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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  Mechanical Problems - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Nathan D - April 24 - 2:32 pm

  I like the way you sit in the truck. Not too high, not too low. The manual transmission treats me well too. Good clutch and easy to shift. There are a few negatives however. It drove well off the lot, but a week later the head gasket decided to go out at 90,000 miles. The exhaust was replaced a couple times as well. The side mirror has fallen off twice. Once when I was on the interstate, it was quite a surprise. The blower switch has broken. The turn signal switch has gone out and still doesnt work quite right. The thermostat has failed once, and plug and wires were replaced at 150,000 miles. At 156,000 miles, the head gasket has an internal leak and will need replacement.

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  Do not buy this car! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Andreana - April 24 - 10:21 am

  This car is not built for our environment. Sure its good on gas but its not reliable. I bought my car new, and its been in the shop 13 times in 2 1/2 years. They have gone into my engine twice to fixe problems, and had to rebuild it. Ive had 4 different oil leaks my a/c has been fixed 3 times, my brakes were coming loose and the list goes on. So please if you are reading this do not buy this car! Its a cute car but its not worth the trouble.

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  My 2005 Malibu LS V6 - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ethel - April 24 - 9:58 am

  I have had to have a new steering rack, new front exhaust, new sun visors, and a new ignition switch put on this car already. Thank God it is still in warranty. The tires that came with the car had trouble holding tire pressure so I had to buy 4 new tires also.

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  Disappointed in gas mileage and interior - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By John Degory - April 24 - 8:33 am

  Gas mileage is not what is advertised. Interior is cheap and disappointing. Experior design great. Turning radius needs to be improved. LT version should have tined windows in the front. If Chevy would have addresed these issues and not have been CHEAP this would be a dream vehicle.

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  My Mad Maxx - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By tigerteacher - April 24 - 12:20 am

  Bought my Malibu Maxx as a replacement for a much larger car that was totaled in an accident. Went to purchase an SUV, but when I drove the Maxx, it was sold. Great room; lots of cargo capacity; great mpg; easy to get my toddler in and out; inexpensive maintenance. My family has owned many Chevys and several Hondas and Nissans. So far we are very pleased overall with this purchase. It was a CPO with extended warranty and I got a GREAT price. I have a 60 mile commute each day and my Maxx handles it with ease.

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  Great car - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By nick - April 23 - 11:52 pm

  I had two recalls. That is good in my book. This car is great on fuel and cheap to run. Overall its a great car. Even at 270,000 km its running great.

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  Disappointment - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Doc - April 23 - 4:50 pm

  Just bought this 2010 Equinox. 2010 no longer comes with a fold flat front passenger seat, not even an option. This reduces the utility factor. I drive with a light foot in ECO mode yet I only have averaged 23.7 mpg. 80% of my driving is 4 lane with the cruise on 60 mph. The rear blind spots are terrible, the rearview camera is a necessity not just an option.

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  Maintenance not worth the price - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ed - April 23 - 1:39 pm

  Drives like a bad truck. Didnt hit 20,000 before repair costs started hitting. Now at 45,000 miles replaced axles, replaced wheel bearings, replaced CV boots, replaced blower motor, replaced intake manifold, replaced alternator and battery. Front differential fluid leak, oil leak. Drivers side door squeaks. Avoid this car, unless youre buying my used one.

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  Disappointed on Gas Mileage - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Not Happy - April 23 - 1:16 am

  Just bought the car in August and it looks great and the ride feels good. As far as dependability, it is questionable. The seat belt sensor light stays on when belted in. I took it to the dealership and they told me that the part would ship on Nov 2. The part was ordered on August 21. I would hate to see if it was a part that was essential for the car to run. The most disappointing aspect of this vehicle is Gas Mileage. I am getting 23.9 on the average. I purchased it solely for gas mileage. I feel like others on this review. I feel cheated. It looks like GM has not changed. They LIED about gas mileage. I believe it is close to false advertising. Stick to imports!!!!!

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  I almost love it - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Jeff Martin - April 23 - 12:17 am

  I have enjoyed this vehicle greatly. My biggest negative was the average in- town gas mileage of 12.5mpg with the 5.3liter engine. Had I known that ahead of time I would have bought the 2500 model with the 8.1 liter which gets almost the same mileage with 50% more horsepower and tons more torque. The body integrity is about what you expect from Chevrolet. When it falls off you can put it back on, if you can find it. I dont know of any other truck in the maketplace Id rather have so when I buy again I look at the Avalanche first.