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:

• 

  Be careful with this car! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Barry - March 12 - 4:20 am

  I bought this car after test driving and reading online the glowing reports of this vehicle. Never in over my 36 years of driving have I been so disappointed in a car. I have had it to the shop for: Key stuck in the ignition, seat heaters not working, starter not functioning ( at least 6 times) Brakes making noises ( at least 12 times) re-progamming the CD player, transmission....need I go on. I write this as my car is now in the shop for the 3rd time in 3 weeks! Stay away from this car..very disappointed

• 

  Dont buy the 6 speed transmission! - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By el_hoppy - March 12 - 2:00 am

  At less then 100 miles on a new 2011 the transmission developed a noise and it jolts during low speed shifts. taken back to the twice and service manager says nothing can be done to fix it. $36K plus tax, owned for less than 2 months, and only 1K miles on it and I hate driving my new truck.

• 

  Laundy list - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By mali"blue" - March 11 - 12:30 am

  No probs except a loose nut in the drivers side door (warranty). As soon as I hit 37,000 miles, the O2 sensor went out ($250). Since then Ive gone through 3 gas caps. The rotors and brakes were replaced at 40K, followed soon by the tires. Check engine light became a daily feature. In 2003, manifold and intake gasket went bad along with ignition coils - that was a grand. Right wheel hub bearing and A/C problem resulted in $700 bill in early 2004. Temp control switch then stopped working on 1&2. Diagnosed with weak air flow sensor. Coolant began leaking again. Alternator died ($295 with tow). Radiator hoses and coolant ($75) replaced after leak progressed. Cannot wait to trade in.

• 

  Disgusted - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Lisa Wilson - March 9 - 10:02 am

  Drove a 93 Suburban for 7 years and loved it! The Tahoe is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I believe the reviews depend on what the person drove before owning the 03 Tahoe. I only drive 20 mile to work and hate the drive everyday. It handles so squirrelly I have trouble keping it between the lines, like following a semi too close. Tires replace with Michelins trying to control this vehicle. The Michelins improved handling on rual roads but did not on the interstate. Intermediate shaft replaced at 16748 miles, crossmember replace at 35558 miles. Vibration at takeoff. Transmission slips. No ashtray in back. Cant get rid of it because its valued less than the payoff.

• 

  malibusucks - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jlk - March 7 - 10:00 am

  This car amkes the noises and creaks that you would expect from a 10 year old vehicle. The brakes go quite often. Funny noises come from behind the dashboard and the heater and air conditioner lasted a total of 5 months on anything lower than three. It does not handle well on turns and the power steering goes quite easily. I would not suggest that you buy this car. The looks and name cover up the cheapness of this car.

• 

  I expected more - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By Chris - March 6 - 10:57 pm

  This is my fourth Chevy. I have had two major repairs on this van, both on family trips out of state. Around 20K I had the transmission rebuilt. At 56K I had the alternator replaced twice. Imagine driving across SC and GA on a 90+ degree day with a failing alternator and no a/c. I have had countless problems with cruise control, power locks, windows, mirrors etc. This is with only 62k mileage. This will be my last Chevy until their relability is improved.

• 

  Ticked at Chevrolet - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Ticked at Chevrolet - March 6 - 3:53 pm

  I have always preferred Chevrolet over Ford products. Mostly I am more satisfied with the workmanship and performance of the vehicles. The Uplander LS may change my mind. I was told on 3/6/06 that the rearend of the vehicle is designed so that if you do not rotate the tires every 6000 miles it will cause the inside edge of the tires to wear faster and feather (have high and low spots.) The owners manual recommends for the tires to be rotated every 8000 miles.

• 

  horrible - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By daviddandersonsr - March 4 - 10:00 am

  this vehicle leaks loads of dust into the cab and bed, the torque is too low for large loads, the storage boxes on the outside of the bed are useless(leak dust and water), back seat room is very limited for an adult on an extended road trip, dvd player doesnt rotate to side views(you have to sit in the middle of the rear seat), rear radio controls are confusing to use, exterior plastic trim is poorly attached to the body and makes a lot of noise at road speed because it buffets in the wind, seats are hard and impossible to adjust to a comfortable position, you cannot load a 4-wheeler in the bed.

• 

  Worn out large car - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By vonyesh - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Driver seat in the 6 Passenger seating was worn out by 50k miles. Car has no get up and go when cruising. Boring dash. Good sightlines. Big size with great gas mileage. Large trunk. Turn signals do not work all of the time.

• 

  Works for me - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By TOMKAT - March 2 - 8:15 pm

  Bought the car because it was cheap and clean. It had 83000 mi on it when we got it, now has 118000. It has had a few problems but nothing I would not have expected from a car of that milage. Key switch replaced, air cond. compressor, rear wiper motor and upper/lower ball joints.