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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  Nice design but poor reliability - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Phil - February 24 - 3:40 pm

  I really enjoy driving this car, but the reliability has been very poor. This year/model apparently has a very poor brake design. The cars brakes had to be replaced 4 times in 64000 miles (including new rotors on 3 occasions). Other reviews describe the brake problems in more detiail. Have also had numerous problems with the engine including a bad head- gasket, thermostat, and other random issues. Have also had problems with the AC switch, the blinkers, and the windshield wipers. Despite the comfort of the car the reliability makes this car a real bummer.

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  Great - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By kevin - February 24 - 2:06 pm

  This truck is great I purchased for under 19000 and it is better then any ford or dodge on the market today. it is great for working, around town, and other things I can count on it in any condition. and I love the A+ custumer serviece that I recieved.

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  2004 Wildfire Red 4WD - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Roger Engelken - February 24 - 1:40 pm

  I purchased the car for the 4WD given the harsh December and January we had here in Northern Colorado. It has worked admirably in the snow, and now is a joy to drive on once again dry roads. Ive had no issues with it, and getting replacement parts thus far has been very easy to do. After five coats of wax it has a good new shine once again. No missing the wildfire red color.

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  best truck ever - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By luigi123 - February 24 - 12:01 pm

  i purchased this 4.8 v8 silverado with 59000 miles now it has 216000 miles and the only thing i have ever purchased for it has been the alternator and normal maintenance. this truck went through burnouts, racing on highway, offroading, and through snow without a single problem.. the best thing is that the motor and transmission still works perfect sounds even better then my fathers 2008 silverado. chevy rocks

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  Greatest family vehicle ever made! - 1996 Chevrolet Express
  By JohnGCarr - February 24 - 10:36 am

  I bought this van as an occasional use vehicle for family trips last year with 174k on it. It ran and still does run like brand new. I have the Debut conversion which is extremely comfortable for the whole family. The miles dont bother me in the slightest now as Ive seen them with over 300k running smoothly. It looks like brand new both outside and inside and everything works perfectly. Mine has the towing package with 5.7 V8 and still manages to get very decent gas mileage even with 6 or more people and a load in the back. Well likely have many more years of use out of it and then Ill buy another one :)

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  I want my money back - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cammy - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I feel I spent too much on this car. I have a 2000 STD Malibu. I bought it for 12,000 with 31,000 miles on it. Everywhere I go I see this car and wonder why everyone has the same color as I do (maroon). I took it to the shop a month ago and found out that I need new tires. But of course, I cannot get the tires that they have on sale, oh no. Chevy decided to use oversized useless tires . I have to pay $300 for two tires that none of the brands will put a warrantly on. I still have not changed the old tires, and now they seem to be wobbling. On top of that, the engine is now starting to make a funny noise. I am scared to find out what the problem may be.

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  BEST ECONOMY/FUN CAR EVER - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Johnathan - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Chevy must have done something really right when they built my car. It is a 1990 Chevy Cavalier that still rides like its on rails. Its got 228,000 miles on original everything and it is still one smooth ride.

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  Got the sport package LS - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mr.Happy - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I started second week with the 02 LS sport (black). The car is fully loaded except the sunroof, I dont like it. So far it was very pleasant driving. The car looks much better than LS at least in my view. Got the car with 58 km on it and average fuel 13.5 liters per 100 km. ever since I am driving it the consuption is improving. I am at 10 liters/100km. I would like to see the dealer driver how he was "pumping it" to get to the dealer!

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  My 2nd Silverado - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Lady Up North - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I traded out my 00 with 26k miles for a 02 because I wanted to upgrade not because of any troubles. The highway handling is great for a vehicle this large. Mileage is low but compared to the midsized SUVs its not any worse. This is a truck for those who really want a truck and not a luxury sedan disguised in trucks clothing. Chevy gets knocked for the "Fisher Price" look but I want to wash my truck out with a big sponge and a bucket of water if needed. Worrying about my interior finishes is not on my to-do list.

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  All down hill after this - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Kenny - February 24 - 1:39 am

  Well when I fist got it I thought oh man im in heaven. All the power I ever wanted but not too much. A good 4X4 for being so new. But just as it built up my hope it let me down time after time. So Im saying forget the bowties.