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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  One tough (& impressive-looking) truck! - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By EBL - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This truck gives one a sense of "full control" -- as to its road handling abilities. It handles pot holes and bumps very effectively, resulting in a smooth ride. The 4.8 liter V8 provides more than enough power; in fact, I had to add sand bags for added weight in the bed to reduce spinning tires on takeoff. The engine is also ultra-quiet - even with the hood raised. The only concern so far: on occasion, under during certain low speed conditions, the drive train can be "jerky" on accelleration. Overall, the truck lives up to GMs reputation -- and, is truly built "Like a Rock."

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  J.D. Powers Quality Awards Commercial - 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By JMV51 - April 16 - 3:14 pm

  Own 2010 Tahoe LT, great truck! Feel extremely safe in it while driving. But all cars are not perfect and neither is this one. About the third and/or the fourth year of ownership the trim details began to show faulty, specifically the side body moldings and the dashboard. Side body moldings began to separate severely from the body on the front passenger side door as well as on the other doors at certain areas on the trim. On the dash, cracks have developed over the driver instrumentation panel as well as an area over the passenger side airbag area. Service managers have told me that they know of these problems, but Chevy hasnt given any directives to correct them. My extended warranty doesnt cover these "defects" because theyre considered "trim" which isnt covered! The J.D. Powers commercial on quality doesnt mention how far back that study goes other than those presented in the 30-second ad. Ive made temporary repairs on the moldings but cant do anything about the dash. Thats the only stuff thats disappointing about owning my Tahoe, quality is not spent on Trim!

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  2006 Chevy Cobalt - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By greenlaven - April 16 - 7:06 am

  Very affordable. Gas is great if you drive between 55-65. I usually drive behind big trucks to get my money worth (more mile per gallon). Comfort is great and quite inside. Havent driven the super sport, but they do look fun to drive. I almost purchase the Aveo until the dealer showed me the new Cobalt. Why not for a few bucks more? This car almost look like a Japanese car and there are lots of aftermarket parts that will make this car look real good. Overall I am very pleased with its looks and performance.

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  Its ok...... - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By davis - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car in 07/02 with 104,000 miles. Its a very roomy car. I get about 23 mpg. The air conditioner and heat are awful, not much blowing power. The brakes could be better, hard to stop the car quick. But what more can I expect for a used car.

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  Amazing machine - 1991 Chevrolet Beretta
  By V_i_D - April 16 - 2:00 am

  This car has to be the best idea that Chevrolet has ever come up with. All around its a great car with more positives than negatives. Im sure that if I had bought this car brand new that it would have never broken... I got it used so I cant control how they treated it, but I treat my baby like I would a best friend. It treats me the same way and thats why I love it.

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  injector problems - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By problem child - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with the fuel injectors on this van...i think it is a production problem with this!!!!!

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  Pretty good as minivans go - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By jht - April 16 - 2:00 am

  We replaced an Olds Bravada with this Venture, so the bar was set a little high for features. So far its a very comfortable ride, easy to drive, with one minor problem to date (a left headlight that holds moisture) thats being addressed as I write this. Storage is excellent overall, especially in the vans rear. I miss OnStar, but it wasnt available on this trim level. Mine is the 7-seat version with leather and captains chairs.

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  Needs Some Improvement - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By JLW - April 16 - 12:56 am

  I have owned this vehicle for almost 3 years and 85K miles. Overall, I been pleased so far. I like the ride and the stylish exterior. Things I dont like: I have had the radio/CD player replaced 6 times, sometimes I have problems with it starting (its never actually not started just a little hesitant), silver interior on doors and around radio chipping off, awkward placement of cupholders, gas mileage not what I was expecting, small gas tank, and placement of window controls. Ive decided to keep and see how long it will lasts since its almost paid for. Overall, a good car for the money, but could definitely use some improvement.

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  Issue after issue - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By waschevguy - April 15 - 11:31 am

  I have to many issues. @ 40,000 miles went through a set of lower ball joints, 45,000 ran out of oil, 55,000 lost a bearing in the font end. GM made me pay $100 for the ball joints. GM replaced deflector plate to prevent from running oil, GM replaced the bearing. I have stock wheel and tires nothing special. Now have 80000 and going through oil again, the passenger window does not go down. The dealer put on a oil consumption plan and last time over 900 miles it went through 2 quarts. Im thinking about calling GM, does any one have any suggestions or ideas. My truck is almost paid off and I dont really want to start over.

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  Arizona review of Malibu Maxx - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Frank S. - April 15 - 10:00 am

  No problems to report, no quality issues. Finding the V6 has plenty of power. Ride and handling are great for a car in this price range.