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:

• 

  Like a lemon - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By dean - May 5 - 6:10 am

  Owned the car for 8 years and had nothing but trouble from the start, replaced everything in car but the engine. it was in a shop for repairs every month and I went through 2 alternaters and 2 transmissions and the engine leaks coolent to list a couple things. The interior is very plain and it has poor gas mileage compaired to other cars I own. I have always taken care of the car and did everything the mechanics recemended so I thought I would have a car that would last a while. the only good thing about this car is that it is cheap and doesnt rust. The AC was the first thing to go in it but I noticed that happens a lot in other GM cars also. I would strongly recomend not buying this car.

• 

  They dont make them like they use to! - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By BigRed1 - May 2 - 9:00 pm

  I have a 99 Tahoe Z71 powered by a LT1/340hp V8 (Yes, its original). Rear axle seals have always been a problem. Finally had to replace the axles. Brakes a huge problem finally replaced with "greenstuff brakes", the jury is still out on that verdict. Transmission and engine still real strong after 121k miles. Its all the small stuff power steering pump, alternator, fuel pump. However, try to tow 8000 pounds with your Toyota over the PA mountains! Gas mileage is 14/17. I can only use super unleaded fuel. I had to replace the entire exhaust system because both cats went out at 90k miles. Absolutely crazy cats usually outlast the vehicle.

• 

  Unsatisfied-2nd Suburban - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By jstetzer - May 2 - 7:18 pm

  Multiple costly repairs between 37,000 and 42,000 miles on items I never expected to be problems -fuel sending unit ($800.00), a seatbelt ($200.00), 4WD switch ($200.00), window motor ($200.00). Yes I contacted GM, was patronized and then told they would not cover any of the repairs-the truck was out of warranty by mileage, but only 2.5 years old. It is my 2nd Suburban in 5 years. I guess the first one wasnt "just a lemon".

• 

  Just middle of the road - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By slimjim - April 29 - 8:59 pm

  I have had my Malibu for 3 years now and I can tell you it is good all around transportation. It is just about the right size. Has all the right options. I have the LS so it has most of the toys I like having. One complaint I do have with the car is I had to replace the brakes and rotors with only 34000 miles and I blame that one on GM. So, knocking on wood, I can say this has been a rather trouble free car so far. I hope it stays that way.

• 

  Another mediocre GM car. - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Peter - April 29 - 3:34 pm

  Ive done all the preventative maintenance to date on my Cavalier. The brakes chatter most, but not all the time. Often cannot get out of 1st or 2nd gear without pumping the clutch. Dealer tried fixing that by overfilling transaxle a dumb idea. Electric windows are unreliable: sometimes they roll up, sometimes they dont. Power steering groans. Seats offer poor back support and have only two controls. No inside trunk release. Intermittent wipers often dont work. No outside air shut-off. No separate vent shut-offs. Cheap carpet. Engine stumbles, especially when cold, but good power. No passenger window or door controls on driver side. Dash warped squeaks. Cigarette lighter fell off into unreachable area of dash interior. Minimal instrument panel.

• 

  Piece of Junk - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Tim Kennedy - April 27 - 9:24 pm

  I am really getting tired of problems every time I turn around. Now the power steering pump is whining at only 65,000 miles. Also the drivers window is getting stuck periodically. Just about 2 weeks ago had to put it in the shop again. Would not start at times and the security light would come on. Ended up being the BCM (body control module). An electronic part that controls everything inside of the car electrical. Maybe these things are normal to start happening now. I dont know. I am sure getting tired of something going wrong every time I turn around. Just had the ignition switch replaced at 55,000 miles. Rotors replaced twice.

• 

  Sporty truck, but needs major improving! - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Eric - April 24 - 9:28 pm

  Ive always been a GM person all the way, but after seven months of ownership with this truck, Im going to reconsider that in the future. I am shocked at Chevrolets cheap interior and poor build quality on this truck. First, there is no padding on the door or center console armrests, and this is very uncomfortable while driving. Next, I cant understand for the life of me why the did not install a keyhole on the passengers side door, especially since there is no power locks or remote keyless entry. The truck rides and drives good, but when you hit a bump it really jars the interior of the truck. If I had it to do over, I would have definitely looked around at other trucks...

• 

  Love/Hate Relationship - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By CButte - April 22 - 1:12 am

  I dont know where to begin. Our Blazer has taken us deep into the back woods on 4WD trails, to the top of many 14,000 mountain peaks, and has always managed to get us home. With that said, it has also been the most unreliable, frustrating vehicle weve owned. Purchased used w/50k 4 years ago, it has required the following in the last 40k miles: Transmission, lwr ball joints, axle shaft, several seals, intake manifold gasket, pwr window motor, 4WD actuator, O2 sensor, rotors, etc. It has also suffered from the following common Blazer issues: Dexcool sludge requiring multiple flushes so the heater would work, multi-function switch gremlins, ghost- wipers & leaking oil filter lines.

• 

  Not worth the $$$ - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By KO - April 21 - 10:16 pm

  I bought this Blazer with about 20K miles on it. Within 4 months, things started failing. The washer pump is out and has a leak. The transmission is slipping and the motor is very weak with a lot of dead spots in the acceleration. This will be the last Chevy for me. The quality has dropped dramatically in the last few years.

• 

  OK replacement for Accord - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By wildbill - April 20 - 5:27 pm

  I replaced my beloved 91 Honda Accord EX with the Malibu LS, with fear and trepidation. So far so good! Got a killer deal, too. Handles great, comfortable, and gas mileage of 26/32 like my Accord, after 25K miles. No service needed other than routine. It aint a Honda, but itll do for commuting in safety and comfort.