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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  Above Average Repair Costs at 78,000 mi - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Coleman - July 29 - 3:09 pm

  I have spent over $4400 in repairs in 05/06 - 78,000- 91,000 miles - upper & lower ball joints, wheel bearings, oxygen sensor, oil cooler lines, shocks, brakes, belts, and tune- up. There is a moisture problem with the rotor cap screen which affects performance. The plastic club door latch broke off at 60,000 ($145 repair) and the passenger seat recliner arm busted ($245 repair).The current Consumer Report lists the S10 on the Worst Car List. I spend over $300 per month on gas for work. I am going broke owning this vehicle but the mechanics keep telling me "its a good truck." I have not yet hit 100,000 miles and am worried about whats ahead. Anyone out there have similar stories?

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  Dont buy one - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Ruth - July 29 - 10:05 am

  I have own mind for three years. It has the V8, and it does get up and go. But its been in the shop for things like two new transmisions, still giving me trouble as I write this. Several air conditioning problems since new, and finally last year it ate it self up and they had to replace the whole air conditioner, including all the belts. Right now I have a light on the dash telling me according to the dealer that I have to pay $350 for them to tell me why? I purchase the added protection just about everything they wanted me to purchase, now its all ran out! Before the warranty ran out I was protected. What do I do now since the dealer told me that the air bags arent working?

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  What were they thinking? - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By P.F. - July 29 - 8:26 am

  My overall review of the car is favorable. However, the design of the dashboard is flawed. The instrument panel lighting is horrible. During daytime there is no light to view the instrument panel. You cannot read the panel easily. Also, I would think for the cost the remote access control would be a "learning" remote that remembers each respective seat setting. It goes back to neutral each time, so if you dont press your pre-set seating requirements each time, mirrors and seat have to be readjusted. Navigation system is not passenger-use friendly. You cant use it while moving, a feature that would be nice. I understand why the driver shouldnt use it while driving but what about the co-pilot?

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  Love my Equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Melissa - July 28 - 11:06 pm

  My only complaint about this vehicle is that the gas tank is very small. I feel like I have gotten to know the staff at my local gas station really well in the last few months. The fuel economy is above average, but not the tank size! I love every other aspect. It handles really well in all weather conditions, and is just fun to drive. It is also very easy to carry large items because the rear seats are easy to fold, not to mention the towing capacity.

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  Go Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By FL Banker - July 28 - 5:30 pm

  Smooth ride, exceptional power, drinks gas like a 4 cylinder, very comfortable driving position due to tilt/telescoping wheel, power seat and lumbar adjustment for my back. Headlights are extremely bright (almost like HIDs) and the lighted cruise and radio controls on the steering wheel are not often found even on premium vehicles. Way to go Chevy!

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  07 Coupe - 2007 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Tim - July 28 - 7:00 am

  Just took delivery of an 07 coupe, Lemans Blue, casmere interior, LT3, chrome wheels, magnetic suspension and NAV system. My first Vette, never had a sports car before so I cant compare it. I am still in shock that I have it, only 300 mi. in two days, no problems yet. It is everything and more that I hoped for. Interior is fantastic and comfy, the leather sport seats are excellent. The car is so classy without being in your face. I already have had so many strangers both young, old, male and female comment and want to know about it. It blows my mind. I dont know if they upgraded the quality of the interior for 07, but it looks and feels first class to me. Buy one, you wont regret it.

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  Babe the blue ox - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Art Daniels - July 28 - 12:36 am

  My daughter calls it Babe because it is big and blue (like Paul Bunyans Ox). The Suburban is by far the most roomy of all other vehicles I have owned. We are a family of big people. I have three sons each over six feet tall my daughter is 59 and my wife is 511" and when we have taken road trips to Oregon and Arizona it has been very nice. It has the large 454 engine and with a few minor adjustments to the exhaust and intake I have managed to squeeze as much as 14 MPG on the highway while pulling a trailer. I know that the new trucks get much better mileage. But I just love this one so much I will most likely keep it as long as the oil reserves do not run out.

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  Lots of Fun for Not a Ton (of $) - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Gene - July 27 - 10:08 pm

  I cut my performance car teeth on the likes of a Chevelle SS396 and can honestly say that this Malibu SS is a blast to drive. Different of course, but the fun factor has returned. One has to be ready for some pretty heavy torque steer, but once adjusting for that the car can launch "very energetically". The SSs styling and stance are executed very nicely, and it doesnt look like a clone of everything else on the road. The seats are very comfortable, the controls are simple and have a good feel, and it has excellent load capacity, especially in the trunk. The relatively low price for the performance is a definite bonus. Test one, youll like it! Good job, Chevrolet and GM Performance!

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  Good deal - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By jim - July 27 - 1:41 pm

  I purchased a new sedan with manual for $7345. Deducted my GM balance of 3395. and walked out with a new vehicle for under $4000. Does it get any better than that? 35 mpg so far and fun to drive. Plus a 60,000 mile warranty. I can add air, and cruise if I desire, and CD players are available at salvage yards for under $100.

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  OK for Now - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Lynley - July 27 - 12:28 pm

  I like my car, dont get me wrong. It gets great gas mileage, it was affordable, and its nice to look at. But I cant wait till I can afford more horsepower and luxury seating.