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:

• 

  I got the bad apple in the barrel - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jayme Polis - June 28 - 3:48 am

  The first fifteen days I had my malibu, it was great, then while driving down the freeway it died! Within the first year I owned it which was 2004, I had the fuel pump injection system replaced, brake booster replaced, A/C unit replaced. Somehow the battery cracked (I was not in an accident!)and leaked all among other little things.

• 

  Major Headache - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Diehardchevyman - June 26 - 10:17 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used in 2002. The day after I bought it the headlight burned out and melted the socket for the bulb. A week later it melted the rear brake light circuit board. Not too much long after that, we had problems with the engine, it ate two batteries in a week, and now it still has a knock in the engine. The rear liftgate handle has broken on the inside, the driver side interior door panel is falling off, the plastic moldings around the handles are falling off, and the weather stripping is falling off. Needless to say this will bemy last Chevy purchase. Do not buy this model year Trailblazer. Its not worth the headache.

• 

  Chevys ABS brakes stink! - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Nicky - June 25 - 11:58 am

  My 99 Blazer LS has only 79k miles and my ABS brakes are completeley shot. Most of the time I cannot come to a stop. I need a new ABS system, new shocks & struts, new CB joint, and new Wheel bearings and the transmission is starting to slip. I hate this car! My Mom had a "94 with the exact same problems when it was only 2yrs old. I would never buy a Chevrolet again.

• 

  New trucks should not see the shop - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By webdal molloy - June 24 - 8:33 pm

  The truck is a 2004 and has been in the shop 3 times for leaning, one time for burned out 2nd and 3rd clutch in transmission and the speed meter locking up. The outside trim is boring and the front right tire going square. The service dept. told me about the tire going square was from not rotating the tires, but I rotated my tires every 3-4 thousand miles and have the paperwork to prove it. This truck only has 20,000 miles and has all these problems. What happened to "like a rock"? This logo needs to be changed. I also talked to alot of Chevy owners who where having the same problem with the transmissions.

• 

  2018 Transmission failed after 3 months - 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Melissa - June 20 - 1:26 am

  I have had my 2018 equinox for 3 months, and I loved it until 2 days ago when the transmission failed. The part is back-ordered, so obviously this is happening to other people. The dealership says it could be 2 days or 2 weeks.... and they dont have a loaner car. Im pissed.

• 

  Reliable Runabout - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By CJ - June 17 - 9:49 pm

  Bought this car with an extended warranty, shortly thereafter the water pump went. I had regrets buying it, thinking the reliability would be bad. Very few problems since then. The O2 sensor went ($20 to replace). A/C needed a leak fixed, and a small oil leak fixed, all cheap fixes. Few problems for an 8 year old car. Ride and interior leave much to be desired. Lots of squeaks, and very soft ride. Cheap looking inside, and some fragile plastic pieces. Power was fine with the manual tranny. Engine note was quiet, albeit a souless "whir." Gas mileage was very good (33).

• 

  TOO MUCH FUEL - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By STROKER - June 15 - 10:00 am

  LOVE THE TRUCK HATE THE FUEL ECONOMY.IM AVERAGING 10 MPG. THE WORST FUEL CONSUMING TRUCK IVE EVER OWNED

• 

  My Chevy Blazer - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Kathaleen - June 14 - 10:17 pm

  I had problems within one year of ownership - ball joints had to be replaced - it failed inspection. Then I have had endless problems with the four wheel drive - somedays it works only in four low. Now, I am told that the axle is going. The windows also leak in the front. I will only say that my Blazer is a lemon.

• 

  Cheap interior surfaces again - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By 71novaguy - June 14 - 10:12 pm

  I bought this 07 Silverado during the summer of 2007. Truck looked great with the z71, chrome, and desert brown metallic paint. Truck has proven reliable. No issues with the power train. The seats are comfy, and we use it for long trips and moving with my job. But, its not without issues. Had a water leak. Turned out to be the 3rd brake light. Stained the headliner and had to fight GM to fix. Has had a blown rear shock, annoying underhood vibration, and check engine light due to a crankshaft sensor connector loose (GM fixed all issues). Now the dash has cracked at 87,500 miles. GM knows its an issue (check youtube), but will not fix. Almost every dash cracks around the passenger airbag.

• 

  Extras - 2005 Chevrolet Venture
  By Patricia Cambeis - June 14 - 10:25 am

  The power windows break constantly and the A/C is very poor in this van. The compressor had to be replaced at 36,000 miles and was not covered under the extended warranty.