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:

• 

  weak trans - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By Geoff 1954 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  1st problem, battery went dead and had to replace it under warrenty,2ed transmition problem, overdrive burns out needing a major rebuilt.

• 

  1998 Blazer LT - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Viking9950 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used from a dealer with 28K miles. Is in excellent condition. Everyone in the family wants to drive it. Traveling through mountain passes in the winter, this vehicle has done very well. Had trouble with wiper motor & front door speakers (replaced both). Fuel economy is pretty good. It pulls our 19 boat with ease. This is only a 4 passenger vehicle.

• 

  Bad Toy - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By AdamZ - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my Z28 in the new silver, and it was one of only 3 Z28s left in Houston. Its off the hook on acceleration, and the sound system kicks everyone elses butts. It was a dealer demo, and I got jacked on my trade, but it was worth it to get one on the last available new. Chrome wheels, T tops, and black leather, its an eye catcher indeed.

• 

  TOO MANY PROBLEMS FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE - 2001 Chevrolet Suburban
  By NEVERBUYANOTHER - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Piece of Junk - Very dissatisfied owner. I had following problems. Delivered with bad alignment 3rd row seat is all plastic not leather as advertised Horn burnt out at 36,000 Steering squeeks, is notchy and stiff Transmission slipped at 49,000 miles Fuel pump needed replacement at 20,000 Throttle body needed replacement at 16,000 Needed new battery at 32,000

• 

  Malibu LS Good, but Watch the brakes!! - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DanSmith - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Pretty good car EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKES!!!!! Brakes are a big problem. I have 57000 miles and have replaced front rotor and pads three times. (once under warranty). Replaced back master cylinders twice because they leaked. (Neither under warranty). Very Disapointed in Chevrolet over their lack of help on this issue.

• 

  2002 zo6 - 2002 Chevrolet Corvette
  By joko - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I love my Zo6 as most owners do , The most performance for the buck by a long shot

• 

  Overall Good Work Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Tim Mahoney - May 16 - 10:56 pm

  I have owned the Chevy 2500hd for about six months and I have not had any problems with this truck whatsoever. I think the towing power of this truck is second to none and have no problems pulling a trailer loaded with 400gal of water and barrels loaded with soaping solutions for my business. I also have an industrial grade power washing unit bolted down in my trailer with weight totlaing about 3 tons when loaded for jobs. This truck pulls the trailer like its not even there. I also plow accounts with the truck and have no problem doing this either, even when the snow is a foot high or better. Overall I have had good luck with this truck and never thought that I would own CHEVY not Ford..

• 

  My HHR LT - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By RICH M - May 16 - 7:40 am

  Honda owner for many years. I Just liove my HHR LT. Its fun to drive and comfortable. Great styling and gas mileage. Went on a trip and average mileage was 31.3mpg. Cant beat that at todays gas prices!

• 

  I could have done better... - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By What was I thinking? - May 16 - 2:00 am

  My gut instinct was not to buy this truck, but somehow that day I kinda liked it. The possibility of a few quirks would have been acceptable since I only needed it for home ownership purposes. When I took it to an independent mechanic I learned it couldnt even pass a simple state safety inspection. Poor build quality had sent it to be traded in, and the dealer wouldnt give it the help it needed without added cost. There are several, better choices out there for the consumer to choose from.

• 

  My car is always broken! - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Unsatisfied cavalier - May 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had almost everything fixed and it just keeps breaking down. I bought it used as a bargain, and it has been far from that. Ive put more money into than I paid for it just three years ago. Off the top of my head, things that have been replaced are the entire cooling system, the computer chip, brakes more than once, air conditioner, and the inside is falling apart!