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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  Ive been left stranded more than once.. - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Lynette - September 28 - 2:44 am

  This truck has left me stranded on more than one occassion. Have had problems with the alternator, ingnition coil springs and fuel pump. Rides very rough. Is not roomy...back seat is almost impossible to get into unless youre 52 and weigh 100 pounds. Squeaks and rattles and idles rough. Cant wait to trade this one in.

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  Great Deal - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By Dan - September 27 - 11:52 pm

  Purchased this vehicle in March of 2005 as new with full warrenty. Dealer sold for $14,000 with sticker of $23,000. Unfortunately we had to accept it with only the std options that it came with. After 10,000 miles no problems. Cant wait to try out the 4x4 in Michigan winters.

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  Junk1 - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Eric Herbst - September 27 - 10:12 pm

  Plan on replacing brakes and rotors every 22-24000 miles. Roughly $90, if you do it yourself. Lower intake manifold gasket went at 44,000 miles. I have found this is quite common, and look forward to replacing it at least once more before I can get rid of the car. If you are not a mechanic or know a good friend as one, expect to pay between $700-$1100. This will occur roughly every 40-50,000 miles. If you do not catch it in time, your engine will cease to run. Rear window motor is failing. It will roll down, but fails to travel back up. If you are considering purchasing a 97-2003 Malibu, I highly recommend against it. Perhaps you should buy a Ford Edsel instead.

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  2005 Chevy Aveo LS Hatch - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Steve - September 27 - 5:37 pm

  Small size, price, and fuel economy were driving factors as a replacement commuter pod with versatile storage. The 5-speed transmission has a little slack in shifting. The engine delivers 70-mph at 3000rpm in 5th gear. Mileage did not clear 31MPG after 5K miles. The passenger compartment is roomy and the console intuitive. The radio/CD runs surprisingly hot - I wouldnt leave a CD in for more than 90 minutes. The hatch area (manual independent lock) is not deep but can accomodate storage in laundry basket modules. The rear seat fold-down space works easily but the seats do not recess and they cause a 6" step up for the storage floor. Nice profile.

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  Great truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By carla cox - September 27 - 1:22 pm

  I like it that its big enough to haul something, yet small. I owned an S-10, and this is by far more comfortable and more room. It looks great and sporty if I say so myself. People stop me at red lights and comment on the color "Sunburst ORANGE", even the older people. I love this truck.

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  Blazers are the WORST - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Nocturnal - September 26 - 11:12 pm

  I own a 1998 Chevy Blazer ZR2 and is is by far the worstvehicle I have ever owned. I have no idea what the engineers where smoking when they let this one go, but I have owned it since October 2002 and it is now September 2005 and where do I start??? The cheap plastic interior is the loudest annoying thing ever. Seriously, the wind blows and it rattles. I dont even want to explain when going over gravel roads or railroad tracks!!! The next is the front ball joints are notorious for premature failure. Also, wheel bearings! I have replaced front ones 3 different times. I dont do much offroading besides ice fishing, so why so weak under "normal" conditions? I am a graduate of an Automotive Engineering program and a 3 yr. SAE member take it from me, you dont want a Blazer.

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  Big Bertha - 1990 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Boat Puller - September 26 - 7:57 pm

  Purchased "Bertha" as a lake truck/tow vehicle and she became my everyday driver. Only minor wear and tear items replaced starter, battery, muffler. Bought in 03 with 82k miles.

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  My last V8 - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Kurt - September 26 - 7:02 pm

  I purchased this car from the dealer using my mother-in-laws employee discount. I ordered it in September, 1999 and it was delivered on Jan 1, 2000. The brakes warped right away and Chevy resurfaced them no charge - more than once. Several months ago I decided to keep the car and installed Baer Eradispeed disks front and rear with Hawk pads and a new set of Goodyear F1 GS D3s and the car is now perfected. It goes like stink and stops exceedingly well. Now that gas is $3/Ga I think this will be my last V8, but it has been fun. Used ones are cheap now and mine has been bulletproof. I would recommend one to anyone who wants something like this.

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  Great Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By walter stanley - September 26 - 6:49 pm

  This vehicle has provided great reliability (oil changes and 1 set of brake pads @50000 miles), exceptional gas mileage(when I drive consertively I get 32/35 MPG), lots of room, good comfort, performance when required, acceptable styling and a good price. Im totally satisfied with the car and intend to buy another one in 2006. I think this car is the best value vehicle that GM or anyone else makes for this size car.

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  Another good Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By CLifton - September 26 - 6:30 pm

  I purchased the SUV a little over a year ago and I have been completely happy. It rides well, has plenty of interior room, and horsepower to boot. We have used it mainly for trips considering that I live less than 2 miles from work. An enjoyable SUV, just what I expect from Chevy.