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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  fooled - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By miffed - August 31 - 2:00 am

  Had a chevy z-24 prior to buying the standard 2 door coupe and loved it!! So much has gone wrong with this car I dont even know where to start. The transmision is new, the engine gasket, numerous brake problems, water pump, new trunk latch, alternator, and much more that I am forgeting about at the moment. I am so fed up with chevy that I now refuse to buy another GM product!!! I would advise any one looking into buying a car to stay away from the cavalier. The only good thing about the car is the sticker price but you will end up paying alot more.

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  Dont buy this one! - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Hansenvl61 - August 29 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing but problems. I will never buy another chevy, no lie.

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  6 month old 2014 Silverado Clunking Truck - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Brian - August 24 - 7:22 am

  Within last month when i go to slow down it makes a clunking noises underneath. Sounds like the driveshaft or u joint is clunking. Took to dealer they had it 4 days and told me it was fine. They said everything is normal. It also has rattling noises in cab. So a truck that i bought new with 11,000 miles on it today making clunking noises is normal. Well that sucks. The dealer is of no help they say GM says its normal too.

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  I hate my blazer - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tlid - August 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1999 Blazer in december 2001. Its a4 Dr LS and it had 28,000 miles on it when i bought it. It appeared to be in great condition and relatively low mileage. Within 7 months of having the vehicle, I had to replace the engine coolant lines, rear drive train, front wheel bearings, front brakes, and the serpentine belt. The transmission may go anytime. Any car will start to have problems but the amount of major repairs it has needed is rediculous. Its a V-6 but drives like a V-4, and has problems climbing hills. It doesnt seem to handle bumps/off-roading all that well which is rediculous considering that is what it was designed for.

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  Unreliable vehicle - 1995 Chevrolet Beretta
  By Lulu - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but problems from the beginning when pruchased NEW! Brake problems constantly, ABS problems, cloth seat covers not holding up at all, "plastic" console cracked, replaced and cracked again! The elastic on the visors wore out in no time. Door lock broken. Hood latch cable broken. Gas gauge works intermittenly. Defroster vents on dash board loose. A/C lost its cool! Original tires lasted 30,000 miles.

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  Stay Away from 2000 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By GM Sucks - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Never again will I buy a GM car. After 36,000 Miles (just when the warrenty ended) the manual transmission 5th gear synch went. $1200 to fix. I also heard that rear axle is supposed to go, havent had a problem yet at 60,000miles. Trying to sell. The body is starting to come off though.

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  What a Mess - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jim - August 11 - 6:33 pm

  As others here stated, driveline noise, sloshing fuel tank noise and bangs, bumps, thumps, clunks, clangs, uncomfortable squishy, sinking seats, roof line is too low,

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  Unreliable SUV - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By NItia - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck used in April 2001. Ever since, this truck has been nothing but TROUBLE! The EGR vavle went twice,the trucks main computer("brain") went,the fuel pump& tank went and needed to be replaced,all six fuses blew out,and those also needed to be replaced twice, plus I needed to add front and rear brakes amung MANY OTHER things that all failed in the matter of 1 year. Ive put well over $2500 worth of work on this truck and now my transmission is going, the car wont go past 5 mpr and the speedometer doesnt work sometimes. I cant wait to pay this off and get a new truck. I will NEVER buy a blazer again! Think before you do!!!!

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  hard to service - 1993 Chevrolet Astro
  By bvinton - August 10 - 2:00 am

  to change spark plugs pull tires off for 2 ,then two through hood, 2 through inside engine hood. mechanics hate them because you cant get to any thing on the engine,150 dollars for labor to put manifold gasket in.doesnt have half the passing power of my 6 cylinder dodge caravan.would never purchase another one

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  Avoid at all costs - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Matt198 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car new at the beginning of 1998. Within four months/4,000 miles, the car had its first problem-- ruptured fuel pump I think--and that was only the beginning. Over the course of the next two or so years, the car, an automatic, would sporadically stall without warning or cause. On top of all that, GM refused to acknowledge the problem until the car stalled out as I was leaving the dealership. Anyway, I sold the car during summer 2000 and bought a Protege--I couldnt be happier with the new car.