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:

• 

  Horrible-DO NOT BUY!!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Blizz - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive been the owner of a 1999 Malibu for less then one year. Ive had problems with it since day 1. Ive spent over $1,500 in repairs so far. I will never by a Malibu or a Chevy as long as I live. Besides being unreliable it is not a comfortable car to drive. Its makeshift features help give the appearence of a luxury car however that presumption is quickly corrected.

• 

  this man will NEVER drive another Chevy - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By witherspoon75 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was the poorest bult automobile I have ever owned. Since puchase date(Oct. 1999) I have replaced TWO, yes two transmissions (first at 72k, second at 94k). Each one falling just out of warrenty coverage of course. I have also replaced TWO, yes two radiators (first at 62k, second at 115k). Not done yet, oh no, not by a long shot. The air conditioning worked for the first two months I owned the vehicle. Afok BEST ADVICE_DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE!

• 

  Impala Woes - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By derek8155 - March 3 - 2:00 am

  This is a nice car but suffers from quality problems. I had to replace all 4 rotors 5 times in 100,000 miles due to warping. I also had numerous problems with the steering and shaking. The two things you dont want problems with are steering and braking. GM had no real solution to these problems so I am getting rid of it and buying a Camry.Its unfortunate as this was my first American car I have ever purchased in 30 years and probably my last!!!

• 

  Dont buy a Chevy Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By andrew allocco - March 3 - 2:00 am

  The top of the line LT model is a piece of junk. Within first year the AC fan motor broke, front seat rails were cracked,front shock absorber bad, driver heated seat doesnt heat, engine pings and knocks real bad even if using high test,other people have same problem, fuel gauge doesnt read correctly,electrical problem with clock/radio (a friend who also owns a 2001 LT has same problem) Chevy makes these trucks in Mexico.The quality just isnt there. Friend has had to replace electric window motor on the same door three times in the past 2 years with AC Delco Mexican parts they repeatedly broke. Chevy/GM customer service is a joke.

• 

  Gasket Problems! - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Rob Barth - February 27 - 2:00 am

  The Venture does fine until the coolant mixes with the engine oil, sometimes requiring a new engine. This seems to happen anytime after 40,000 miles. GM is not always willing to help with the costs, which can cost $4,000! The same plastic compound gasket is still being used as a Chevy mechanic has told me.

• 

  Never buying American again....... - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By exchevyman - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1998 Chevy S-10, 4WD extended cab, 55000mi....waste of my hard earned money. I DO NOT ABUSE THIS TRUCK. My driveshaft snapped out and dropped out my truck....please explain how this can happen? From day one nothin but problems. Interior: visor broke off in my hand, passenger seat adjustment broke off in my hand and intermittent power window problems. Exterior: wash and wax regularly and everytime I do I find chipped paint and rust spots, cracked side view mirror casing, 3rd door hand broke off in hand. Mechanical: front cv joint boot just came off, spare tire holder broke, brakes are less than par DONT BUY THIS TRUCK!

• 

  You made a mistake - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By GMC - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Sorry to tell you this, but your Jimmy/Blazier will cause you nothing but headaches.. My wife has a 98 Jimmy with endless problems and has already rolled it due to its narrow design. I am sorry you spent alot of money on this SUV. We did too! and the resale value has dropped or dumped from $33000 new to 13000 in just 5 years! Lots of problems that the dealer refused to fix under warrenty. Had to threaten to sue to get it fixed... I hope you GMC works out better for you then ours did.. Bought a Honda Pilot... Best desision we ever made. and resale is going to be great too.. goodluck

• 

  Think Before You Buy. - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By HateThisBlazer - February 23 - 10:00 am

  Very dissapointing car. It will be my last GM product. Have owned 9 GMs and none have been like this. Has two transmission vale bodies replaced. ($1400.00) Two front wheel bearings ($900.00) oil cooler lines replaced (Warranty) Broken seat adjusters (Warranty) Fuel gauge sending unit replaced to make fuel gauge work ($600.00) All of this before it hit 70,000 miles. Completely not exceptable. The vehicle has been driven easy and maintained exceptionally, just poor quality parts from the factory.

• 

  Very Disappointed - 1998 Chevrolet Venture
  By Poor sucker - February 22 - 2:00 am

  We bought our van 2 years old with 38,000 miles and have had unbelievable problems. Headlight lens "fell off" driving on highway, cost to replace was $500. Also, nearly everything inside the vehicle is plastic and is falling apart, door latch on sliding door snapped off ($80 repair), rear taillight lens broke off, have replaced water pump, currently in shop for $2,000 engine repairs on blown head gasket. Will never own another GM product.

• 

  Never again - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By trimom - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Maybe the dealership sold us a lemon, but we have had problems from day one. We had to replace our tires the first time at under 10,000 miles because we could not keep the alignment in check. This van is on its fourth set of tires and I have lost count of the alignments we have had done. We take good care of our cars as far as preventive maint., but this van has been nothing but trouble. By the way, it only has 49,000 miles on it. Other problems included air conditioning problems. I have rthe safety reviews of this van and it is listed as "poor". My suggestion is if you want a minivan, get a minivan.