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:

• 

  Accident Review - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Cav Owner - July 29 - 6:50 am

  I enjoyed my Cavalier very much when I first bought it, just as any new car owner enjoys their car. It was smooth sailing until I got into an accident where I was T-Boned by a Corolla (a car not much bigger than the Cav). After that, things just went downhill. First of all, it crumbled like a sheet of paper in the accident while the Corolla had only a few scratches on its bumper. Shortly after, my A/C went out, and now it rattles at low speeds. Its a good car until you get some mileage on it.

• 

  rally sport - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By lore - July 28 - 8:34 pm

  car has never given us any problems and for the price its a decent car but lacks power for a so called rally influenced car

• 

  Needs improvement - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By cheri - July 26 - 2:04 pm

  I replaced rotors at 60,000 miles, along with the steering couplerer, and new tires. This car is a nice size, and has great speed, but Chevy needs to try to improve their cars more if they want people to continue buying them compared to others.

• 

  Big Family Hauler - 1999 Chevrolet Express
  By dennis - July 25 - 9:23 pm

  We bought this rascal in lieu of a Suburban and in favor of Fords one tonner. It has served us well, although the interior finish is better suited for a cheap doll house. Roadability is excellent. I am over 63" and not skinny and I can drive for hours in this vehicle without the usual leg cramps, etc. If you are tall and heavy, you understand. As I said, the interior lacks in quality, the carpet wore through 2 years ago, the reclining passenger seat now is a rocking chair, the door panels are impossible to keep attached with use. The engine is flawless as long as it is serviced regularly, it will let you know if you forget. The transmission is still under scrutiny.

• 

  Bad fuel economy 2004 Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jennifer - July 25 - 3:03 pm

  This is my third Tahoe. In the past, Ive gotten about 20 mpg on my daily commute, and have been very satisfied with the performance. This new Tahoe gets 12-14 mpg! Very disappointed. Dealership has checked vehicle, nothing they can do. Fuel economy will be the top priority in my next vehicle purchase, the Tahoe wont make the cut. Cant even trade at this point because of the flood of rebates and "employee pricing" out there - Ive had it for 7 months and owe $12K more than someone can buy a NEW one for! Makes it impossible to get rid of!!

• 

  So many problems - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Red - July 22 - 7:33 pm

  My Trailblazer is probably the best driving car/truck I ever owned, but what a lemon. It has been back to the dealer six times. A/C went bad. Anti Lock braking went bad, Has a new gas tank because they couldnt get the check engine light. Recall on the rear lamps. Returned again for check engine light, this time they replaced a "computer chip". Just had the fan clutch replaced at a price of $590. It currently has 46,000 miles on it.

• 

  things wrong - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By bummer - July 19 - 1:48 pm

  within the first month the heater motor went out, then would not heat, back in the shop again. then 2 months straight of taking it back in to have the tires balanced. first 4 months i owned this car, it was in the shop once a month. now it is back in again to have a marker light replaced when a clip broke (car not being hit or anything.) also to have the back seat fixed. it was put down and up, when it was put back down, it came out of alignment and would not latch on one side. new seat bracket having to be ordered.

• 

  Cant wait to get rid of it! - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Martin - July 19 - 12:53 pm

  Everyone I know that owns one of these hates them. Mine is constantly in the shop being repaired for one thing or another. The very first time I brought it in for service I had a two page typed list of problems. The most annoying problem is the rear doors. They do not open from the outside (not the child locks). The Chevy dealer keeps "adjusting" them and they work for a few weeks, then back to not working. The performance is awful. Mileage is horrible. The list goes on and on. Maybe I just got a bad one???

• 

  why me!! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By disgruntled - July 19 - 2:00 am

  brakes+ rotors that fail after 40000,turn signals that failed mysteriously but only worked at the dealership coolant that goes down continually but never leaks(head gasket gm?)alternator failed after 2 YEARS?!! (come on!!)rattles from who knows where or why and the ac(check the switch, its defective!!!)why such a vehicle is foisted on people who shell out hard earned money is beyond me...imports are looking better and better every day...a horse and buggy are more reliable

• 

  Pretty nice first car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Randy in Georgia - July 18 - 1:54 am

  This was my first car. I have put well over 20,000 miles on it and it is still ticking without any problems. Gas milage could be better and the dings I have received from cars bumping my doors are annoying. I certainly will upgrade for my next purchase and probably get a Toyota Prius, but this is an excellent starter car.