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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  Money Pit - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By nyswag - June 5 - 8:25 am

  This was my first car and its in the shop right now for about the 7th time in a year. in the past 3 months I have had to have it towed 4 times. I have put over 2 grand into it with repairs. It goes through gas like nothing, brakes failed on me twice, rear windshield wiper doesnt work anymore, power seats and locks dont work anymore. I will never own another blazer. Sure it was great in the snow and looks decent but everything else is pretty terrible. I would not recommend this as a daily driver...maybe just for someone to use in the snow and thats it.

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  GM and dealership still needs work. - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By harleyrider4 - June 4 - 8:55 am

  I bought my 2010 cobalt from a Chevrolet dealer. Right from the begining I had problems. First I found a few things wrong covered under warranty. The problem is they ordered the wrong weatherstrip 4 times and the dealership is 45 minutes away. The same dealer also had printed its own window sticker that stated the car has traction control and ABS which I found out last winter it doesnt. Now the best part on May 13 2013 The Ignition Key is Stuck in the Run position. Took it to a different dealer since I could Not Shut Car Off. 220.00 dollars for a new Ign. lock cylinder. GM knows this is a common problem! I made a complant with GM. After jerking me around for three weeks they denied my claim

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  Brakes and rotors - 2011 Chevrolet Malibu
  By mthorsemama - May 28 - 6:45 pm

  Have less than 29,000 miles on the car, the front ROTORS have been resurfaced once and replaced twice ! Front BRAKES replaced once. The back ROTORS have been replaced once, and BRAKES replaced once. I have filed a complaint with GM. The mileage is not close to where they advertised ! In addition the transmission doesnt act right. I have been told there is no problem with it ! I would love to hear from others that have had brake and rotor issues, or anyone that has been successful at GM buying the while back ? ! Please....

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  Computer is junk, hub assemblies fail - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By a_edwill - May 16 - 8:52 pm

  Its a nice, roomy vehicle. After owning it about a year though the automatic window motors went out one by one. Then we lost cruise control. Then the air conditioner, but it eventually came back. One day I got in and started it, none of the panel items (speedometer, gas gauge, etc) worked. Had to replace both of the hub assemblies a couple years ago, they said its a known issue with Suburbans. Ive had it 4 1/2 years now and the electrical system is hosed. Dealer wants $1000 to replace the computer. Its junk. Will trade it in on something that isnt junk.

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  Bad drivetrain in the 2011s - 2013 Chevrolet Equinox
  By lsmithhart - May 15 - 7:44 am

  We initially loved our Equinox, until the breakdowns and dangerous acceleration problems. The engine repairs began at 4500 miles or so, the transmission was repaired at 15,000 miles or so. With 30,000 miles, my wife doesnt feel it is reliable, so she drives the 2007 Mazda. The GM approach to satisfaction? Sorry!

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  Cheaply assembled, Money Pit. - 2011 Chevrolet Traverse
  By nathanrobert - May 14 - 8:45 am

  Bought in July of 2010. Were at 50K miles now. Problems weve had that arent normal wear-and-tear include: Interior and exterior parts snapping out of place too easily. "Service Stabilitrak" malfunction. Car stalls and reduces engine power unexpectly, Has happened numerous times even after being serviced. Very frustating issue. Cracked engine mount. Bearing failure with the steering column. AC non-funcitioning two springs in a row. Gas mileage has been unwhelming, thats was expected as we do mostly city driving. Car is decent when things are working, but overall, its just bee a money pit with too many headaches for what was a brand new car when we purchased.

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  Not impressed - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By frederick87 - May 12 - 3:22 pm

  Ive had my 2001 Blazer for about 2 years and I can honestly say that it has been a money pit. Ive spent over $2,000 in repairs, it is definitely a maintenance item. The GM Dex-coolant clogged the heater core and radiator. I had to replace the radiator and hoses at about 120k. The engine is powerful but sluggish, the tranny slips, the door pins and hinges took a crap this winter, the four-wheel drive no longer works, the ABS and o2 sensors are notorious failures, the car is prone to electronic issues, and the gas mileage is similar to a full size truck. Car handles poorly, the interior plastic rattles, driver door panel is barely hanging on, and the ride is pretty rough.

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  6500 mile review - Good value, definitely not the same as European cars - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By weatherman07 - May 9 - 7:48 pm

  I have this car because I got a very good lease. Its the 1LT with an auto. Currently 6500 miles, 7 mo. in. It s been in the shop for a thermo, and STILL has a wintertime heater issue. There are creaks and squeaks galore too, particularly with the drivers seat. But, it does get good gas mileage and has reasonable performance for an economy car. Mine has the convenience package, which has a car starter and backup sensors, which are indeed convenient. The back seat is very small. The build quality is much better than previous Chevys, but still is cheaper than my VW. The trunk liner and the door coverings are particularly chintzy. The sat radio is nice, as is the bluetooth for the phone.

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  Good Ol reliable! - 2000 Chevrolet Prizm
  By beanz3 - May 7 - 2:22 pm

  Ive had my prizm for 13 years now. I have no trouble with it eating oil, as others have stated. The inner handles do break, however they are very easily replaced (under 5 minutes each) and if ordered online, very inexpensive (look for toyota corolla). Outer door handles break as well, the front ones arent horribly difficult to replace. After 13 years, it is now starting to act up and trying to stall if it hasnt been driven in a few days, but after warming up runs just fine. No problem with AC or heater. My cd player did stop working however.

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  2005 Impala - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By klm005 - May 3 - 6:45 pm

  I purchased the extended warranty which gave me coverage to 60,000 miles. I loved this car until the problems began. I have replaced tie rods which failed just out of warranty. My biggest problem has been whenever there is a hard, fast rain, the front floor passenger floor fills with water. It happened at least half a dozen times. My dealer said they could do nothing since there was no water when they looked at it. After my warranty expired, my speakers stopped working. The radio is fine, but no sound. There is also no dinging sound for low fuel... Now, at 95,000 miles, my transmission is slipping. Ive been told it could be just clogged fuel line. Dont know what to buy next.