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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  Worst car ever made - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Lash - August 6 - 2:26 pm

  I bought this car used for about $3,000 with 120k miles on it. 2 weeks after I bought it the brake calipers went out, then out of nowhere the car wouldnt start. I checked the starter and it was bad so after I replaced that it still wouldnt start. I rewired the ground and hot wire from the battery to the starter and still nothing. I replaced the starter relay and finally the ignition switch and it started again. Now not even a month later and I threw a rod in the motor. I have had 2 oil changed in the 4 months Ive owned it because I drive out of town to visit my mother often. Its gonna cost over $1500 to replace the motor so Im just junking it and buying something else.

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  This Car is Junk - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jon - July 27 - 1:46 pm

  Please do not buy this car. GM has gotten so bad, everything they put out is junk. bought the car with 80K, and put 25K on in the last 2 years. replaced brakes and rotors, no biggie, that was easy. car hit 100K and dash board lights lit up like a Christmas tree. ABS and Trac Control Failed, module failed, repalcement cost $2,700 for parts. So that hasnt been done, no more trac control or ABS for me. Had the headlights go out once on a sharp curve, that was nice. the radio light flashed at me, which is a pain at night. in the day you cant read the odometer or radio lights. now the AC blower motor doesnt work all the time. have to shut the car off and restart. this car is junk.

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  Do Not Buy! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Moonbeam - June 7 - 7:17 pm

  I purchased my 05 brand new and could have never imagined such problems with a new car. The details are too long to list but there have been issues from the beginning ranging from engine trouble to the interior simply falling apart. Unfortunately I am stuck with this vehicle right now but unless the President of Chevy personally calls me to apologize and offers me a free vehicle I will never drive Chevy again. Please take my advice and do the same.

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  Garbage! - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By blackhaus50 - June 2 - 10:28 pm

  Front suspension is just awful, the truck was all over the road, pulled to the right bad when I used the brake. The interior would make all sorts of noise with the cheap plastic parts. Oh and how about the seat recliner handle. How many times did that break off. Just stay away!

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  Junk! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By kyle - June 1 - 7:26 pm

  I bought this car recently and its a hunk of junk. I need a new engine already it cracked for some reason. Thats gm for ya. This car is a headache. Dont buy this car. And the sunroof is very noisy and it leaks a lot to if there is a heavy rain. The plastic parts need to be better made to. When I walked out from the store to open my door the handle popped right off. So when I get in my car I have to go to the passengers door just to get in. I regret buying this car. What a waste of money.

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  Never again buy gm product - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By doug - May 27 - 5:16 pm

  My car broke timing belt at a light and i am now replacing the engine. When it runs again i will trade for almost anything. You have to replace timing belt every 30,000 miles. They should give money back and take care back. crazy.

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  Just Pour Your Money Down the Drain - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By mindgraffiti - May 27 - 10:37 am

  I have owned this used car for 7+ years. Stuck with a 3 year loan, only to shell out more money immediately after buying it! Within the first 6 months, when it hit 50k miles, the engine completely DIED. Spent $4k on a new one. Even after a NEW one, Ive replaced the intake gasket 4 times. Its gradually gained a large 6" round rust hole near the bottom of the fuel door. The ignition fails randomly and after 3 repair shops, no one can find the problem. The A/C needs recharged every month during the summer and on 80°F & hotter days, you cant tell its working. Ive quit making repairs ($6k during 3 yr loan!) and am driving it til its dead. After this car, nothing will make me buy GM again.

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  RUN AWAY FAST-FASTER!!! - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By RUN AWAY FAST!!! - April 22 - 7:36 pm

  Well, Im writing agian to tell more. As of today the van has been in 11 times. We have dealt with anthing from a shotty cupholder that has been replaced over and over to tie rods. Today as I speak its in the shop because it died on me (funny, it was in the dealerships parking lot), the steering wheel vibrates when brakes are applied and when I start it the ignition keeps turning and turning. It might take 4 times to start it or just 2, I never know. GMC wants to give us...are you ready for this.... 2,000.00 to go toward a BRAND NEW car. The dealership will take it as a trade in to sell us another. It doesnt fall under the Lemon Law because the same problem doesnt keep occuring. HELP?

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  Multiple Problems - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Unhappy car owner - March 17 - 7:11 pm

  We have had multiple problems since purchasing our equinox. As stated in several of the reviews, we have had difficulty starting the vehicle at times and problems with the heater blowing cold air. Of greater concern are the seals around the vehicle doors and windows. After a heavy rain, water poured out from under the seats and the spare tire wheel well was filled with water. One of the employees from the dealership indicated that our car was the 4th that week with the same problem, including his. We paid over $600 to fix the seals. Due to this, we are know having electrical problems. This should be a recall.

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  What a mistake - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ranger - March 1 - 3:35 pm

  We used the NHTSA and FuelEconomy.gov websites to narrow our search. We chose this based on their ratings and boy, were they way off. My son tapped a deer one night, didnt even break the headlight lens. $5500. At 75k miles were putting on the third set of high quality tires. It is the noisiest vehicle Ive ridden in since leaving the Army, the mileage is about 14mpg, my 2007 3/4 ton 4WD Diesel has a tighter turn radius and these seats are absolutely terrible. Spilled water on the seats and they look terrible and stains wont come out. Cant sit in them more than an hour. There is nothing redeeming about this vehicle.