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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  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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  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.

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  Dont buy this car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By akztraylor - February 22 - 8:05 pm

  I have had this car for less than 2 years and it has been in the shop 7 times now. I am very disapointed in this car. I thought this would be a better car to own, now I cant wait to get rid of it!

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  Wore out over the long haul - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Sam S. - February 19 - 10:17 pm

  This car had pretty good reliability, but the real flaw was the interior. It really did not wear well, and started to fall apart after about 5-6 years. his included problems such as the stripping around the doors peeling off, and all of the interior door handles breaking. The air conditioning went out at about 6 years too, which is a pain. Engine wise this car never gave me any trouble, which I assume has to do with it being a Toyota engine. Just beware that though the Chevy Prizms are made by Toyota, much of the body is made and assembled by Chevy.

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  Far from best - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By ray - February 14 - 9:46 pm

  I choose this truck because the price was right, however I definitely got what I paid for. 4000 miles on it and Ive had it serviced 6 times already. Doors wont close properly when its cold, door strikers had to be replaced. Box rattled and needed parts, 4wheel drive broke and needed to be fixed, wind noise from doors... to name a few problems. Luckily it was all warranteed. Wont buy GM again.

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  1800 miles or less - 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Linda - February 14 - 9:23 pm

  I have a 2018 Equinox with 1800 miles on it. The celanoid box that controls the transmission is having issues. I was told that this is becoming a common problem. The vehicle with groan and will not shift. The next problem is that they do not make replacement parts for this yet! So my vehicle is sitting at the dealership until it can be fixed!!! They did give me a loaner (another Equinox).

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  Very disappointed - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Lin - February 10 - 1:56 am

  My Impala LT does not have a split rear seat, therefore, I will not be able to access my cables in the trunk should I have a dead battery. There is no trunk key and the inside trunk release is connected to battery power. Extremely poor design. This is the last GM car I will ever purchase after having GMs for 45 years. Toyota here I come.

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  Love my van! - 2002 Chevrolet Express
  By Susan - February 9 - 7:28 am

  I would love to drive a sporty little Thunderbird, but reality is that I have 4 teenage athletic boys. We bought the van to cart the boys (and their teams) to various sporting events, plus we like to travel. With 12 passenger seating, 6 of us can travel from MN to TX in comfort and we can haul the entire soccer/basketball/baseball team to games, no problem, yet it still fits in my garage fine. With my hitch, I can haul anything. My beefs are: braking system - pads need to be replaced often, and with the most expensive pads to keep them from squeaking badly the gas mileage stinks! Plus, I usually do end up providing transportation for the entire team/youth group, since I can.

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  2005 Avalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By unhappy chevy owner - February 6 - 11:12 am

  Transmission problems at 34,000 miles and less than 1 year of service. 2wd to 4wd selection buttons and servo motor went out at 45,000 and had to be replaced. Repaired transmission failed at 53,000 miles and is being replaced with a used transmission underneath an extended warranty purchased at a cost of $2,800 as insurace for the transmission repair. I think I should learn how to spell Toyota?