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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  96 Chevy Beretta - 1996 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Rev Mackey - August 16 - 10:03 am

  Overall a great car for dependability. I have had repeated problems with the brakes (three times to Midas for front and back) and it took a little time to get used to front wheel drive. Not a good car for winter driving.

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  Great in High-Mileage Form! - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Willis - August 13 - 9:35 pm

  This car takes abuse and keeps coming back for more. I got the midnight blue coupe with the painted bumpers option and 5 speed manual. The 2.2L(ohv) engine leaves a bit to be desired for power but the manual tranny makes up for it. I paid $1500 for this car 3 yrs ago and its just needed head gasket and ac recharge. It had 130,000 on it when I got it and its never left me stranded at 162,000 miles. something is! The cheapest 30,000 miles I ever drove was in a crappy old cavi!

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  Silverados are junk - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ka8dzt - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Many small minor problems. Transmission replaced at 58,000 miles. Brakes are junk...have never worked right. Passenger seat belt doesnt work correctly...never has. Engine vibrates badly especially on cold mornings. Eats fan belts. Have work with 2 dealers Terry Lee Chevrolet and Rose Chevrolet. Didnt seemed concerned about my complaints. Never fixed any problem I had...said I had to live with the problems. Have bought GM vehicles for over 30 years but never again!!!!!!

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  Not bad but needs some work - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Ray - August 10 - 9:44 am

  Good warranty but not up to Kia. Its about time Asian companies started to force GM to back thier vehicles instead of thier pathetic 3/36 coverage. Seats are not well designed with some seats missing armrests in some models. Standard model lacks side air bags. Engine is cramped for having a large front end. Cheap to buy 1 year old due to fact they dont sell very well. May be best kept secret.

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  2 redeeming qualities - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Rambler - August 9 - 2:46 pm

  The only reason we purchased this car was to tow behind our Class A motorhome. The Malibu is one of only a few cars with automatic transmission that can be towed without expensive modifications. The build quality being a GM product is questionable at best of course. Not much acceleration. A mundane "bread and butter" auto.

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  Short Circuit - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Icarus - August 8 - 10:00 am

  I loved the way the car drove, but all other experiences with my Monte Carlo were terrible. Im 6 2" and the car did not fit me; my fault, I test drove the vehicle. Yet, I have had electrical problems of every sort. After six months, my airbag indicator light would come on as I was driving down the road. No problems for another six months and then turn signals began to short out. I thought it was a fuse but they went on and off. I am now experiencing the same problem with the drivers side window. The Chevy dealers I went to were rude and unwilling to help. I think my experiences with Chevy are over.

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  Not soooo good - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By BMiller - August 8 - 10:00 am

  Many problems such as insulation in doors not installed properly, wheel barings bad, fuel injection problems, drivers window not working, and countless other things. Very dissappointed in the Blazer. Plus a recall on the rear turn signal.

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  2005 Chevy Colorado, Oh No! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Kevin - August 7 - 1:40 pm

  I purchased a brand new 2005 Chevy Colorado during the employee pricing. I should have walked across the street to the Toyota dealership. My truck has been in the shop over 20 times for AC, CD player, radio not working, tire balance, cruise control, AC fan only working on speed 4, broken seat handle, leaking rain water in the cab. The truck looks great and that is about it. I cant believe one vehicle can have so many problems. Never again! Sorry Chevy!

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  Nice Looking - Citrus Malibu - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By guacamayas - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Done several long trips and the car has performed good. Braking in the city and under rain is a pain, I feel the car is going to loose a brake pad or is not going to stop at all! Even I took it to the dealer for revision, it makes annoying sounds and bumps (ABS seems to be out of sync). On parking driveways where the road has different levels for water drain I can hear noises everywhere in the car, it seems is going to crack.

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  buyer beware! - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By chevynomore - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought this pickup brand new - problems from the start, many of which other owners are also reporting. Worst problem is the notorious GM piston slap; started at 11000 miles and is getting worse - sounds like a diesel at startup. GM insists the piston slap is normal. Also, one side of the box is 2" lower than the other side, transfer case is very noisy, steering column rattles and thumps during turns. I do not expect these problems from a 2 year old, $30k vehicle. GM customer service is virtually non-existent.