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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  Hindsight is 20/20 - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By Danzjeepn - June 26 - 2:00 am

  Fit and Finish is poor - Rubber seal around windshield flew off, seatbelt gets soaked during rain for some reason (dealer doesnt know either) making the interior have a wonderful aroma, and the rubber pedals keep coming off the clutch and brake. The tires suck and are downright dangerous in the rain, for a 4cyl mpg is terrible, A/C keeps cutting off during the commute, some quirky thing about the 2.2 engine, but it is brutal in the Florida heat.

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  98 Blazer - Mine is a lemon - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Pamela Mann - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Rear suspension problems from month one. Local dealer could/would not fix to my satisfaction and would not assist with further investigation. They did admit to suspension problem but did nothing to permanently solve the problem. Many additional shakes and rattles in car body and engine. I have since moved and received 200% better service from Team Chevrolet in Alpharetta Georgia. (although I still think the car is a lemon).

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  Buy a Mustang - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Stangowner - June 19 - 2:00 am

  It was a great car at first. But then the brakes started to squeal. I was find with that until I was driving down the high way and the engine died. I couldnt get it started again, so i just got rid of it and got my self a Mustang GT. I suggest you do the same.

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  Chevy Blazer is a joke - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Mike Reis - June 18 - 2:00 am

  If you enjoy going to the repair shop, and being without your car for extended periods, this is the car for you. I treated my Blazer with kid gloves and performed regular maintenance. But it always broke down. Major repairs included the transmission, suspension, alternator, exhaust, and more. To add insult to injury, I had purchased an extended warranty. The only "guarantee" was that Chevy service would hassle you every time you brought it in and make you wait weeks at a time. Gas tank is far too small for such as guzzler, and the stereo broke three times to boot. Fun to drive, but it was in the shop so often, Im not sure.

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  throwaway car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By cavhater - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car as a replacement for a Jetta that was a money pit. Bad move! At least the J looked better! Ignition switch went out after 55k miles, leaks oil, ABS light has been on for weeks, and it has no personality whatsoever. On my way to get a Honda CR-V!

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  Cant they get anything right? - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Howie - June 14 - 2:00 am

  After 4 years and 5 sets of rotors, 6 sets of pads, and valves, I am thrilled to be giving this back to the bank. The sales pitch was "the car you knew america could build" well, Im back to buying Toyotas or Hondas (built in america to higher non union standards).

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  Maintenance nightmare - 1997 Chevrolet S-10
  By jrhickey - June 11 - 2:00 am

  I have put 2 alternators, 3 batteries, a power brake booster, an air conditioner compresser/dryer, a wiper motor, a signal flasher, a water pump, a thermostat, a passenger side mirror, and a rearview mirror. Not to mention the normal stuff like brakes, tires, alignment, filters, and fluids. I just turned 80,000 miles. That is only about 16,000 per year. NEVER EVER AGAIN will I buy an S-10 anything. JRH

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  Poor long term performance - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Roxbyrose - June 10 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy Blazer is a staple of the SUV industry whose body style has not changed for a number of years I have figured out why. Chevy does not want the consumer to know the number of old (7+ years) Blazers still remain on the road in running condition. I have had consistant problems with the A/C, radiator and oil system. The oil lines leak requiring replacement every 2 years ($1200 expense). The engine light comes on like a movie theater marque. My average oil change costs at least $150. If someone must have a Blazer, my suggestion is to LEASE it. Do not buy this vehicle. In the long run, the cost to own it out weighs the value of the vehicle.

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  CHECK ENGINE-HAS THE SHAKES-ONSTAR OUT TWICE-STARTING ISSUES-AIRLEAKS IN WINDOWS-YOU NAME IT.... - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By twh_lover - June 9 - 11:57 pm

  Leased 14 Chevy 1500 LTZ w/intent 2 purchase. It shakes/vibrates in floor/seats/pedals/wheel between 45mph & 80mph+.The shaking is bad enough that u SEE the seats shake & it may get bad enough@times that it makes it difficult 2 read the mileage#s on the dash.Been to 2 chevy dealers & 1 GM dealer too many times to count.Filed case w/GM approx.1mo.ago.Dealer states all is perfect but cant fix the vibr & waiting 2 hear what GM will do.Not much faith w/service so far.Loaner trk was 14 Chev-same truck w/30 mi.It shakes worse than mine!Check engine light comes on multiple xs daily & code reads-a manifold pressure issue.Have yet 2 address this new issue.Im tired/angry&no resolution in the year.

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  GM employees dont care about quality. - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Adam123 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  From the designers and engineers to the management, sales and marketing people, and the people building the Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade, Yukon and Denali, its clear that GM is "Like a Crock." These reviews are limited to 700 words, so I cant explain all the faults. Suffice it to say, Ive had enough trouble to invoke the lemon law only to find my truck was "average."