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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  Disappointed!! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Not Pleased - April 24 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle about a year and a half ago and have had endless problems. The Transmission shifted rough. I brought it into the dealership and they said there wasnt a fix for it at the time of production of my vehicle, but sold them anyway "As Is." I had the computer reprogrammed which helped some. Also there was wind noise, driver floor and accelerator pedal vibration, weather stripping falling off, rain water leaks on the entire driver side into the vehicle, squeaks and rattles, seatbelt locking up, and breaking wasnt smooth. The vehicle would lunge just before stopping. Should have gotten the Lemon Law on this one!

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  Disappointed!! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By not pleased - April 24 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle about a year and a half ago and have had endless problems. The Transmission shifted rough. I brought it into the dealership and they said there wasnt a fix for it at the time of production of my vehicle, but sold them anyway "As Is." I had the computer reprogrammed which helped some. Also there was wind noise, driver floor and accelerator pedal vibration, weather stripping falling off, rain water leaks on the entire driver side into the vehicle, squeaks and rattles, seatbelt locking up, and breaking wasnt smooth. The vehicle would lunge just before stopping. Should have gotten the Lemon Law on this one!

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  Disappointed - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By bisugreen - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Poor quality. My last minivan was a Lumina APV. Quality has gone down with the Venture. We had numerous problems with the windows - scratching sounds and grease from inside door. Numerous trips to dealer to get fixed. Several problems with dash lights like air bag, ABS, Check Engine. Cup holders on floor are flimsy. Rear hatch plastic handle broke. Replaced brakes just after warrenty expired. Replaced manifold gasket. Mechanic said this was very common. Dealer was nice enough to cover the cost of the manifold gasket even though we were past the warrenty. The change engine oil light is very tricky to reset.

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  Camaro SS- Come join the Best! - 2001 Chevrolet Camaro
  By SS Camaro Guy - April 24 - 2:00 am

  The car has exceptional acceleration, handling, and styling. The magazines tend to give these cars a bad rep about reliability. This is the second 4th generation Camaro I have owned, and they are BULLETPROOF! Mine have handled lots hard miles, and never once have let me down. These cars provide the BEST bang for your buck!

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  Enjoyable - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Kristine - April 24 - 1:30 am

  Ive had my Maxx for over a year. I love the power and on a 3000 mile road trip the mileage was as good as my old Honda Accord. Overall its a great car. I think I wouldve gotten a better deal if Id waited until it was on the market a while longer. Minor problems include the rear sunshades snapping, rear passenger window bumping when you open it, and the front passenger often hits the heat button for the seat on entry (not fun in the summer). Occasional hesitation on start up happened a lot at first (the dealer claimed its Chevy thing) and a recent problem with the wipers.

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  I love my HHR! - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Charity - April 23 - 5:23 pm

  We owned an SUV, and with the higher prices of gas we wanted a more economical vehicle. I spotted an HHR and fell in love with its quirky look. We started researching this vehicle and knew it would suit the needs of our family. Our insurance premiums, car payment and gas consumption dropped. What could be better? Ive always owned more normal and boring vehicles so I wanted something spunky. I ordered the blue HHR and customized it with the leather interior, 6 CD changer, and order a 5-speed. It handles beautifully in all types of weather. We have seat warmers (very nice in winter.) The air bag automatically disengages when a smaller person is sitting in the front seat.

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  Love it - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By dennis - April 23 - 11:50 am

  I went from a 2001 fullsize Chevy to the 4-door Colorado. I thought I would miss the roomy interior, but I had no problem. It rides good, and handles great with good power. Not bad mileage and look great.

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  Stay away from the 2007 Tahoe BUYER BEWARE - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Not happy in OKC - April 23 - 7:17 am

  First let me say from the time I was 25 until now which Im now 53 years of age ive always driven Suburbans or Tahoes. I brought this car in 2008 . I have never had so many little details add up to big details from a vehicle but this one takes the cake. The interior by 6 months was ruined. Peeling door handles that cut you , seat belts that just broke, lights that flicker on and off, air conditioner that just quit blowing then will start back up again, the dash is cracked in 3 places but I have always used sun reflectors to keep heat away from dash, and a cd player that works then doesnt work. The outside the cargo came off in mid drive and had to be remounted, the day running light has had to be replaced a nto less than 12 times since I owed meanwhile the other lights have been just fine. I drive around town only to find other Tahoes with the same light out, I even asked another owner how many times they replaced theirs and they said it went out like almost every month so they quit replacing after 15 times. I believe there has to be a major issue going on with that. First month I owned it I took it back and spent 2500 on an emission problem. Not sure if that was even the issue. That was also supposed to covered on warranty and low and behold it wasnt. Im a single mother of 3 and needed a reliable car and it has preformed for me but not in the way Im used to these vehicles performing. I have had to take it to the shop so much I just decided to get my own mechanic because taking it to the dealership has been extremely expensive each time. Im one to get all the fluid levels drained and restored every year and my vehicle gets changed on time. I know that vehicles are expensive to maintain but never have I had to spend so much on one vehicle in order for the car to preform. I love Tahoes and Suburbans and I dont know if it is just this year or what because the last one I had was a work horse and lasted me well over 259,000.00 miles. I really cant trade it in because the dealership is now saying this car isnt worth anything so Im just stuck with it. If I decide to go out and get another vehicle I will lease it and I think I will be choosing a different SUV. Makes me sad because I have always loved my other SUV from Chevy but I think this is becoming a norm with their cars

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  30K and no problems at all - 2002 Chevrolet S-10
  By gjc866 - April 23 - 2:00 am

  Got my blue S-10 extended cab in Feb 02 currently has 30k on the clock (April 03)The 2.2 4 cyl auto is a bit sluggish but more than adequate for light hauling or city driving. Its not a race vehicle by any strech, but it is solid, reliable, comfortable and nice looking and best of all. Not one single problem in 30,000 miles. The 2.2 liter 4 cyl is very reliable. Keep the oil changed and dont abuse - will easliy last 120K

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  Engine Cradle/Transmission Problems - 2000 Chevrolet Impala
  By Mike Austin - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This car ran well at first. However,creaking and rattling noises started in the front of the car, noted in steering wheel. Dealer installed cradle shims (replaced twice). Transmission went at 100,000 miles (torque converter and 4th gear). Was told by servicing company the transmisison was new for 2000, and has reliability problems. Other 2000 Impalas were taken to the same service shop due to transmission. Also, rotors warp and need to be replaced often. I also had a problem with charcoal canister and emission system. I also had a problem with headliner sagging near sunroof. It is a shame that GM produced a car with this many mechanical problems.