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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  Bring you Wallet - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By MN-Suburban - May 21 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new Back in the shop within one week In the shop every 6 months. On my 3rd tranny and I dont tow anything! So far, $14,000 in repair bills. To the point now that fixing it is still cheaper than a new truck payment. Ill try and hang on for 10 years.

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  Mmmmm, ball joints!! - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Robin Masters - May 21 - 2:00 am

  If you would like to own a Chevrolet Blazer, prepare to set up a special savings account for the purchase of replacement ball joints. These things love em! And no I do not go off road and/or drive this vehicle hard at all. I had a 91 previously, and it was the same way. Every 5 to 10 thousand miles it needed ball joints, and a tailpipe.

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  1999 K2500 Diesel Suburban Testimony - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By rbellew - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Here are the facts from the last 24 months/39K miles. Mostly highway time with no towing. - 99 diesel Suburban 4x4 with 83K - Injection pump resistor pack failed - Rear pinion bearing recently failed - Both motor mounts failed - Four door lock actuators failed - A/C compressor badly leaking oil - A/C condensation leaks on carpet - Rusting at the bottom of 4 doors - Rear barn doors leak severely - More repairs in prior GM records - Market value drops faster than loan This vehicle doesnt come close to the quality and reliability of my 94 Ford Ranger 4x4.

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  Nice Hauler, but troublesome. - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Pats Truck - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used with 53000 miles. My neighbor is a GM mechanic and told me Id be putting a water pump on it soon. At 63,000 sure enough, it needed a water pump. Within months started seeing coolant leak again. This time intake manifold gaskets. Researched the internet, seems this is a problem with 5.7 engines. GMs solution...redesign the motor. No service bulletin, no corporate support, fix it yourself. Its unfortunate GM refuses to be honorable and stand behind what is obviously a defect, not normal wear and tear. It ran better after new gaskets but wallet $600 lighter. All in all my family loves it but my instincts tell me to get rid of it soon.

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  Fixer upper! - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By stranded in PITT - May 19 - 2:00 am

  LOTS of things broke. In for linkage work throughout entire first year. Elec problems leaves in fan - several blown switches wipers severed from frame air blows in through handles tires do NOT HOLD air (alum rims???)

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  scary - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By jholt - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Do not get this car! At 95,000 miles it needed a new engine. About 10,000 miles later, it needed a $300-$400 repair every month or so. I have now decided to just buy another car. Take my advice, DO NOT GET THIS CAR!

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  If only the engine worked... - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Miss Charlie - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Oh how GM has disappointed me. Bought this brand-new in 99, now has 64k miles. I absolutely adored this car, took great care of it. Without warning it crapped out and voila, it needs a new engine. Needless to say I am not paying for that repair the money will be better-spent towards something new (and probably foreign). I had no problems up until then except for a warranty-covered sunroof replacement.

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  Lacks quality - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By troubled owner - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I like to drive Tb. But it is poorly constructed. Bhe transmission has gone out twice in the first 40,ooo miles. It has an intermitent electical problem. One time the heater motor wont work. Restart, everything works(just like microsofts fix for everything). The problem rotates wipers, dashlights, radio. Rear lid crown blew off traveling on interstate of course this happened at 38,000 miles. Chevrolet says sorry, no coverage

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  Not impressive! - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By alahiri - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Good on snow. The audio is good. Side mirrors are large. Tires will last 100K miles easily (if you dont go off- road or dont tow too much). The high- way ride is pleasant. However, the reliability is at best average - expect $2000 in repair bills in first 5 years. Also, the interior is very poorly built and expect some rattles.

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  Utter Disappointment. - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dullahan - May 15 - 10:35 pm

  This was my first brand new truck I bought. I previously owned a 1995 Chevy Cheyenne truck and loved it. I wished I never got rid of her. I only had my 2010 Silverado for 4 months before I traded in. Within 4000kms the transmission had to be replaced do to a loud whining noise. It took me months of battling with GM to get the transmission replaced. At one point the truck was at the dealer once a week. The driveline clunks loudly. The speakers vibrated and rattled. The back window of the truck squeaked and creaked. Passenger side door had something lose inside causing it to rattle as well. Within the first 1000kms the engine developed a ticking noise when warmed up. Terrible truck!