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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  Mine is a lemon - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jrb1958 - July 30 - 2:00 am

  Bought new in July 2003. Has been in the shop 3 times for water leaks. Carpet was replaced. Found 9 body seam leaks. repaired found new body leak, repaired. found another leak repaired. Rained last week had a gallon of water come out of the headliner. Drivers window fell out of the track while driving and fell inside of the door. Grease fittings on steering linkage installed backwards could not grease. Has a ton of rattles and noises in the interior. Drive train? a lot of vibration, Just hoping I can get GM to give me something to replace it. Ive been driving GM products for 30 years but this one is making me wonder why.

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  Had a Few Problems But Happy - 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Happy-campers-r-us - July 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used 18 mos ago with 29,000 miles. Fortunately it was still under mfg warranty and I was able to purchase an extended warranty for $1200. I have used the extended warranty twice in the past 3 weeks. The first time was for the Electronic Brake control module (ABS computer) $950. The second problem was another computer problem for the ignition system = $450. Otherwise I am very happy with the vehicle. We use it to tow our camper and it works great. But I am certainly glad we purchased the extended warranty.

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  Thoroughly Satisfied with This Car - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By RichardT - July 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Sedan model(bench front seat) with the options package(3.8 V6, antilock brakes, etc) which basically makes it the LS without the trim. I can only say that Chevrolet REALLY got it right with this car. It is very comfortable on long trips, easy to handle, rides very smoothly/solid grip on the road, and VERY good mileage I average 26+ mpg in town and on a recent road trip to Toronto (1050 miles) averaged 31+ mpg - at an average speed of 75 mph. To me, the Impala has all the advantages of a full-size car, yet very economical to own. Aside from the small glove compartment and placement of the cruise control, I am totally satisfied.

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  A Kick To Drive - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By ajwagner777 - July 29 - 10:20 pm

  I bought my Monte Carlo having never owned a GM product. I must say that I am VERY pleased. The performance is great even though its not an SS, the fuel economy is awesome for the 3.4L V- 6. I had to put a set of spark plugs in it to correct hesitation. Otherwise, very solid car. I put my own after market stereo in, so if youre wanting to do that, be aware that the wiring adapter was $80. Very nice car, i feel very safe and it is a very fun car to drive. hndles very well around corners at high speeds. Would buy again, and again, and again, and again.

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  2008 chevy silverado - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By kstyle - July 29 - 10:06 am

  After have this truck for a year and with over 11k on the truck the mpg has not improved. I am at best getting 15 mpg and I am light on the foot. I thought this would be a great truck but I just feel that chevy is too cheap to redesign the transmission and adding more power to the engine.

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  Problematic Car - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Dissapointed - July 29 - 3:50 am

  Battery was bad at 10,000 miles. Head gasket blown at 45,000 miles (constant low coolant light on = expensive repair). Fuel injectors bad at 25,000 miles (cleaned). Engine mounts replaced at 60,000 miles (very expensive). AC controls bad at 40,000 miles. Electronic module computer bad at 60,000 miles (replaced = very expensive) Mechanic at the dealers said he has seen these problems repeated over and over with this model. Who pays for it? Who did you think? GM? Naahh... I had mechanical breakdown insurance, but had to pay $250.00 for each incident. What I saved with 0% finance, I have spent in repairs that one would never believe to occur in such a new car. No more GM! Enough!

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  Great Commuter car even for tall people (UPDATED) - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Kai Ponte - July 29 - 3:47 am

  So, I have driven the earlier Malibu cars as rentals. There was nothing fancy about them. Having owned a 2000 Jetta TDI for commuting, I wanted something less cramped, noisy, smelly and with the ability to get 40+ mpg in mostly street driving. I decided between the Malibu, Fusion Energi, Fusion Hybrid, Sonata Plug-in, and Accord Hybrid. Out of all, the Malibu hybrid has the most comfort and room for me (Im 64" and have two 6 tall teenage boys.) After three months and four thousand miles, I can highly recommend this car. It handles great. It is comfortable for long distances, seats four nicely, provides wonderful driving dynamics and has great gas mileage. In spite of it being a hybrid (based on the Volt drivetrain, which is fantastic), it can get out of traffic without a fuss. The engine has great torque and yet still maintains 43 mpg overall. My only complaints are that the trunk is a bit small with the battery pack. I would like to have seen the battery in the floor like the Volt. Also, maybe bring a bigger battery so the car can run on electric a little more. So, far, Ive had zero defects and no need for service. EIGHT MONTH UPDATE: Still highly recommend this vehicle. Easy to drive, very quiet and comfortable. Ive put on 19,000 trouble-free miles with only one oil change. Averaging 39 MPG of mostly city and combined highway driving. Great feel when driving 90MPH on the open road. Occasionally wish it had a V8 like my Avalanche but then remember that my Avalanche gets 14 MPG.

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  solid truck - 1990 Chevrolet S-10
  By rowedaddy - July 29 - 2:00 am

  so far this has been a great truck.only had to replace one thing and that was the fan belt.truck was specially order when new has all the options on it including a digital instrument panal and the optional 4.3l v-6 and 4 speed automatic. truck has all the power i will need in fact it has quicker 0- 60mph runs than the newest s10 pickups. my truck can hit 0-60 in 9.5 seconds versus 9.7 for a s10 vortec 4.3 kinda wierd huh.and it can also make quick work of a 4.6 expedition and a 92 ford explorer 4.0 trust me ive raced.

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  lemon - 2001 Chevrolet Metro
  By debbie j - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 14,000 miles and still under warranty. I took it to the dealership three times while still under warranty about the automatic transmission and the air conditioning not working. I was told there was nothing wrong with the car and I was making a fuss about nothing.. Needless to say, at 39,000 miles I founght myself having to put in another transmission. Now at 62,000 miles I find myself having to put in another. The air condtioning is in need of gas again for the third time although the mechanic stated there was no leak when he checked it. I got burned badly on this lemon and cannot get enough trade to be rid of it! I am stuck with a lemon.

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  Why I bought a Z06 - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By 04torchredz06 - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I was in the market for a new & there was an article in a car mag that tested 4 similar cars at Willow Srpings Race in CA, one that I am intimately familiar with, having driven it many times. They were: BMW M3, 350Z, Porsched 911, and the Z06. The Z06, not surprising to me bascily won every category,and was the second cheapes. The M3was not my style , the Porsche while nice, but too much $. I drove a 350Z & my Eclipse GST with 120K miles will beat that car easily in everything but braking. Yes it is modifed. Found a dealer that would sell it for $45,700, $7000 below sticker, and POWER Chevy in South Bay arranged the deal and all I had to do was sign the papers.