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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  Above Average Repair Costs at 78,000 mi - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Coleman - July 29 - 3:09 pm

  I have spent over $4400 in repairs in 05/06 - 78,000- 91,000 miles - upper & lower ball joints, wheel bearings, oxygen sensor, oil cooler lines, shocks, brakes, belts, and tune- up. There is a moisture problem with the rotor cap screen which affects performance. The plastic club door latch broke off at 60,000 ($145 repair) and the passenger seat recliner arm busted ($245 repair).The current Consumer Report lists the S10 on the Worst Car List. I spend over $300 per month on gas for work. I am going broke owning this vehicle but the mechanics keep telling me "its a good truck." I have not yet hit 100,000 miles and am worried about whats ahead. Anyone out there have similar stories?

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  Lemon - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By unhappy - July 27 - 2:10 am

  My vehicle has given me nothing but problems. My key continued to get stuck in the ignition and I had to take my car to get fixed 6 or 7 times until it was right. When I bought the car my bumper was not put on correctly. I have also had 4 different interior problems. The paint on the stereo came off, the fake chrome on the door handles was coming apart, the paint on the door pocket that you pull to close the door was chipping, and the carpet on the door was cut too short. I think the car is poorly made.

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  Liked my Venture Better - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By bamman - July 25 - 1:39 pm

  Overall I like to appearance of the Uplander but the reliability of this vehicle is horrible. Ive had the rotors replaced twice, new tires, the lights (internal & external) flicker constantly and their is a constant buzz in the windshield (I have a friend with the same van and the same buzz). My Venture was a nicer vehicle.

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  Poor quality - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rt - July 24 - 9:16 pm

  In the first 22,000 miles I had to take this truck back to the dealer 9 times. I am constantly having problems with the windshield wipers, and various squeaks and rattles from the dash. Had to have the transmission reprogramed because it was clunking, the bed repainted because it was peeling, the steering shaft fixed becuase it was knocking, and many minor repairs, like the cigarette lighter not working. However, if the truck did not have these problems I would have been very satisfied with it. But based on the experience I have had I would not get another Chevy.

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  It seems like one thing after another - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By MICKITUP - July 22 - 12:46 pm

  I bought my 99 4wd in 2004 w/60,000 miles, now w/172,500 things are going wrong. 3 sets of tires(allignment, ball joints) 2 sets of rotors & brakes. Ive replaced the fuel, water, & P/S pump. My battery also leaked acid & the cables melted to the battery. Flickering lights, jiggling doors, the radio turns off/on by itself ,A/C wont blow on high, 2 broken door handles. Only the driver can control the power windows (bad switch) So After owning this Tahoe for 2 1/2 years & not being able to smog it due to a leaky injector in the 5th cyl.(recalled by Chevy) the DMV wont issue plates or send me the pink until she passes smog .Regardless of all this, Im buying a new Tahoe and will always drive a Chevy.

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  bad air bags - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By EEDDD - July 21 - 2:00 am

  our truck lasted 40 days &the air bag light came on. took a week to get parts. lasted 4days. air bag light is on again. Called chevy in detroit, they acted as if they couldnt possibly have cared less. This will be my last chevy. $27,000 sticker and it doesnt even go 90 days without problems. I still think they should replace the vehicle

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  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!!!!!!!!!

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  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!

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  1990 Chevy Beretta - 1990 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Rachel - July 18 - 5:14 pm

  Its a good car, but I got mine in bad shape. My 90 Beretta right now takes $180 in gas a week., and that shouldnt happen. I think thats just because it needs a lot of work.

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  Decent car for the price - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jason - July 18 - 10:01 am

  I have owned this car for at least 4 months, put about 3k miles on it, and already Ive had to get it into the shop, once for an oil leak, another for the timing-chain valve cover, and guess what? I just found out I have to take it in for repairs that will run me about $915-950. My power window motors are also showing signs of the motor dying. Id strongly advise any Cavalier Z24 buyers to keep an eye on the engine repeatedly after the purchase.