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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  You Get What You Pay FOR - 1999 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Nate Briner - August 25 - 2:00 am

  It got good gas mileage when it ran. It had a lot of problems with the body falling apart

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  Should have bought a Camry - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By CC - August 19 - 9:29 pm

  Had this car for 3 years. Bought at 117k. Not a very reliable vehicle. Timing chain needed replacing at 118k, water pump went bad at 140k, fuel pump went bad at 160k and left me stranded, fuel pressure regulator went bad at 161k, now the starter is bad at 165k. All of these are common Ecotec problems. There are also drivetrain issues, which are also common. The drivetrain rattles when starting the car up. I have put into this car exactly what I bought it for. Its not worth it. If you want to get a Cavalier, an earlier year with a different engine would suffice. The only good thing about owning this car is that, despite everything going bad, the engine itself refuses to give up. I would only suggest buying this car if you know how to fix it yourself.

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  We dumped it! - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By chbeyer - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Our suburban had numerous quality problems. We paid 38K for it and the left door (back seat) squeaked for the entire time we owned the vehicle. The dealer couldnt fix it. The power window on the drivers side went out. An incredibly overrated poor quality vehicle.

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  Not a Repeater - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Bummed about Blazer - August 19 - 2:00 am

  My daughter and I both purchased Blazers at the same time. After 4 years of ownership, I have to say I would never buy another one. Every week there is a new interior squeek or rattle. Between my daughters car and mine, the vent adjustment broke off, rear differential is a constant problem, ball joints and wheel bearings had to be replaced ($500 x 5), cvc leak fixed ($300), outside moulding on drivers window kept popping out (husband finally glued it in place), seat adjustment lever broke off, strap on rear hatch broke off. . . and on and on. Was a BIG Toyota fan before this and will DEFINITELY go back.

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  Malibu - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cindy - August 18 - 10:00 am

  had many problems with the car in various areas: from cup holder cracking to a/c fans working off and on spontaneously to internal security system activating (not letting me crank the car for 12 minutes) when I was just trying to crank it, etc. Now I am concerned that the seat belt on the drivers side isnt clicking or working very well.

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  Broke Down in Fla - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Broke Down - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought New. Have 34K on it now. Broken Down and Stranded 3x. 2x out of town. AC stopped working fixed. Ignition broke so car would not start. Alternator died, 3 weeks prior battery died and had towed to dealer and specifically told them check the alternator they said it was fine, they were wrong. Engine collant leaks no one knows why. Rotars Bad and so are tires. This car is a Lemon!!!!!

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  Lots of room. - 1996 Chevrolet Astro
  By thedriver - August 5 - 2:00 am

  We purchased an Astro AWD because we needed a 4WD and a van. The van drives well in slippery conditions. We have had it in the garage several times for fuel, tranny and brake problems. Our Astro has several engine oil leaks.

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  Unhappy in Minnesota - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Unhappy in Minnesota - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I wish I could get all my money back and start over! My first experience with a Chevrolet product has not been a good one. The Trailblazer (TB) has been in every 1000 miles or less for a front differential leak (3 times). I am experiencing what appears to be a transmission problem. I have had very minor problems with new vehicles, but nothing as serious as the TB. For the price, Chevrolet should really have more standard bells and whistles. The dealer is great, but the product leaves much to be desired. Sure hope Chevrolet can make me change my feelings. My TB has gotten to be the joke around work.

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  lemon - 2001 Chevrolet Metro
  By debbie j - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 14,000 miles and still under warranty. I took it to the dealership three times while still under warranty about the automatic transmission and the air conditioning not working. I was told there was nothing wrong with the car and I was making a fuss about nothing.. Needless to say, at 39,000 miles I founght myself having to put in another transmission. Now at 62,000 miles I find myself having to put in another. The air condtioning is in need of gas again for the third time although the mechanic stated there was no leak when he checked it. I got burned badly on this lemon and cannot get enough trade to be rid of it! I am stuck with a lemon.

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  Unsatisfied Customer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sherrie - July 26 - 2:00 am

  The relationship with my 2003 Trailblazer is one of love/hate. Fun to drive, when it works. Lots of cargo space and roomy for 7 people. Drivers seat is like a cockpit with tons of buttons and controls. BUT... the engine and electronics has been unreliable. The 4x4 switch has failed 4 times in 15 months, requiring in- shop servicing for more than 15 days. While on vacation, the windshield wipers failed during a major rain storm (stuck in on position) and we had to pay for a rental car. Tail pipe is already rusting and we have a squeek (that cant be found) in the front end. Although I love to drive the car... it will have to go!