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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  opinion - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By westbeach - January 23 - 2:00 am

  Front panel electrical system has been a chronic problem. Blower has had to be repaired 3 times. Intake/Recirc is now broken. Bulbs blow out, a fortune to fix. Brake repair and battery replacement. NOW, the cars transmission will not shift in the cold weather. Needs 5 minutes to warm up to even think of shifting. Repair shop says all these problems are KNOWN issues with this car. Cheve Customer Service was HORRIBLE. Quote: "Once you buy the car, it is your problem". Dealer sold me a warranty, now the warranty company is bankrupt and the dealer said it is my problem.

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  2003 Monte Carlo, bad power steering - 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Rozie - January 22 - 3:06 pm

  I have had this car serviced 8 times in 17 months for problems with the power steering pump. Eventually, the entire power steering rack was replaced, but the problem is still not resolved. I love the look and feel of the car, but the mechanics on it are horrible. I am a loyal GM customer, but the difficulties that I have had with the servicing of this vehicle are pushing me towards foreign cars with much better manufacturers warranties.

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  just okay - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By done with GM - January 20 - 2:00 am

  It runs most of the time the mileage isnt bad and its appearance is acceptable. I feel the performance is poor even for a 4 cylinder. I have had problems with the plug wires when it is raining and the wires get wet. It refuses to start if the temp. is below 10 degrees. The wipers only work sometimes. The lumbar support broke the day I bought it and of course the seat adjustment handle broke shortly thereafter. I dont think Ill buy GM again mostly due to GMs fairly consistent failure to acknowledge common design flaws and fix them at a resonable cost to the consumer.

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  1998 C2500 w/7.4 - 1998 Chevrolet Suburban
  By fellows - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this used and have been happy with the vehicle for 8 months. I got new pads for the brakes and installed a K&N Filter Kit. On a trip to Idaho/Montana I got 14mpg/65mph, 13mpg/70mph, and 11.9/78mph. Three kids, dog, trailer.. no problems. This vehicle is great around town, it has a very sharp turning radius and can get with it when necessary. With gasoline nearing $1.75, it costs ~ $65 or so to fill. I feel very safe within in the vehicle.

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  Front axle woes - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Concerned GM buyer - January 18 - 6:36 pm

  Any time I turn right,for example, turning right into a parking space, the steering mechanism groans. I got the car new! Theres not yet 5000 miles on the odometer. The engine seems OK, simply peppy, but the noise turning hopefully can be remedied under warranty. I wonder about new GM cars with Magnasteer and GMs more upscale cars with steering, ride and handling. My mileage mpg is 27.5 shy of 31 mpg EPA testing.

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  Lemon - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Cavanaugh - January 14 - 2:00 am

  The blazer has been my favorite car to drive. Good ride. But I have had too many problems with it in the 3 years Ive owned it.: Multi-switch, abs modular, Oil cooling hoses, Stripping around windows, brand new transmission, now something in the front end I have to have checked. This is the last American Car I will own.

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  Never buy American again. - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Viking2 - January 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this 1998 LT 4WD Blazer with all hope in the world that buying American would be a good thing. Anything but has been the case. I paid $31,000 with tax and this was my hard earned money as I am a nurse. The car is a beauty to look at but a poor quality mechanical car. It has been an electrical nightmare. I have been stranded 5 times, Ive had to buy AAA for all times Ive been towed. The alternator has been replaced twice. Chevrolet dealer put in a used one which then failed again. The battery cables had to be changed which cost $200. The alternators $400 each. The battery went dead, another $100.

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  Not so good.... - 2000 Chevrolet Corvette
  By fool me once shame - January 13 - 2:00 am

  Have had trouble and the local dealers here in Lake County Florida are real jerks. Have tried both... both rip you silly... Sorry, but I guess I had expectations... for 45k that were too high... I am replacing the car with a BMW 500 series

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  1991 S10 SB - 1991 Chevrolet S-10
  By falconbrother - January 12 - 2:00 am

  This little truck has been only fairly reliable. However, its a decent little work horse for the size. The 2.5 engine is noisy, but good on gas. My little truck has hauled everything from motorcycles to entertainment centers. When one considers the cost to own this truck with how useful it is the only conclusion is that its a great little truck.

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  Money Pit! - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By yuckmalibu - January 12 - 2:00 am

  A lot of same complaints. Replaced brakes, pads & rotors 4 times in 80K. Wiper arm broke of during use. Manifold gasket leaked coolant into engine. Control arms replaced. Replaced right wheel hub bearings - left ones going bad. Air conditioning switch only worked on 3. ABS light came on for no reason. Sunroof went offtrack twice. Traded for a Honda when the onboard computer failed. Had enough of dumping money into the car! Standard "aging" repairs, no problem. Major repairs over & over - problem. Problems always met with silence by dealer. Will never buy a GM product again.