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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  not happy with car - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By joe santagado - August 6 - 2:00 am

  little things breaking, air conditon broke, then streeing, battery replaced by dealer, problem with a valve, dealer fixed

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  Great Car - 1990 Chevrolet Caprice
  By capriclassy - August 5 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car. It hasnt many problems at all. Right now the valve seals are being replaced however. This car is very long, i dont recommend anyone who is starting to drive to take this car. Turning can sometimes be hard because of the length of the car..and some people dont understand. Extremely safe too, ive ran into poles going 10km/h and absolutely nothing happened to the car! I get only 16MPG however.

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  Look elswhere! - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jcosta - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought this new and 2 weeks after taking delivery had it back at the dealer to have the inside roof (of all things) repaired due to a loud noise. Less then 6 months later it was the AC switch, and then the tie rods and then breaks (3 sets in 39k miles). One set of new tires and a couple of other minor things before the head gasket went at 37k miles. Out of warranty... Talked to the service manager and complained about the poor quality of these cars and he told me these engines are notorious for blowing head gaskets. Squeaking serpentine belt replaced 8 times in 3 years. Theyd replace it, but never found the problem for the reoccurring squeak.

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  Would not buy again - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By ys91t7f - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Not a bad vehicle for the price except for chronic brake problems that many others appear to have (if you must buy this car, get the extended warranty!). Problems with A/C also common and annoying clacking noise from engine. Fairly roomy interior, but seats lack leg support for taller drivers on long trips. Would be fairly happy if GM could correct brake problems but they dont seem to have the will or ability to fix. Sorry GM, you blew it with this consumer... just bought a new Toyota

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  Money pit!! - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By lb505 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  This car has been one expense after another. Three fuel injectors have gone (at different times), the transmission needed to be rebuilt at 6 years old, various other engine fixes that seem to cost me at least $500 a fix. I was averaging over $200 a month for repair bills. Paint has peeled off in huge pieces.

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  Warrning!! Watch out for this truck - 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Carney - July 31 - 2:00 am

  71,000 miles the transfer case (NVG246) electronic shifting developed 3 holes. Cost to repair $1400. Rear brakes ruined fluid contamination. Truck is highway driven only, no off road, or heavy towing. Transfer case is poorly designed and built to fail. Internal oil pump wiggles and wears holes in the case. Repair shop said they see A LOT(!) of this. Replacement parts are the same as the old ones GM and New Ventures response, “out of warranty YOUR problem”! Nice response for a truck that coast $31,000 new.

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  lemon - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By todd vernon - July 31 - 2:00 am

  i got this truck to replace my 2000 lt silv. z71 and in the 5 months ive had my 03 its been one biiiiig headache its been at the service center as much as its been in my garage.

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  Crew cab - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By rdouglas - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought the smaller engine thiking that would be all I would need. If you are going to buy this truck get the bigger engine. With the small engine I am getting between 10 and 11 mpg. The short bed does not allow for a larger fuel tank so plan accordingly. Im getting rid of mine and buying a diesel.

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  Not very reliable - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By tdkool - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought this basic model (auto trans) two years ago as a utility vehicle and Ive put 20k miles on it- still low miles (72k) but Im starting to see some of the same issues as mentioned in other posts. (tranny, leaky fluids, etc). I dont rely on it further than 50 miles from home. Horrible mileage and no punch at all.

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  #1 Review - 2001 Chevrolet Astro
  By astroman - July 29 - 2:00 am

  1st gear too torquey Computer seems to 2nd guess your moves: I drive very conservatively most of the time so when I really have to get on it and pass someone, it wants to balk or almost hesitate like it has to figure out what Im about to do Plastic trim is so poorly fitted that you can go around the vehicle and pop trim up with your fingers Very poor ventilation system engineering and quality: the lack of being able to get A/C or fresh air through any of the settings (GM fixes the choice)-theres still plenty of air coming right out at you with front vents closed Wipers on high speed push all the water from the passenger side into the drivers vision.