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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  Malibu quality problems - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Rich Gamen - June 7 - 2:00 am

  The first three years we owned our Malibu the quality was good. Now the car is 3 years old and we have nothing but problems. Front brake calipers are creeking and need replacement, A/C fan speed 1 and 2 no longer work. Rattles in dash have started. Piston slap on start up is very bad. It may be time to get rid of this car.

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  honey the tahoe is making a funny noise - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By dont do it - June 7 - 2:00 am

  Got this angel from hell with 48000 on it. Looked great ran great. Since then have done front brakes three times in 40000 miles, manifold gasket, then the kicker it dropped a rod at 72000. BLOWN ENGINE. Cost of ownership has been more than any vehicle I have owned over 30 years. Would not buy another but the way the resale is dropping on this puppy may not be able to unload it. GM was sorry but of no help with the engine problem even with recorded oil changes and maintenence I will not buy one of these again period.

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  so-so - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By scottbelanger - June 7 - 2:00 am

  This vhicle had major electrical problems in the first six months it was in six times and about nine times to date. Fuel economy is not that great. I have one positive, It is very comfortable to drive. I wont buy another one.

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  Car Awful - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By PStark - June 5 - 10:00 am

  We loved the car when we bought it. It had just 11,000 miles. We have had nothing but problems with it. Fist the check engine light comes on and nothing works. Turned it off and back on and everything was ok. Next the heater and air would work sometimes and the not. Thant quit. We sprung 2 leaks in the Power Steering line, and the transmission will stall and then lunge forward. Contacted Chevrolet and that was the biggest joke. Recall on 2006 and 2007 Monte Carlos for the Power Steering leakage, but not 2007. Technical Service Bulletin on the Transmission, which could cause a serious accident, but nothing on the 2007. Dealer said it was a crimped line. Get real.

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  Moneyblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By OGER1 - June 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had numerous warranty issues. I am on my third radio because the buttons are painted on with black paint. Very cheap looking interior. Would not recommend buying. Too much money for poor quality.

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  Honda/Toyota may be worth it - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By Fat Gary - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Be wary of this car. Warrant work will regularly take place and yes, a couple weeks out of warranty soemthing that would never break on a Honda or Toyota will break or require service. Depreciates like a rock. Nice car in form but not in function due to quality issues. Most Impalas (and GMs) have awful Brakes. Problems to expect: Steering, Alignment, Tie Rods, Brakes, AC, Electrical, Computer, Transmission, etc...... I had an Accord before this and it was problem free (only oil changes) for the nearly 50K Miles I had it. I will get a Honda/Toyota and never look back.

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  Disappointed - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Walkin Stick - May 31 - 2:00 am

  I liked the appearance, features, and ride (for an SUV) of this vehicle when I first bought it. Unfortunately, after two years (and 60K) of ownership, Im ready to dump it. I had problems with the air conditioner shortly after the purchase, the housing for the tail lights makes them a hazard (every time you close the hatch, you have to check the lights to see if theyve wiggled loose and need adjusting), the plastic cover on the drivers power-seat broke (and Im not that heavy!).

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  Just dont Know - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Eric - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Well I guess my roots run deep with GM. Got the truck used off a dealer lot with 90000 miles on it. While test driving the truck it performed and looked in excellent condition. The motor and tranny on this truck, as previous GM trucks Ive owned is stout and reliable. Now, As for every thing else well lets just leave it at that for now. Owned a 98 Gmc before this one and it was one of the best vehicles Ive owned, but in the recent years Ive heard and witness a lot of bad rap from GM and was skeptical of buying another. I guess it was the love for that bowtie.

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  Electrical Problems - 1995 Chevrolet Astro
  By Alissa - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I have loved this van. However, at about 100,000 miles I began to have electrical problems i.e. turn signal may or may not work, stalled for no reason and would not restart and the fan goes on and off - not fun in hot weather. It only has 125,000 on it and I am going to sell it. I thought I would get about 150,000 to 175,000 out of it.

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  Mikes Review - 2004 Chevrolet Express
  By Mike Saunders - May 24 - 2:00 am

  This is a great van!