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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  No problems - 2004 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Scott Williams - February 4 - 2:00 am

  Since I traded in my Tahoe I will always keep my Suburban. It is a very dependable vehicle with no problems to report.

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  More car for the price - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By pdm777 - February 3 - 2:23 pm

  I looked at the 09 Equinox and was not impressed loved the Traverse...but a little pricey and did not like the gas mileage...when I saw an add for the 2010 Equinox I had to go look...it was totally tricked out with more room, and better MPG and a total redone. Loved that it was also less expensive and had more features added.

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  Excellent Car!! - 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mar-tone - February 3 - 2:00 am

  This was my 1st new car purchase and the best $10,400 I ever spent! After 13+ years and 129,000 miles Ive gone through 2 exhaust systems, 2 starters, a head gasket, 3 brake jobs, and one water pump. But STILL a VERY dependable car year round. Still handles good, good mileage. Not the fastest or shiniest car on the block - but I own it. NO car payment, low taxes and STILL dependable transportation to work. "Trade in value"?...who needs it! Chevrolet made a winner here!!!

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  Get One - 2004 Chevrolet Tracker
  By talkitup - February 3 - 2:00 am

  The power of this vehicle is well designed for its size. Fun vehicle to drive even in the snow. The 4WD works very well.

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  Good Job Chevrolet ! - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By august66 - February 3 - 2:00 am

  I test drove 4 other cars( Focus ZX3, Civic, Protege , Elantra) before deciding on the Cavalier. My choice was easy. For the price, it cant be beat. Fun to drive, decent gas mileage, easy to maintain and very nice looking. Safe also, was invloved in an accident this past weekend where a 2002 Honda Accord ran a red light and hit me squarely on the passenger rear fender and wheel. Car took it and I was able to drive away (a flat tire later) but probably less than 3K damage. The Honda lost its entire front end. I didnt even loose a wheel cover...

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  Perfect Compromise! Get One Now! - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By barnhouse2 - February 2 - 4:50 am

  My wife has never let me forget about someone rear-ending me (actually a hit and run)and totalling her 1994 Cavalier Z-24. We ended up "replacing" it with a loaded 2000 LeSabre a couple of years ago. Both cars were great, but so far our Monte Carlo SS could not be a more perfect fit and compromise of both cars. Black leather on black is really cool and has already gotten lots of compliments from several after only a few days. The creature comforts are similar to a luxury car, yet the sporty features make it extremely fun to drive. The gas mileage is very respectable @ 28ish mpg! I hadnt initially pursued one with a supercharger, but Im glad I found one. Very smooth/fun!

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  Decent Truck - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By bhaines - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I used to have a 92 S-10 with the 2.8. It was a very good low maintanance truck. This one is a little more high maintanance. Had lots of problems with the wiper switch. Had to be replaced. Thank goodness for warranty. Also had the fuel pump, ac blower and compresser, and encoder motor on the 4wd replaced. I expected a few kinks being the first year model so I am not surprised. The dealership fixed all of my problems though.

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  Good, cheap fun - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By RBTaylor - February 2 - 2:00 am

  This is my first convertible and my first Chevy, and I love it. Some people complain about the engine noise from inside the car I think its got a great purr. Not too loud, but not dead silent like a Honda. Acceleration is great for a four-banger with a four speed auto, and handling is smooth. The ride is nice, but still sporty, allowing you to feel the road. Riding up front with the top down, its remarkably quiet and not too windy. I replaced the factory stereo with a Rockford, which sounds great even with the original speakers. Ive driven from Utah to California and back a couple of times and never had a problem. Just a fun car!

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  GM Junk-Chev Blazer 98 - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By k bryant - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Heres a list of things that have failed a vehicle that was well maintained. NOT at all happy with GM and have always been a GM buyer. Not likely to be this time around. -3 bad injectors -axle boots failed before 50K miles -cat and O2 sensor failed at 80K miles -transmission failed at just over 100K miles, $2,600 to rebuild, was serviced at 60K even though dealer said it didnt need it until 100K! -TPS sensor failed at 120K. -fuel pump failed-125K. -water pump-130K. -A/C compressor failed-130K. -heater core failed-138K. -both oil lines for remote oil filter have failed with leaks -And, to top it all off the head gasket finally decided it was time to go.

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  Chevrolet Blazer - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Pam Watts - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with the suspension on this vehicle. It was put in the shop two different times, for a week each time. Problem never corrected. Struts and shocks were replaced, but htis wasnt the problem. Vehicle creaks and squeaks when you hit any type of irregularity in the road. Sounds like the chassis will come apart, also embarrasing. Mechanics say they cant find the problem. Out of warrenty now.