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:

• 

  Reliable but lacks comfor - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Scott3125 - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I have to give it to Chevrolet, this Cavalier has not one mechanical problem since I have owned this vehicle. It is the most reliable vehichle I have owned. Comfort scale is low though. Interior could fit the driver better. Dependablity has put this car in a class by itselt. Thanks Chevy

• 

  stuck with mine - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cronic dissapointmen - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive had each of the problems everyone else had. Quickly worn brakes (x2), failed alternator, failed battery, failed tensioner, failed water pump, leaking intake gasket, failed a.c. switch, broken glove compartment latch, steering wheel finish worn off, cheap interior quality, erratic a.b.s. light and the list goes on.

• 

  OK car, poor mileage, uncomfortable... - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By erik_j_72 - April 9 - 10:00 am

  The seat is very uncomfortable. There is no lumbar support and I could not recommend this car for long trips. The seat only adjusts two ways: front-to- back and seat-back angle adjustment. The road noise and tire whine were very quiet, even at speeds around 75 mph. Ride quality was acceptable, although many small bumps on the highway that other cars had no trouble with caused the Impalas steering wheel to jerk and jitter. There was ample trunk space and rear seat storage space for my equipment. After a quick trip to the gas station the gas milage was a measly 18 mpg, absolutely HORRIBLE for 100% highway driving.

• 

  Stay away from 5.3L AFM engines! - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By GM_Blaine - April 5 - 2:36 pm

  Ive always purchases only GM vehicles. The latest purchase turned out to be my worst car-ownership experience. The subject truck has an apparent defect that caused carbeurization in cyclinders, sticking rings and incredible oil consumption. The vehicle was back and forth to the dealer for 12 months before I threatened legal action and finally got a warranty piston and ring replacement. The engine had just 60,000 miles at the time of the repair. I have not been able to use this vehicle as i had hoped and I have to look now to trade it in before the rings gum up again in 40,000 miles. GM refused to acknowledge any kind of problem for 12 months!

• 

  2004 Chevy S-10Crew - 2004 Chevrolet S-10
  By jiminpa2k4@yahoo.com - April 4 - 3:00 am

  The price was the determiming factor. The new Colorados are too expensive. Ill buy a Ford F-150 Crew cab before I pay that much for a Colorado/Canyon.

• 

  Reliability Problems - 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By TahoeTrannyFailed - April 4 - 3:00 am

  This truck has reliability problems of certain components. Steering sensors have failed twice, fuel pump once $900, transmission $3500. This truck has 75000 miles on it and never pulled a trailer, nor been used off road. Fuel pump and transmission will fail without warning and leave you on the side of the road. Steering sensors cause the truck to turn off the road or into the oncoming lane, but atleast you can get back to town to the shop. I paid 1997 prices and received 1977 reliability. If buying one be sure to get an extended warranty and a cell phone to call tow truck when it breaks down on the road.

• 

  They should pay.... - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Mark Ferrer - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with this car in the last six months. Fuel pumps, the timing, but lately, the wonderful theft system keeps cutting on and leaving me and my car stranded on the side of the road. Chevy says this is not their problem, but upon investigation, I have found that this has happened often to this model car. Instead of a recall, chevy continues to stick their head in the sand and pretend they have no liability in this area. I recommend that not only do you stay away from Malibu, but all chevys. They DO NOT stand behind their product.

• 

  Average - 2001 Chevrolet Tracker
  By julespro - March 31 - 2:00 am

  This car has been very reliable. However, it is very compact. There is no leg space and not much room for cargo. The interior is made with very economical plastic. Not a good car for family travel. The seats are very uncomfortable. But it ran fairly well.

• 

  97 cav - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By clh - March 29 - 2:00 am

  comfortable car nice looking but too frequently in the shop for many minor problems

• 

  Need to look back - 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
  By vetteboy - March 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is not as sexy as the 1962 vette. It even under performs compared to my 1962. They need to re-look at that design and go back to a real sports car. My M3 convertible(2004) is much more fun to drive and it feels more sporty as well.Its not as expensive as a 62 or the M3 but then you really get what you pay for. Im actually disappointed, I was looking for 62 exhileration again, and they missed by a mile...what happened to the 327/340horse with real giddyup...