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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  2017 Cruze, great vehicle! - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Kevin vanDeutekom - January 22 - 11:03 pm

  The only complaint I have is that the paint on the vehicle seems to be paper thin. I have a new chip or ding every day. I bought a paint repair pen and it has been difficult keeping up.

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  Reliable Commuter - 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Curtis - January 22 - 11:03 pm

  I bought this car in 2003 with 60,000km. I am now up to 280,000km and the car runs as smooth as the day I bought it. Havent had to touch anything under the hood. Just the usual wheel bearings and tye rod replacements that you would normally have to with this kind of mileage. I have car pooled with people recently who drive imports and I just find they cant compare to the smoothness/comfort of a GM.

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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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  Very Satisfied Customer - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By J.R. Warner - January 22 - 2:53 pm

  Ive had nothing but very good experiences with this truck. Its roomy, comfortable, and pulls a good load. The DuraMax diesel is quiet and gives good fuel economy. Very sound and stable feeling.

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  My Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Darlene - January 22 - 6:10 am

  I have only had this SUV for 7 mos and alredy I have fixed/replaced 3 things on this truck. They are: the sensor that controls the dash indicators, the radio, and the bowtie on the tailgate. However, this is a good truck.

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  S10 - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By Randy Auvil - January 22 - 2:00 am

  We have gotten about 17.0 mpg in general driving and 22.0 on a trip. It appears to lack power on hills. My wife calls it a girls truck. Its her truck.

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  Great Car! - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Bigmnky - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I love this car its my newest car Ive ever owned and its great smooth ride great sound inside good looks and its god all kinds of power.

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  Great car for the cost. - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Leslie Lou - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This was the first car I ever purchased, I still love it as much now as I did when I rove it off the lot 7 years ago with only 7 miles on it. The paint is a little weak scratches way to easy. Lot of ratteling in the dash board from the ashtray to the defroster grill to the glove box, thank goodness I have a nice stock stereo system in the car.

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  Love it till Tran droped - 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Pardoe1 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I loved my Tahoe Great power and almost no problems in 2 years. Just a fuel pump. That was covered by extended warenty. BUT @ 111000miles the transmission droped 3rd and 4th and I was in the middle of no where. Limped it home and find the company I bought extended warenty from is belly up and dealer says oh well. Im going to see if I can get a Allison trans in this thing.