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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  They dont build em like they used to. - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By XSSV4S - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I like the truck and would be thrilled with it if the build quality and dealer/manufacturer support were improved. There is an irritating wind noise from rear side windows which GM refuses to fix. Power folding mirrors are cool, but get out of alignment frequently. Ride and handling are ok as long as you avoid rough pavement.

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  2001 Blazer - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By dave - September 24 - 9:02 am

  Bought the vehicle used, with low miles, and GM certified. Also purchased the extended warranty, and its a good thing. This vehicle has been in the shop more than any other vehicle Ive ever owned, with oil cooler lines twice, battery cables corroding prematurely, coolant leaks, and worst of all, lack of heat. No one has been able to fix the heat concern, even after seven tries, with the radiator, heater core, and main control head being relpaced, plus a flush. The vehicle is also the worst riding car Ive ever owned.Also rattles everywhere- Dont get me wrong- I am not bashing GM because Ive had other GM products that have been terrific and I definitely will own another- just not a Blazer

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  Needs many improvements - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By kneebs - September 23 - 8:20 am

  I have to put a lot of money in the car just go keep it in running condition. There always seems to be something wrong with it. I had to replace the transmission, the brakes a couple times, couple electrical problems. replace egr valve and fuel pump. I dont know whats gonna go wrong next.

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  Could/Should be better. - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By jzr1sy - September 21 - 12:30 pm

  Gas mileage leaves a lot to be desired maybe due to the rear end ratio of 3.73 I could only order higher not lower. I do not pull anything. 3.42 would have been better. Has an annoying shake when shifting from first to second.

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  Stick with a foreign car - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By therealcatman - September 20 - 4:10 am

  I bought the Cobalt expecting to get a good economy car at a good price. I got a nice looking fun to drive car that eats gas and doesnt always work right. I have had numerous problems, all fixed, not enough for lemon status yet. The car is nice to look at and has nice features. But 19 MPG in the city and 29 on the highway says something is wrong. I could understand if it was being hotrodded around town but my wife drives it like a granny. Called GMs Customer Dis-service people and they blame the dealership, who in turn blame Chevy. My suggestion, stick with a foreign car with a good track record.

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  Cavalier - 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Wilson - September 19 - 9:31 pm

  I love the fuel economy, but I hate the leaky trunk, and cracked heads which I checked, it is a common problem with these cars. Overall I have had it for about 2 and a half years, and it wasnt until recently that I have had any probems with it. It broke down 3 times in the course of a week which I didnt appreciate. Overall, I like the car, Im planning on buying a newer model possibly a 97 or 98 with the new body style.

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  Its a toss up - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
  By sissiegail - September 18 - 1:40 am

  I inherited this car from my mom after I wrecked mine. The compressor and condensor went out after only two years of ownership. Was told it would be cheaper to replace the car than fix it. The fuel guage stopped working after about two years. The ash tray broke off, two of the air vents are broken, both cup holders are broken, the passenger visor is broken and after more than an hour or two the seats become extremely uncomfortable. However, the car has almost 140,000 miles on it and no major mechanical work has had to be done. I would suggest that you weigh whats important to you in a car before you buy one of these.

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  Never Again. - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By am12 - September 10 - 4:34 am

  I would never buy a Monte Carlo again. I love my car but I have had it for almost 3 years and have had nothing but problems. I am having to get my roters changed CONSTANTLY. If not, and I am on interstate and slowing down to get on the off ramp, it shakes horribly. Anyone else? Then sometimes when I turn real sharp, it makes a screeching noise and sounds like my power steering is going to go out. Now recently, it has been leaking antifreeze and overheating. I talked to a dealer and he, himself even said they are nice cars, but have many mechanical problems.

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  Trailblazer LTZ - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By heather - September 6 - 1:48 am

  Gas mileage not very good, for the first few months got 9 mpg, now, in third year of ownership it is getting 13 mpg. Still has not reached the 15 city 20 highway that was on the window sticker! Lots of little things never did or do work right, even after telling the dealership. Example: the mirrors on the side of the vehicle take on a life of their own and move and readjust so that they are rarely in place when you need them. Other than that, the vehicle looks okay, but I would not buy it again.

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  Toys toy - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By toy - September 6 - 12:54 am

  Other than some minor repairs I have found it enjoyable to drive. Fuel economy doesnt exist in a vehicle this size. But it still lacks horsepower. I never liked that the truck is governed at 100 mph. But what the hey this isnt the autobaun. Truth be said this will be my last Chevy. There are better deals to be made.