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:

• 

  You really need to drive one of these! - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Brian - July 20 - 11:26 am

  I have owned every kind of vehicle from a Hyundai Excel to a Ford F150 and everything in between. Aside from my Honda Accord, this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. Smooth. Pretty quiet, but the mirrors do make some noise. I like the way the controls are set up other than the wiper control and cruise control stalk. Why does GM insist on the same control stalk I had on my 1984 Fiero? On a $30k+ truck? Fuel mileage quite good considering this truck weighs more than my F150 ext. cab 4x4 (!!). Its sharp, relatively refined and very comfortable. I would buy another one without question, and would recommend anyone shopping SUVs gives this truck legitmate consideration.

• 

  satisfied - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By robert henry - July 20 - 10:00 am

  very able auto. alot of features and safety for the money. rich look to the body

• 

  Disappointed chevy lover - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By HMaccracken - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Bought brand new for 20000 grand. Had front brake rotors and pads replaced 3 times in the first 20000 miles, hole in battery, a/c compressor failed, rear seat belts had to be replaced, tape player quit, fuel injector failed, repeated engine light problems. I bought this car for peace of mind and reliability because my wife would be driving it with our children most of the time. My father woked for Chevy for 20 plus years and I thought I was a very loyal customer, But I am very disapponted!!!!!!! THE IMPORTS ARE KICKING OUR BUTTS!!!!!!!!!

• 

  Malibu Maxximum Repairs Required - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By thirstyduck - July 20 - 5:13 am

  This vehicle is a fair amount of fun to drive, with plenty of power and good fuel economy. The hatch is convenient, and the backseat is very roomy. To date, we have had our vehicle in for numerous repairs to the front end. Poor quality materials used have resulted in replacing the rotors more than once. The entire steering column had to be replaced a few days after purchase. Last week, a part in the steering column had to be replaced at a whopping $500.00! The control arm on the front end, and the struts also went out, among other repairs!

• 

  Why GM stock is down - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By S Anderson - July 20 - 12:52 am

  If this werent my company lease vehicle, I would have returned it. Why is Toyota about to knock GM out of the #1 car co. spot? The Uplander is a perfect example! They succeeded in making a Suburban looking minivan, and gave it a decent engine, but failed to take care of the customer. No arm rest for 2nd row bucket seats! No cup holders for 2nd row seats and pathetic front seat holders! No back air vents! 2nd and 3rd row seats weigh a ton to remove while Dodge, Honda, and Toyota have stow and go. GM can build an engine and advertise cars, but they cant design to save their lives.

• 

  Never again! - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By J.W. - July 19 - 11:01 pm

  I hate this car! Have had just over a year. Has been to the dealer 4 times since April 2005 when purchased new. Car fails to start at times. Dealer doesnt know why! Not acceptable when a small child is involved here. This is a chronic issue. Noisy right front. Again, no dealer help on this. Gauges suddenly shut off! Back to the dealer for this issue. No help that time either!! Now power steering comes and goes as if possessed! Safety issue! Was at dealer again ....and again no help!!!

• 

  2003 Silverado 4wd xcab - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By scott1450 - July 19 - 12:56 pm

  I like the truck. Bought it used 1 owner, low miles. Hasnt let me down, but has required some parts and upgrading, all of which I do myself to avoid being jacked up by the dealer. Was quite shocked at the quality of oem parts compared to years past. In one year, she needed aftermarket rotors and brakes, as the oem parts are trash. A power steering pump. Rusted lines at the pump. U joints were dried out, rusted and fused together. Underbody rust is atrocious. Front shocks gone at 55k. No engine or trans problems. Some areas are overdone and others are thrown together. Overall, I got what I paid for in todays market.

• 

  A big SUV for a big guy - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By FRW - July 19 - 10:35 am

  This is my second Tahoe Z71. My 03 was somewhat of a lemon. A beautiful vehicle, but with a number of small and one large problem. I took a chance and bought another and I am glad I did. I am a big guy 6 ft 250 and need a big vehicle. I love this truck. It is comfortable, roomy, good off road and in bad weather. It carries pretty much everythig I need to carry and can pull what cant be carried. Does everybody need a full size SUV, no. But America is the land of choices and I am glad that I have the choice to own a Tahoe. My wife owns a Land Cruiser that cost $15,000 more and it doesnt have near the power, comfort, room, amenities or gas mileage(the Tahoes could be better).

• 

  Gotta love it! - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Good thoughts! - July 18 - 11:01 pm

  Great car for the money. I love the gas mileage but without the A/C on. I have owned my Malibu for 10 months and am very satisfied with my purchase. I have three children and there is enough room for them all. I highly recommend this car to others looking for a reasonable, cute, car.

• 

  Great overall car, very reliable - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By David - July 18 - 10:01 pm

  I bought this car looking for a car that would start everytime. This car has yet to fail me. With regular scheduled maintnence i have not had to put any additional money into it. The car gets excellent fuel economy for the stress I put it through. I drove 300 miles with 3 other passengers with the AC on 5 the whole time there and i got 29 MPG highway. I thought that was awesome!