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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  What?? No CD player in 2016 Equinox - 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Nancy - June 6 - 2:30 am

  Buying a 2016 Ford Edge because the 2016 Equinox does not have a CD player which I need when I travel. Have driven an Equinox and was set to buy one until I realized they did away with it. Poor GM decision!

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  No more blazers - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Learned my lesson - June 5 - 1:52 am

  Bought this 1999 blazer after owning a 1987 blazer, which probably was the best vehicle I have ever owned. Problems started at 32,000 miles when the front suspension had to be replaced."GM Dealership would not fix under warranty" I have replaced the leaking oil lines, alternator,intake gasket,and around 50,000 miles the engine blew up. Have always changed my oil at 3000 miles and used a good grade of oil and filter. The (extended warranty) rep said probably just a faulty part. After reading other reviews looks like Im not the only one with these problems. "Be careful of extended warranties"

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  not very gas efficient - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By smashingk - May 20 - 10:00 am

  although heavy in weight and size, the overall of this car is too expensive and not very gas efficient. the car is bulky, and it doesnt handle well either.

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  Mixed Feelings - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By Gordon - May 19 - 4:24 pm

  This was my first brand new vehicle and I have mixed feelings. It HAS lasted almost five years straight. I have driven it repeatedly off road and pulled little bush stumps with it. On the OTHER hand, with less than 1000 miles on it a coolant leak developed behind the dash, turning that new car smell into that rotting corpse smell. Its also extremely underpowered. I have actually considered turning off the A/C when merging onto a fast highway. And I have to replace a blown A/C fuse about twice a year. As it nears 90K miles, most of the engine seals are leaking. In the end, it is just what I paid for: a cheap little truck that will take care of you if you take care of it.

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  Bad Drivetrain with No Factory Support - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By badtruck - May 14 - 2:00 am

  After 6000 miles the drivetrain started clunking loudly any time I drive backwards (in reverse). The clunk does not occur when I shift to reverse but clunks when I accelarate faster than normal. The clunk also occurs frequently when I accelarate hard and then let off the throttle. It sometimes occurs on 1st to 2nd upshifts or downshifts. I can feel the clunk in the floor and passengers ask me about it. This problem takes all of the joy out of owning this new truck. The dealer did the transmission reprogramming which did not correct the problem and they told me that I have to live with the problem. Many other owners are having the same problem.

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  How many trips to the dealer? - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By More Brakes - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Rotors and pads and then again rotors and pads. FIVE TIMES! Not to mention a new front end, the list goes on and on. Several trips to the dealer What a loss I am taking on this car. Not such a great deal afterall.

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  NOT AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD BE! - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By honeybun - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Numerous problems with transmission and fuel pumps.Not very reliable.

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  Do Not Buy - 1996 Chevrolet Express
  By GetRidOf_Chev - May 7 - 3:32 pm

  We bought this van new with Conversion package. Put in 1st transmission at 51K, 2nd at 75K ( 96 has big time transmission problems ) Intake manifold gasket, new radiator and finally fuel pump. About $6000 in repairs since we owned it. Cant wait to get rid of it.

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  Malibu pure out sucks - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By disappointed in GM - May 7 - 10:00 am

  Bought it at 0 miles. 47k now. CV boots replaced twice. Frontend retorqued. Still rattles. Alternator went out w/o warning. Replaced brakes & rotors -14k. Center front arm rest broke. A/C goes on and off by it self. Engine light came on. Was O2 sensor. Engine light came on again and started skipping but only when you first crank it. Random misfire. Replaced plugs, plug wires, 3 coils, and coolant sensor. 3 mechanics (including Chevy dealer) checked it for blown head gasket, cracked head and everything and found nothing. They cant figure it out.

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  Alright......... - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By hornet - May 7 - 10:00 am

  Well i bought this car because i thought i would be able to compete with my uncles 00 mustang cobra, but was i wrong. After thousands of dollars, i can now keep up with his stock cobra, but this car was a severe let down. Since it was the same engine as the vettes, i thought it would be easy to mod., but im still working on beating the damn ford.