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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  Hate this vehicle - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By rsand02 - February 27 - 2:28 pm

  Literally the biggest piece of junk Ive ever had the displeasure of owning. Purchased it with 40,000 miles. If you enjoy replacing endless front end suspension and steering parts, then this is your baby. The interior levers and latches seem to be made of card board. Had to repair intake manifold gasket, oil lines, AC compressor, ball joints twice, front axle shafts twice, sway bar, steering gear box, and pitman arm. This is before 130K.The engineering team at chevrolet should be take out back and shot for the creation of this monetary black hole. If you are considering buying one of these bang your head against the wall a dozen times and you will have the same experience I have had.

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  Absolute dissapointment - 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
  By coswife13 - February 25 - 10:10 pm

  I bought this 2010 Malibu used with 55,888 miles on it. Lets just say I should have kept my 2007 Impala. I traded due to wanting a car without leather but needless to say that was a small problem compared to everything that has happened with this Malibu. I have been back to the dealership 6 times in the last month and a half that I have had it and it still isnt running properly. I had to put all new tires, new brakes, a new blower in the heater. My speakers are junk and they have put new struts on but I am still experiencing the same noise as before the "new" struts were on. I have never had to put this much work into a car before and my first car was 15 years old when I got it!

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  DO NOT BUY THIS TRUCK - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By chevysucks1 - February 21 - 5:07 pm

  The Chevy Colorado is an electrical nightmare. If you are considering buying this truck, leave the dealership immediately, and go buy a horse. This truck is complete garbage. The blower works, sometimes, the lights work, sometimes, the radio works, sometimes, and its all stems from GM having a terrible electrical system. I have read forums with people having these issues with the Colorado of any year. So, GM obviously doesnt care enough to fix the issues their vehicles have considering the electrical systems they install have been worthless for over a decade with no recalls. I would recommend buying from any other manufacturer.

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  NOT IMPRESSED - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By mike742 - February 20 - 9:20 pm

  I had a Dodge Caravan that I drove for 4 1/2 years and loved it. I finally put it to rest with260,00 miles on it. Wish i bought another 1, but no, I bought a 2004 Chevy Venture. At first I thought it was a good purchase, but I found out I was wrong when I started having serious electrical problems, windows stopped working, abs light and engine light came on fuel guage fell to E and this annoying chime started sounding off continuously while driving, poer locks no longer work and then it left me stranded on the side of the road.All these problems are caused by a water leak somewhere and rotting all the wiring under the carpet. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. No longer a chevy fan

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  Dont buy this car! - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By mo_khan37 - February 17 - 8:20 am

  I wanted a all wheel drive vehicle that was not a gas guzzler and decided to buy an American made car. First mistake was buying on emotion. Second mistake was keeping this vehicle to the point where it is not worth trading in. Poor quality with multiple issues. Motor that pushes washer fluid malfunction in year one, power moon roof in year two, rubber that holds windshield started flapping around ans was loose in year three, steering ends are now giving problems, and sensor costing $600 needs to be changed in year 6. This car has 70,000 miles and was well cared for. Yet my wife with her car that is 5 years older and has 50,000 more mile has to drive me to work in her HONDA as my car is in the shop.

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  I Hate this CAR, I hate it I hate it I hate it - - 2013 Chevrolet Volt
  By jumblejumlbe - February 8 - 8:08 pm

  This could be a reasonable car if you live in southern California and dont drive more than 20 miles a day. If that is not you, dont even think about buying this POS. It does not drive in the snow. When its cold and the heater turns on it has to run a second generator motor which sounds like someone started a lawn mower in your trunk. I drive a lot, more than 300 miles a day, and while it has a charge the power and handling isnt bad, but since I drive on the highway a lot the charge doesnt last very long. once it switches to gas only its performance is horrible.. if you leave it for a few days and the bluetooth is on itll drain your starting battery and youll need to call service

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  Lots of Problems - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By bdawg1210 - February 6 - 8:44 am

  My Chevy Cruze currently has 42,00 miles on it and it had been a painful 42,000 miles. I have to take my car in almost monthly to get serviced. Some of the problems I have encountered is the fan not working for the a/c and heating unit, water pump broken causing my car to leak anti-freeae making my car over heat, weird noise coming from front left tire that all the mechanics say is weird because they hear it but cant find the problem, the list goes on. I would not recommend buying any year, make, or model of the Chevy Cruze. I bought the car because I wanted to support a U.S. automaker because all the other cars I have previously purchased were foreign, but I will never buy a chevy agai

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  BAD VAN! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By evehowell - February 5 - 11:52 am

  LS my butt!!! I bought mine used 4 or 5 yrs ago, for $3,600. I have sunk more money into it then it is worth!! The automatic sliding door wont work right, the heat sucks real bad, the a/c stopped working a month after I bought it, I have had issues with the struts, brakes, ball barrings, anti-freeze leaks, anti-lock brakes, hard time starting this year after it has been driving, window not working now, my serpentine beat just fell off and a Head Gasket is leaking!!!!! Not putting any more money into it!!! only had 145,000miles!!! I drove two Plymouth Voyagers well past 200,000mi before losing them! Never again will I buy Chevy.

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  Worst Car EVER!!! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By ihatecobalts - January 30 - 3:05 pm

  Bought the car new and has been nothing but a headache. New gear shifter (It locked down and wouldnt shut off or let me put in park), had the get the gas tank fixed twice, oil pan cracked, pulley snapped off, and at a whopping 89000 it blew up. This car is JUNK off the charts LEMON. Money pit no dealership even wants to mess with it. Its past the warranty but the 100000 power train warranty doesnt hold up. Never buy this car..EVER it will leave you stranded several times for hours with kids. NO ONE ever stops anymore. It also over heats for NO reason got it checked by the dealership.

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  P.O.S.!! WORST CAR EVER!!! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By sean_1976 - January 19 - 11:57 pm

  Ive owned many cars over the years and can honestly say this is by far the worst one ive ever had. Bought it at 80K.. 92K it all started: - warped front rotors constantly - road noise is horrible - terrible desgn with blind spots - replaced the engine at 135K - wind shield wipers hitting each other - -0- power - replaced 2K worth of sensors and moduals - seats stained SOOO Easlily - if the battery goes dead, you cant open the rear gate to get to the battery.. JESUS, i absolutely HATE this damned car. Does actually get good mileage.. (when its actually on the road and not in the shop) DO NOT BUY ONE!! Id buy an ugly 1991 ford escort 4 door hatck back with 350K miles first