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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  Below Average - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By thestuff - June 27 - 11:56 am

  Poor buy on my end. The metal around the gas cap is already bubbling, front wheel bearing and idle control sensor has also gone out on me. Also had a problem with the Dexcool in it turning to sludge and, as a result, looks like I might have to replace an intake manifold gasket. Gas mileage is great for this car, but the bad far outweighs the good. It can be peppy at times but it just feels cheap and based on the money Ive invested in it, Id say its not worth even looking at one of these cars.

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  Nice Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Steve - June 27 - 9:26 am

  This is a nice, quite functional vehicle with lots of 1st class features. I did have trouble with the tailgate lock that took 3 or 4 trips to the dealer to get properly repaired.

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  Deceptive car - 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
  By CRYSTAL - June 26 - 6:44 pm

  Cannot lower the front of the driver seat nor tilt the headrest after 3 years Ive replaced half of everything that makes the car run water pumps $200 fan assemblies hoses belts air intakes metal lines after 3 years a car should not have to have this much work done where I live the speed limit does not get over 55 miles per hour my car still looks brand spanking new but is falling apart

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  Finally - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Mark Willetts - June 26 - 3:50 pm

  Been waiting for six months to purchase. Only driven 400 miles so far ,but very happy with the whole package. Traded a Focus. The HRR has more power and is very comfortable. Styling is great, and I like it much more than the PT Cruiser. (Wife has one and I have driven both)

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  another bad car - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By scordy - June 26 - 10:00 am

  i have a 2003 chevy hd 2500, i hav had it in the shop more than not. i have gon through 2 transmissions, one alternator, one starter, and it is now having troubel with the cooling system. all at 12,000 miles

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  A very sweet truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Andrew - June 26 - 2:16 am

  This is my first vehicle, and I leased a 4WD Z71 crew. Its finished in victory red and has chrome pipe steps and the locking hard tonneau cover. The truck is VERY sharp looking and I get plenty of comments on how sharp it is. It is easily the best looking pickup in the segment right now. The I5 engine sounds so good when you rev it up. Its so unique. The transmission is flawless and shifts very well. Ratios are well chosen for a 4-speed auto. The 220hp is great when you tromp the pedal from 40mph. It downshifts into first and will rev up to 6000 until you hit 50mph! This thing really tachs out and revs nicely. I am very pleased with this truck and I would gladly buy another.

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  Agree w/Good Frosting, Bad Cake - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CM 2000 malibu - June 25 - 5:04 pm

  Ive had nothing but problems after I bought this car. Water coolant light come on corrrectly because antifreeze did leak. Manifold replaced. Hazard light switch replaced because it caused electrical problems with turn signals. Still havent fiqured out why theres some interference with the CD playing. Automatic Transmission, had something replaced because it wouldnt shift into reverse sometimes. Rotors&pads trash. From the looks I thought I liked but engine is trash. Other reviews on this site that okay this car because the problems they had were covered under warrant dont make sense. A problem is a problem even if under warranty. Wait till the warranty runs out and you find more problems. Ive owned Chevys before and loved them. Other than the engine & electical& trans problems the cars ok. But the engine is the reason for a car

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  Side impact totaled at 25mph - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ron - June 25 - 2:33 pm

  I was hit by a vehicle on the passenger side in a 25mph zone and the car went up on two wheels, a tota ! With only 1,000 miles on it, the vehicle was considered worth only just over $18,000. It listed at over $25,000 three weeks earlier. I would never buy a GM product again, espically since I was nearly killed in this one -- air bags never went off either. GM was less than compasionate!

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  2004 tracker is a great little SUV - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By shming007 - June 25 - 12:51 pm

  The Chevy Tracker ZR2 is the best vehicle I have ever had. I have never slipped a tire in the snow and ice even when other vehicles around me are slidding everywhere. When I put my foot on the accelerator I can get out of any situation.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Keithk71 - June 25 - 12:35 pm

  Bought new in 2004. Fun car to drive, very happy overall. Has been very sound mechanically. Only minor problems blown front drivers door speaker, drivers side seat bolsters needed replacing, passenger side power window regulator needed replacing. All fixed under warranty. Biggest issue: GM doesnt fit their performance cars with adequate brakes. Prone to warpage, had same problem with 2002 WS-6 T/A. I have a set of Baer Brakes on order to fix the problem. Still, best perfomance car value out there! Cant wait to get a new Z06!