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:

• 

  Dissastisfied buyer - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Lisa Testerman - December 27 - 12:56 am

  I love how my Equinox drives, but this car has been in the shop more than it has been on the road. Ive had the brakes worked on 3 times, master cylinder replaced, the whole gearshift assembly replaced, the radio replaced, and the rotors turned twice. It also has a backfiring problem that has been in effect since 9000 miles, but no service person can duplicate the problem when they have it in the shop. I dont think I will ever purchase another Chevorlet. I just wonder if any other Equinox owners have had the problems that Ive had.

• 

  The Last Vette I will ever own - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By JefftheGreat - December 20 - 11:53 pm

  I purchased my 2006 C6 in July. Two weeks ago the rooftop flew off while I was driving on the freeway. I waited for 6 weeks for a replacement rooftop, and could only get it expedited - once the accident happened. Chevy Cust Serv - useless. They did nothing to care of me. Because of the defective roof panel, I requested a glass rooftop at no cost be installed - GM said no. This is my 2nd Vette and will be my last. Be prepared for a huge dissapointment when this car breaks down - and it will. The last American car I will ever own.

• 

  Poor Mileage - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Dogma - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Chipwich is right. I have been experiencing substantially lower mileage than advertised. I was blown off by both my dealership and Chevrolet customer service when I sought to rectify. This apparently is not a big concern to them because it is a consumer issue as opposed to a regulatory one. Very unfortunate! If you are looking for reasonable mileage, look elsewhere. Other than that ride is smooth, but interior is cheap and unsubstantial. Steering wheel blocks view of speedometer in any position and seat doesnt go back far enough to support my 6 ft frame.

• 

  Do Not Buy Chevrolet - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Tonya Thomas - December 15 - 5:44 pm

  I purchased a brand new Chevrolet Uplander and after 3000 miles I started having problems with it not cranking. Now way past lemon law requirements the vehicle is still not fixed and I am having to go to arbitration. They told me at 3000 miles this was a problem with the vast majority of the Uplanders and they did not have a fix but yet would not replace or refund. My van has been in the shop more than I have had it and now at 20,000 miles the starter is slipping and the rear passanger sliding door wont open half the time. I do not wish this hassle on anyone else because if you are like me you bought a van for a reason.

• 

  Brakes on my Chevy - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By terri - December 15 - 11:06 am

  I have driven a Chevy truck for about 20 years now. This 2006 is the first one Ive ever had trouble with. Took it back to the dealership in Opelika, Alabama a total of 7 times to get the brakes looked at. Warning lights kept coming on and also the car phone charger hasnt worked since the day it came off the lot. Im really disappointed in Chevy with this truck. The dealership would not fix it while it was under warranty and the brakes are still having major problems. Hate to say this but probably will not buy another new Chevy.

• 

  Cinder Block Seats - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Disapointed In PA - December 14 - 4:53 am

  Took this on a family trip - we have taken this trip over 75 times in the last 24 years - all but three times was this trip taken in gm cars. THIS was the worst trip as far as comfort was concerned. The seats are like foam covered cinder blocks! I am calling the dealer in the morning to do a trade for an Astro Van.

• 

  Avoid at all costs - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By kemorc - December 8 - 10:50 pm

  Ive been in the dealership for constant warranty work on this thing. Ive got the 2.2 and the terrible Getrag manual transmission. Lets start with the tires. Continentals are junk, if there is moisture on the road, traction has become a thing of the past. Brakes have ceramic pads but terrible rotors. Youll find that they warp rather quick! Engine leaks like a sieve, and Im only at 12k miles. Needs new head, valve cover gasket and if the main seals leak, those too. Transmission requires you to sit 10-15 seconds at a stop to shift into reverse. Tranny is incredibly weak, its built to withstand the engine. Anything added for performance is questionable to the tranny. Please note that this is a SAAB designed engine, and an OPEL designed car, its not truly a GM vehicle, and its starting to show, a GM vehicle wouldnt be this terrible.

• 

  Poor Quality Impala - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Jerrys Impala - December 6 - 2:51 am

  This is our first new car and it has been a horrible car. The motor burned oil for the 1st 10,000 miles when the dealer finally agreed to fix it. The service writers just laugh when the car comes in. GM has even given it an extended warranty because of all the problems. The car is great to drive with all the options when it is holding together. The car was getting 31mpg hwy when they reflashed the computer and now it gets 24mpg and the dealer says that is OK. I am now selling the car. Impalas are great cars. But I wont buy GM for a while until GM and their dealers get it together.

• 

  CRUNCH - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Bob - December 5 - 9:39 pm

  I bought a brand new 2004 Aveo in 7/2005 off the dealer lot. Several months later I started hearing popping and creaking in the front suspension area, and it got worse in the months to come. Finally took it in after a year of driving. Here is what happened. Dealer decided it must be the bushings and they replaced them, bad move bushings dont wear out in only months. Anyways, the fix didnt do very much. Turned it back in and they checked their TSB list that indicated to replace control arms. This was on their work order and receipt they gave me. For some reason they Instead decided to only torque control arms. Bad move. Still didnt fix it. Fix number 3 is in process, stay tuned

• 

  Not a bad vehicle for the price. - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Mark - December 4 - 5:20 pm

  Not a bad vehicle. My wife and I purchased this vehicle with only about 9K miles on it about 3 years ago! What a steal! Now it only has about 57K miles on it. Not bad on performance and the handling is great.