I have not owned it long enough to be fair. On the up side, the interior is comfy and is loaded to the hilt with neat options. If this vehicle wasnt so slow and sloppy, Id give it an A. Definitely not worth the $35,000 price tag.