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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  Perfect car for couple or 3 people - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ruth wilhite - February 5 - 4:16 pm

  Most of the car is fine. Generally pleased with the car. It rides good. Holds the road well. Carpet/ seat coverings look cheap but wearing o.k. Had to replace the back seat hinge where it folds to be flat. Routine wiper/ hubcap/heat/air/cond/.. All done with a smile at routine check ups. Recommend this car for a good cheap ride. All of grandkids love it...

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  Average truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By golden - February 3 - 10:36 pm

  This is a pretty average truck. It doesnt really excel in any area. I went on a trip to Wisconsin and was driving thru the mountains and the little 4 cylinder engine could not take it. Its comfortable inside but not great. Long trips are tiring. The manual is pretty good but needs a broader range of shifting. And what is up with no key holes on the passenger door?!!!

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  Bland/Average Van - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By Kevin - February 2 - 3:05 pm

  Average van, bland styling, brakes are weak,no storage pockets on the back of the front capt seats,only one power sliding door,noisy cabin,no cassette player, not enough cup holders for middle row,DVD hard to reach/see when cup holders are being used,rear wiper streaks/doesnt work in cold weather. I thought I would get better gas milliage with such a small V6 engine. All in all this van is O.K, not bad, not impressive, just average.If you dont want to spend a lot of money on an import, this van would be a good deal.

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  tough but not impressive - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By spat - February 1 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my truck 2 1/2 years ago and have been reasonably impressed. Not great accleration or mind blowing power, but a good solid pull. I work it hard everyday and so far it has stood the test of time. Had a few minor problems but overall a good truck

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  Could be better - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By ColoradoOwner - January 30 - 12:19 am

  Not quite the performance and reliability I was hoping for out of my truck. Ive been to the dealer several times since buying it to reset the check engine light codes, and have a creaky suspension.

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  An Average Car for average people - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Julia - January 28 - 5:27 pm

  Thank God for the extended warranty. I have owned this car for 3 years, and in that time, its felt like packing marbles in a corner trying to keep this car from falling apart. I had to get the door welded on after the hinge failed, completely replaced the started, heater blowers, and control switch, rusted out far sooner than expected. The window/power locks panel is still hanging on by its wires, and the dealer cant really do much about it (been in to be fixed twice). The turn signal indicators stopped working. Im very surprised at how much its value has dropped since buying it. Why spend 23K on a car that wont last half as long as an accord or civic for the same price...

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  Cursed - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By StopDropRoll - January 27 - 4:06 pm

  I bought mine with 30,000 miles. Initially, it performed well. At 56,000 miles altinator, starter replaced, heater quit. Heater, despite repeated repair remains unreliable. Many problems detected related to the coolant GM used. Most of the interior plastic moldings have worked themselves loose. Both front doors sagged and had to have pins replaced. Car jack rattles in storage. Brake rotors warped, were difficult and expensive to replace. Substantial play has developed in the steering. The engine is strong, but not efficent. Averages 16 mpg. Mass flow sensor replaced at 90,000 miles. Catalytic converter replaced at 96,000 miles. Lifters had to be replaced at 112,000 miles.

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  so-so - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By db - January 27 - 12:06 pm

  Have owned my 2wd Blazer almost 5yrs. Will probably not own another. Love the performance and comfort. Gas mileage has slipped (22 17mpg). Had to have oil lines fixed, lost handle to pass.seat first wk I owned it. Hate the placement of the roof pillers. Drivers door hinge always loose. I take immaculate care of this car. Always drove GM cars. Will not buy this one again. GM can do better.

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  Uncomfortable ride - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dave - January 23 - 3:36 pm

  I purchased my Colorado as a replacement for my S10. As a long time Chevrolet customer I was very disappointed in the ride. My standard cab seat is very uncomfortable to the point I have been trying to trade or get rid of it already. My backs taking a beating. Other than poor ride it seems to handle good and has been dependable. I sought help from the dealer and from Chevrolet without relief. Factory said too bad thats the way its made and there is no defect. Looking for something else

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  S-10 - 2000 Chevrolet S-10
  By jacgeo5153 - January 21 - 6:18 pm

  Replaced tie-rod, upper & lower ball joints (had no grease fittings), rusted fuel line (garage kept), all before the truck had 50,000 miles. Its a shame you have to payout over $2,000 for these types of repairs and youre still making payments! Ive heard other similar problems with these types of GM vehicles from friends and neighbors and I got about the same (thats typical) response from most of them. Absolutely terrible gas mileage for a small truck. Just terrible! Extremely rough riding vehicle. (Teddy Roosevelt would have liked it). I dont care to drive it and I cant wait to get a new one.