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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  Good for Intended Purpose - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By wongsljp - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Suburban after fully thrashing our Previa minivan in places that it wasnt designed for, and to that end, the Suburban does great. However, here are a few trade-offs you should be aware of and willing to live with. Everything works - sort of: the interior trim rattles when you drive over rough roads (random plastic bits break off), the wipers do funny "dances," wind noise through front doors, noisy at highway speeds, and the seating/cargo arrangement is limiting.

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  Did you say Lemon - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By You can have mine - December 12 - 2:00 am

  This model set Chevy back a few years. Within the first year of this new car, I had injectors, fuel sensor, oxygen sensor, dash, head gasket and electrical system all fail and need to be replaced. The problems didnt stop there and I happily traded it in for a loss.

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  Dont buy Chevys - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By William Jeffers - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a T-top camaro from Carmax in may of 03 and the car leaks from the t-top when it rains and when i wash it. It still had the majority of the manufactures warranty on it so I tried to have chevy fix it and they told me that t-tops will leak and that it cant be fixed. Its a characteristic of the vehicle. Beware!!!

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  Nothing but trouble! - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By sicentird - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with only 11,000 miles on it and yes it ran great for about 3 months, after that you name it it happened. The clear coat on front bumper started flaking off, back drivers side window would not work properly, tires did not hold to wet roads, replacement of 1 tire usually leads to all four because of computer (and at around $80 per tire)gas tank is plastic and small, and lets not forget I had to have my computer sensors reset twice, and it depreciated faster then anything. What happened to Chevy being the best. I will never purchase another Malibu ever.

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  Heart beat of American CRAP - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By big dub 4 life - December 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is a prime example of American CRAP. It is unreliable. After so many miles in this car, one thing after the other starts to break down. This car wont go the distance. From the transmission, belts you name it, it will break! This car had so many RECALLS. Just like all the other American cars CRAP. Save your money and stress dont belive the lies, go foriegn! Please if you want us to buy American put some heart into your products, at least try to make your products last more than 20,000 miles!

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  Money Pit! - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By EBrown - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Have to keep pouring money into this car although it has only 60,000 miles and is taken to a Chevy dealer for repairs. Tires, battery, alternator, ABS, steering column all worked on or replaced! AC switch doesnt work right and brakes squeak. I cant trade the car in fast in enough for a foreigh car-- the Malibu is stalling now and will be taken in again for repairs! This car is too expensive for me and causes to much stress.

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  Service is Lousy & Lots of Minor Defects - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By FAS515 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Love the truck. However, constant "minor" problems need service. Dealer service is sub-par and they never give loaner vehicles. For a $45,000 truck it should be given. Chevy calls minor defects "normal". Water in the front lens, "normal". Loud buzzing from fuel pump "normal". Steering vibration "normal". Water leak in front passenger side of vehicle checked twice. Buy Infiniti/Lexus/Acura.Theyll treat you with respect. If/when you need service for Imports new loaners are provided. Also much better quality than Chevy & about the same price. Dont fall for "Buy American Crap" thats Big 3s hook & rationalization for poor quality & insults every American.

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  Should have been recalled - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By kenh - November 25 - 11:06 am

  Had intermittent problems with surge, no codes ever showed up. Emergency brake flaw is a joke, should have been recalled. Since 100k ABS lights come on at odd times, learned of corrosion on wheel sensor. Clutch pedal does not adjust well.

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  high maintenence vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By fleetman - November 25 - 2:00 am

  Great car till it hits 60K then get out your check book. So far the front brakes have been changed twice, fuel injectors serviced,front end makes awful klunking noise, steering wheel squeeks, catalytic converter changed, computer repaired, ignition repaired, spark plug wires changed and the list goes on and on and on!!!!!!!!

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  Purchasing a Honda Accord - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By aseratretrac - November 24 - 2:00 am

  We loved this car when we first purchased it used...read about brake issues, etc. but didnt have any problems with that until after 50,000 (unless those had been repaired before our purchase). Our big problem has been a fuel issue. The car just quits at 65 mph about every 5-6 months. It does that for about two weeks then seems to be fine again. Weve had the fuel pump checked, and it seems to be fine. Mechanic cant find a problem, and its producing no codes...were now trading vehicles.