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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  I wouldnt choose an Uplander as my 1st - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Yvonne Sween - April 27 - 5:54 pm

  We have some problems with our 05 Uplander. The outside trim has been replaced twice and still is crooked. Our airbag had to be tightened and we still have a loud rattle sound under our dash. Overall I would buy a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odessey if I was to do it over again.

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  Dissapointing - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Mark - April 26 - 5:49 pm

  Nice van, but a royal piece of garbage, GM made a serious design flaw in its intake manifold gasket, admitting fault but refusing to look after its customers. I now have engine damage on an otherwise good vehicle.GM made a serious mistake here, this is my first and last GM product. Based strictly on GM NOT standing behind their product. I have had a much better experience with Chrysler, and should have stuck with them. Lesson here GM is in huge financial trouble, why because people are purchasing vehicules from manufacturers that stand behind them.

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  Not the best truck - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Dennis - April 26 - 8:02 am

  We bought it with 65,000 miles on it. It was never used for towing or off road. We have had to replace the transmission, fuel pump/sending unit, alternator. Still have to replace A/C lines to rear A/C. They rusted. Imagine that...they are run along the inside of the frame. the blinker switch is bad, there is a sensor in the steering column that senses the speed of your turning and boosts the power steering as needed. It boosts on its own once in a while. Scary when you are driving through a curve. The 4 wheel drive service light comes on now and we already had some sensors replaced a few months ago. I cannot figure out why the transmission would fail before 100,000 miles.

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  Like a rock - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By mouse - April 25 - 1:44 pm

  The Ventura van is a comfortable riding van. I have owned one of the past 3 years and have enjoyed it. Changes to the interior such as reinforced brackets on driver seat controls(electeric front seat) made of plastic, use metal, mine has broken twice. The lever on the driver side seat has stripped and the glove box handle should be made of metal. Blinker bulbs are very hard to change. Standard radio in all vans should be CD player. Next model make the arm rest wider and about 2in higher. Swivel head rest and deeper cushion in seats. Round swivel air vents would be prefered to square flat. Swivel lights in top of van for map reading. Child car seats in all back seats or option upon buying.

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  2002 2-DR Blazer - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By KH1693 - April 25 - 1:28 pm

  Would not recommend this vehicle for purchase. It looks pretty good, inside and out, has plenty of room, but definitely not a safe vehicle. Also, several little electrical quirks, like radio stations changing on their own and guages sometimes erratic. Doesnt hold value. Overall, not a good purchase.

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  This SUV Stinks! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By RB14 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  4 Transmission Problems, starting at 12000 miles, transmission re-built at 43000 miles. Also other annoying problems, 3 recalls, expensive to maintain and rides rough even when brand new. Cant use lemon law because problems were all VERY SLIGHTLY different. My next car will be a Honda.

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  Wish I hadnt - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By kgonz - April 24 - 6:56 am

  Have only had this car for 3 months, and Im more than ready to get rid of it. Cant stand the hideous gas mileage Im getting (13.5mpg). And the obnoxiously loud "ding ding ding" of the interior alert. I was told that when the "fuel low" alert turned on, it meant I had about 40 miles left. It ended up being more like 10 miles-which left me stranded on the highway in the rain! Think this is the last American car Ill buy, most definitely the last Chevy.

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  Questionable at Best - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Lars_220 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Any consumers that are considering buying a Monte Carlo between 1995 - 1999 should strongly reconsider. I didnt know until after I bought it that they got such poor reviews. Mechanically, the car is horrible. In the almost 4 years that I have had it, I have put in over 5000 dollars into the car. Major engine and transmission problems were a large portion of that money.

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  Not bad but not good either. - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By truck owner - April 19 - 2:42 pm

  I have been the original owner of my 2001 Chevy Tahoe Z71. I have had minimal trouble with it. I now have 100,000 miles on it and am starting to expeience some difficulties. The window motors are starting to burn up and the windshield washer motors are starting to crack and fail due to freezing. I have concerns about the transmission. It has been known to slip and I am the last one of all of my friends that has not had the transmission rebuilt. I have done all regular maintenance and I change the oil every 500 miles. My complaints are not with fuel mileage as I have the 5.3L motor and I average 15-16 mpg and I have more room than a 4Runner that get about the same mileage. Poor handling!

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  Bigger is not necesarily better. - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By runwithsue - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Malibu because it was larger than the 1995 Cavalier and a quieter ride, but I have many more problems with the Malibu than I ever had with the Cavalier. I am at 51,000 miles and about to replace the rotors, which have warped for the second time. The air conditioner keeps switching off for no reason as does the air re-circulation. In a heavy rain, my brake lights shorted out. Im afraid I will be going a new direction for the next new vehicle.