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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  hate this truck - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By frank - September 4 - 6:54 am

  This is my third new tahoe and will be my last.Traded in 03lt that was the best .I listened to the so called experts who said 07 was a big improvement.It is not.I got 99miles and had to return to dealer for service.Seats are like sitting on a pile of bricks.All the creature comforts are gone.No more folding arm rests,cargo net,change holder,etc,etc,

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  Horrible Electrical system - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By kdogg - September 3 - 1:04 am

  This vehicle has been in the repair shop for electrical problems 2 times, with only 5600 miles this annoying.The 291 horsepower rating, i think is wrong,more like 200 hp. Gas mileage is 12-14 city and 18-20 highway. Off the line acceleration is horrible,from 0- 40 feels like a go-kart, once you are past 40 mph acceleration is awesome. A Geo Metro can beat this vehicle off the line. Transmission is ok, but I think a 5 or 6 speed would improve performance and gas mileage. G80 rear locking differential is awesome, with this no need for 4wd. Wind noise is horrible at highway speeds, sounds like a window is open. Turning circle is great, better than most cars. Stability control is excellent.

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  Okay car - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By crazychemist78 - September 3 - 12:00 am

  We bought our 99 Malibu used. It handled fairly well, not at all as you would expect for its size. Since then, it has had new brakes 2x, has a perpetual coolant leak and constant electrical problems. The fuel gauge no longer works, two relays have gone out, the HVAC controller died, the blower resistor burnt out taking the blower with it. The windows work when they want to. The factory CD/cassette players no longer work. Not much power for a V6 (I could out-accelerate it in my 4cyl 5spd Kia Sephia.) Smooth ride. When the windows are rolled down hot air comes up through the floor. Have since bought a 2002 Malibu which has been a dream, so it could have just been this particular car or year.

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  I5 Colorado - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Jim - September 2 - 4:32 pm

  I bought the vehicle new and have had it 2.5 years. In that time an axle seal has failed twice, the a/c fan motor once and now it has the drivers window, door lock and fob problem. After a new BCM, fuse block and a $400 bill it still doesnt work. Seven times now Ive fixed the problem by taking the door module out, spraying the contacts, put it together and all works fine - for a day or two. This is an ongoing problem with the Colorado that Chevy wont recognize. Also the thing sounds at 62000 miles like what my old Explorer did at 120K miles.

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  Dont Buy This Car... - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By jnagle - August 28 - 9:37 am

  There honestly isnt a single thing that makes this car worth buying. The body is starting to rust and the clear coat on the rims is gone. The cat went at 60k and they refused to fix it b/c it wasnt setting of the codes but the car was undrivable. The damage from the car killed my engine, now I get 19mpg/highway. Now at 85k the tranny is going. Car shifts hard in between gears and engine makes a high pitched sound???

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  It was time to stop making this model - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By Mr P - August 26 - 6:47 pm

  This van was a good fit for my needs at the time, It can tow medium size loads, and is OK in comfort. The engine box should be pushed forward some. Cargo space is great, if you remove the third row seat, which is a chore for one person.

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  Whats up with the front end? - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Nicole - August 21 - 6:37 pm

  I am a tractor-trailer driver not speed racer.I bought used with 51000mi,clean title,1prv.own,and had to have the cd player fixed upon purchase,(broken again, junking rather than fixing it again.)Owned since thanksgiving 06 and had 5 alignments done on it(no worn or broken parts found,no pothole hit)torsion bars realigned to normal height 2x, my tires were brand new 11/06!Now I need new ones, I cannot drive through construction zones and must dodge any and all imperfections in the road or pay for another alignment. Thankfully I never planned on driving it off road.Should have kept my 91 Blazer, never a single prob-and i learned to drive on it!

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  OK car - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Shawn - August 19 - 11:23 pm

  I have had my Monte Carlo for almost two years. Pretty good overall car. Its very reliable and I havent had too many problems with it. However, the gas mileage is terrible in the city, I average about 18 mpg, much better on the road though. The hinge on the glove compartment broke, and braking in the rain was bad until I had the front fender liners trimmed. Overall I have been happy with the performance, never lost a race with any high-schoolers at stop lights with their Civics and Eclipses!

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  My Colorado 4cyl - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By hta - August 19 - 4:33 pm

  I drove an 96 s10 for 10 years almost 300,000 miles it was a better truck. The Colorado is a litle bigger. Less gas mileage. No way it gets 27-35 highway. There is no armrest What engineer builds a 5 speed truck with no armrest? 2 Cheap General tires went at 15000 miles? I got the truck at 13500 +ttl. Its efficient but I dont know as much as my S10. The body panels are made really thin and theres not much cab space. It is a slow slug. It only moves when the pedal is to the floor hence the gas mileage

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  Dont Buy It! - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Autumn - August 18 - 1:13 pm

  Like many people, I need an economical vehicle that will get me from point A to point B. This car is economical, but not very trustworthy. I would not buy it again. As it is, mine has less than 30,000 miles on it and is starting to do things such a new car should not do. It occasionally hesitates upon starting, it makes strange sounds when it is running, the gas light quit working, and its rattling itself apart (the drivers side armrest rattles when driving). I dont trust the car any more and am looking into getting rid of it before the warranty runs out. Of course, its not paid off and this car is worth nothing as a trade in. Bum deal! Dont fall for it like I did!