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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  Will never purchase GM again! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MrAce - August 21 - 2:00 am

  We fell into the purchase of this Trailblazer. Previously owned a Pontiac Montana EXT which turned out to be the worst vehicle ever. Tried to trade in for a foreign vehicle and could not get rid of it. Went to Chevy, and of course, they allowed us to trade for the Trailblazer. I loved the vehicle at first, exactly one year after puchase the transmission broke. Fortuneately, we have had not other tranny problems (knock on wood). The wind noise is pronounced, the luggage rack squeaks when outside temperature is cold, and had to replace rear brake light. Gas mileage is horrible for an in-line six. Bottom line, I will never buy another GM vehicle EVER!

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  Crappy Brakes - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By willeaton - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Coming up on 40k miles and have had to had the rotors and brake pads replaced 5 times! Dealer gave me the same bs re: design flaw the first time...3 brake jobs later they still pulsate. Ive submitted my complaint to the lemon law lawyers to review. I want my money back. A/C seems about ready to die (flickering on and off occassionally) and my power steering fluid is now all over my driveway. Luckily my dealership is not charging me to fix the pulsating brakes....rotors have 14k mile warranty above and beyond the new car warranty. Brakes also seem to slip in wet weather. I dont feel too safe driving in rain with this car.

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  Most Recent Small Car - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Deborah Parish - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I have not had a small car in well over 15 years, so, this review is based on seeing others with them and now having one of my own. In short, it is a fun car to drive, suprisingly "peppy" and comfortable. It also has a very nice trunk space and this is enhanced by the folding back seats for more trunk space. Gas mileage is great, especially when your used to a full size truck for transportation.

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  Lots of minor repairs needed - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By adeladime - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive been fairly happy with my Blazer that I bought used two and a half years ago until this year (Im approaching 100,000 miles). Its the perfect size for my needs and does really well in snow and ice. This year, however, Ive needed many minor repairs that have started to add up including the water pump, gas lines and alternator. The fuel pump went out the day after I bought it, so that was under the 1 year warranty I bought, luckily. Now Im thinking I want to sell it before anything major happens while its still worth something.

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  THIS IS A NICE SUV BUT..... - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By OUTCOLD - August 5 - 2:00 am

  This suv is nice I jus bought it in July but unfortunately because of a poor customer service event in buying the suv I am trading it in for a Chrysler Pacifica. This gas mileage sucks worst than expected. The dealership experience was the worst I have ever encountered. They wouldnt give me a full tank of gas when I bought the darn thing! Its a 40,000 dollar vehicle and I cant even get a gas card.

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  Wish Ford made Something this Cool - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Wish it was a FORD - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my blazer about 5 months, and purchased it with 38000 miles on it. I had it less than 2 hours when a friend broke the seat recliner off when trying to get to the back seat. I love the ZR2 even though the ride is that of a F- 350. rough, and loud. when it comes to actual function im not as enthusiastic. The HEAVY spare tire mount has no re- enforcement so the second you dont latch it all the way and the wind blows...... 2 HUGE dents. The plastic on the seat is something you constanly bump entering and exiting the vehical... Mine is broken.... Overall, i wish ford made something that looked as cool in a small SUV.

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  GREAT RIDE-MANY PROBLEMS - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ERNIEOSD - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE (HAD) THE EXT MODEL AND AS FAR AS A RIDE IT RODE AS WELL AS MY LEXUS. BUT, THAT IS WHERE THE COMPARISON ENDED. MULTIPLE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE AND POWER TRAIN WERE OVERWHELMING.... THAT IS WHY I NO LONGER OWN THE CAR. DEALER WAS EXCEPTIONAL IN HANDLING MY COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IN FAIRNESS, I DONT KNOW OF ANYONE WHO HAS BOUGHT THE REGULAR LENGTH MODEL THAT HAS HAD ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR THE EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE ABOVE 40 MILES AN HOUR.

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  Going broke - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Going broke - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Nice looking, comfortable and quite with plenty of power. I now have 3300 mi. and still waiting for the engine to break in so the fuel mileage improves, according to dealer. I get about 13 mpg in city. With such a small gas tank, Im on first name basis with all the people at the gas stations. The Tblazer also has sensitive steering, scarey at times. Also lots of defects in the sheet medal.

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  accident - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By amviolinst07 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Driving on a simi busy street would be nothing with this vechile right? Well I got into an accident with this vehicle.. with a saturn car.. my car was totalled and the saturn only had a small dent in the side! I was turning at a light and the saturn ran the red light which then hit me.. i was on my way to pick up my baby thank god he wasnt in there with me!!

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  CHEVY LEMON - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By SOTT SIMPSON - July 31 - 2:00 am

  BEEN IN THE SHOP 20 TIMES IN 3 YEARS, MOST RECENTLY TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP @ 54000. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT.