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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  WHERES MY TRANSMISSION ? - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By cmp glsn - May 2 - 10:00 am

  At 35,000 miles I lost reverse, second and my overdrive gears. The GM technician commented that there were problems like mine in the GM trucks that have identical transmissions. At 74,000 miles it fails again. Now here I sit, thinking GM will stand behind their product. WRONG!!! I asked GM if they are able to build a transmission that could last more than 35,000 miles...they laughed at me. I work for Goodyear/Gemini and you only have one shot with your customer. GM blew it!!! I would never treat my customers this way if I knew they felt uncomfortable with any product or service that I sold. BUY TOYOTA!!! Your best deal is great service, not a great price.

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  2004 Impala SS - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By RepeatChevyDriver - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Having been tempted to purchase a new Impala SS in 1996 but not doing so and observing the cult following the model has had since 1996, it was intriguing to hear that a 2004 version was being built. The current SS will never have the same aura as the 94-96 rigs because of its FWD V6 configuration, but it is still a marked improvement over the base and LS models. The 2004 Impala SS is also a great bargain in comparison to other similarly equipped vehicles. It feels great to drive and has a lot of available acceleration at any speed. I may seriously consider trading it in, though, if the rumors are true and a RWD V8 Impala is on the way.

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  Quality Issues Already - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Unhappy Owner - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I purchased an 03 Silverado 3 days ago & already its at the shop. A vacuum assist pump is continually running making a very load noise from behind the dash. The dealer says they cant do anything & that this noise annoys their mechanics also. Numerous mechanics have complained about this noise, but Chevy corporate has done nothing. Good old American engineering! It’s been 21 years since my last Chevy & the experience is starting out like the last one (bad!). Also, had a paint problem upon delivery. If Chevy keeps this up there will be many unemployed Chevy workers looking for jobs at 711.

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  Best Car I Have or Will Ever Own - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Miss Q - May 2 - 4:43 am

  This car is my baby! I have had only one problem in 4.5 years which is a problem I have heard is very common in GM cars with this engine and that is the intake gasket. They really need to recall it and fix it. Other than that, no problems whatsoever and I have almost 90,000 on mine. I love it and will drive it until it literally falls apart. Then, Ill retire it and buy another!

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  2000 Convertible O Fun - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Pooh - May 1 - 4:37 pm

  I own the 2000 Millennium Yellow Six-Speed Vette. It is a great vehicle. Has a few problems that GM ignored at first but later fixed such as the locked steering wheel but, for the most part it is a great car.

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  Dependable - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dependable - May 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck used. This truck has gone through hell and back. I have never had any major problems with it. Great truck for the northeast and the snow. For a truck it is not bad on gas. I get 16 in the city and up to 23 on the highway.

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  A Total Lemon - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Matt - May 1 - 6:30 am

  I bought my Colorado brand new, and have had nothing but trouble with it. Its died on me twice, I continue to have problems with the cd player. The AC squeals like a stuck pig, plastic molding had warped, carpeting comes up in chunks of fuzz. Ive had problems with the ignition switch, airbag sensor, cruise control light, and interior paneling. The interior is of very cheap material and reeks of poor design. Its a sharp looking truck, and when its not in the shop it drives and handles ok. Unless youre a die hard Chevy fan, Id advise you to look elsewhere for a truck. Based on my experience with this, Ill never buy another Chevy truck.

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  mostly dissapointing but good daily driver - 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By joker42369 - April 30 - 8:46 pm

  I had this car for 4 years with leather interiour and 3.1L engine. For the driving enthusiast which i am, this car was a dissapointment. It rolls around turns and is just way too slow. However, it started up every day for me with no problems ever, and stayed together pretty nice considering how bad i beat it up. The leather interiour was nice and the confiest coupe you can find. mileage was about 17-18 city. looks good only from a few angles.

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  Chevrolet Equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Rebecca Thayer - April 30 - 3:30 am

  I have had my car for 3 weeks. It has a lot of power and an amazing turning radius. The interior window display and cup holders are awkwardly placed but I love the space allotted between the two front seats. Its a very smooth ride. XM radio is awesome.The back seat space is great. Its a perfect car for a mom. Lots of power and smooth ride. Easy to handle.

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  Honestly enjoy it! - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Heather - April 29 - 11:43 pm

  Bought our Impala (base model) after I was hit and my 1992 Pontiac Bonneville was totaled. Ride is wonderful. Plenty of room for our family of 5 and can seat 6. I have had toruble with my turning signals ot working properly. Weve had the multi-function switch replaced twice and its now acting up again. Oddly enough, I can some times get the signal to work if I put hazard lights on while the switch is in place for turning. Playing around with it usually can get the signal going again. I wish we had bought the LS model. Our daughter is soon to be driving and she has picked out a 2000 Impala in the LS model. The ride is that good that she passed up the little Mitsubishi Eclipse! Impressive.