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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  Trail Pull Up the Rear - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By dor - April 19 - 10:00 am

  The ride is smooth. However, I ve had many problems. The problems include: *skipping or hesitation upon acceleration *tail/brake lights unknowingly going out * A/C going out twice * A tick noise under the engine *The radio gets extremely hot, especially on long trips *Clicking on left turns, aloud thump during hard braking, and spilling from the gas tank after automatic shutoff.

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  Did not see it coming - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Winstonhates chevy - April 4 - 2:00 am

  It look good untill the inside nobs starting to fall off, I made a call to Maroone ( should be called moranees). They did a overall, I think they made it worst, I have spend more money on my new vehicle, while my 12 year old camry is still going. I found a rust spot in the back today, it is a 3 year old car. I am just waiting to drop out of the bottom.

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  Worst vehicle Ive ever owned... - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By MMarks - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I have very little to say except that my Blazer is awful. Its in the shop as much as its on the road. Rear end had to be replaced at 34,000 miles. I had to replace both front shocks at 30,000. Front seat broke at about 32,000 and while it was in the shop they went ahead a fixed a recall. I will never buy another GM vehicle after dealing with this LEMON.

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  Wish I had may Dodge Back - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jan coppock - March 2 - 1:56 pm

  Purchased this truck new, to get the fuel management system, in December 2007. In Jan. 2009 the check engine light came on. This continued with repeated trips to Dealer. Well, we have had to replace a map sensor, valve spring, 2 oxygen sensors (not under warranty), manifold and gasket,& wiring to cargo lamp. Thats not the end. We now have no dome light, there is a chattering noise by the dash board when you let off the gas and go from 55 down to 40-45 (very annoying). We traded a 2 year old Dodge P.U. (fully loaded) for a Chevy (with less on it) and all we got was approx. 3 miles more to the gallon on gas, and a truck with problems and not a comfortable to ride in. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!

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  Should have bought a Ford - 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By blue1966 - February 19 - 10:20 pm

  This is the first time i have ever disliked a Chevy. This truck has no pulling power it strains pulling a empty trailer. It has a hard time pulling a hill with no trailer. It only gets around 14mpg on the rd and about 11 in the city. It want even spin tires on dirt. there is slack in the driveline that you can hear and feel. I bought this truck brand new i was told the mileage and the power would get better, well it has 26k on it and nothing has changed. The next truck i get will def be a Ford. I have never owned or wanted one until now.

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  Fixer Up - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By PaulL - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle in December 2002. I have 8000 miles on it. It is April now. I have had it in the shop 3 times. Once for an emission control and twice for the A/C. Decent gas mileage but thats all I can say. Over all Im not impressed.

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  OK, but not Recommended - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By AnneTexas - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I have had the same repetitive problems with my Malibu. From automatic windows breaking twice to the air conditioner going out 3 times. Most recently the Alternator went out with no battery warning whatsoever. For having the car less than 3 years (bought new), its been in the shop probably 10 times. Though nothing extremely major has broken, I do not recommend this car.

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  I WILL NEVER BUY A GM AGIAN!!! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Very Disapointed - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car with 5k on it. Had problems with starting. Had to take to dealer 3 times. Replaced breaks at 20k rotors and pads. At 40k Transmition started shifting really hard. Engine light keeps comming on. I have done my best to take care of this car. I though maybe I was the only one having problems untill I found this web site. Used to be a GM guy Now I switched to Ford. Traded in the Chevy and got a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. Hope this will be a better car. I will never buy GM agian.

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  what a joke..... - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Nismo 400R - January 21 - 10:00 am

  this is the most pathetic car i have ever driven in my life. problems.... Well where should i start. ABS system dos not work. brakes are soft. Engine gauges continuosly on. traction control sys. does not work. window on pass side does not work. car leaks on pass side (not from window.) From firewall or some where in there. carpet is soaked and probably is rusted out in floor board. if you buy a monte carlo i give you great sympathy. i hate this car and will never buy one again. maybe it is defective but i hate this car. if you are over 6ft tall like me you are screwed. this car has the quality of a honda civic

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  Sucks - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Waterboy - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Its been in the shop twice. For faulty springs. And loud A/C compressor.