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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  Looks can be deceiving - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By fatmawyer - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Looks very sporty at the dealer, but not so on the road. The only possibility for performance is with the v6 setup and the manual transmission. I had the 4 with automatic. Xtremely poor performance. The build quality was horrible. The rotors went bad after 20k miles, the transmission needed an overhaul after 30k, and at 56k the truck was having trouble starting. I was very disappointed and after trading in the truck (after ENORMOUS depreciation-over 60% of original value in 2.5 years and 56k miles) and purchasing japanese, I will never buy american again, the quality just doesnt exist.

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  Motor Problems - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Mike 45 - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Venture off a lease from a GM dealer. Now 2 1/2 years later with only 58,000 miles I need a new engine. Buyers beware

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  MalibuLemon - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By NoMoreChevys - May 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought a Lemon! Bought car in 97 and loved it for about six months. 3 factory alternators, power-steering replaced, power window problems, engine is noisy, Front speakers broke. Seat belts have been replaced, front lights leak, tail lights blow blulbs, too many problems to list all of them. Car has over 139,000 miles & V-6 has lost its get up and go. Will NEVER buy another. Too many problems both minor and major!

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  Astro - 1997 Chevrolet Astro
  By Ian Leigh - May 23 - 2:00 am

  Very poorly made. Falling apart with less than 51000 miles and maintained by the book

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  Tracker Review - 2000 Chevrolet Tracker
  By DirectorB - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Well I did put a lot of miles on it and it hasnt given me any major problems. But exterior is falling apart. The top is tearing up at the seams after 3 years and rear bumper has lost all of it screws. The interior was decent except that the window regulator went bad and the A/C fan doesnt blow. If you decide to get one, inspect it very carefully.

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  TOO MANY PROBLEMS FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By NEVERBUYANOTHER - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Piece of Junk - Very dissatisfied owner. I had following problems. Delivered with bad alignment 3rd row seat is all plastic not leather as advertised Horn burnt out at 36,000 Steering squeeks, is notchy and stiff Transmission slipped at 49,000 miles Fuel pump needed replacement at 20,000 Throttle body needed replacement at 16,000 Needed new battery at 32,000

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  My car is always broken! - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Unsatisfied cavalier - May 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had almost everything fixed and it just keeps breaking down. I bought it used as a bargain, and it has been far from that. Ive put more money into than I paid for it just three years ago. Off the top of my head, things that have been replaced are the entire cooling system, the computer chip, brakes more than once, air conditioner, and the inside is falling apart!

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  Car Just Sucks! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Spent - May 12 - 2:00 am

  This car I bought new and whatta mistake. Repairs, Uncomfortable, you name it. Whatta junker. Buy a Honda or Toyota and dont feel guilty. USA car makers should be embarrased for GM.

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  It didnt SPARK a fire - 2016 Chevrolet Spark
  By Diana - May 8 - 1:08 am

  I rented a 2016 Chevrolet Spark and enjoyed the spaciousness of the small car interior. While driving the car was rear-ended on a highway. Both front seats broke causing the bulk of the injuries. The seat-belts stayed in tact and we were glad to have them. Seat backs broke allowing myself and my passenger to be injured by the seats. Additionally, the seats came apart from the frame. If you choose this car, please choose a bright color to help other drivers to see your little car. If you choose this car, you are trading safety for cost; is that a good trade for you? It was not a good trade for me, even as a rental car. Seats were not available in the rating criteria. The safety section of the rating criteria does not provide for broken seats.

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  My Last Blazer - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By bboydwil - May 5 - 2:00 am

  Since I have owned: Rebuilt Transmission, Power steering repair, starter repair, etc. Handles on both fronts seats broke off from poor design. Can not see over headrest to see to turn, etc. No overhead back seat light, very dark. Shocks for back hatch window came off. I have a friend who has a 1998 blazer and they dislike it as much as I do. If only I had read this review before I bought my Blazer.