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 to bad - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By huff_daddy456 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Got a 1997 in April of 2001. I found one with only 30K and got a decent aftermarket warranty.(7 years or 100K miles bumper to bumper) Thank god I paid the extra money for this warrenty because in the past year its only fun me about $200 to get over $4000 of work done. The intire front electronics system went out and I lost all my speed sensors, power everything, and the factory standard alttenator has gone out 3 times. Even though this stuff has happened I love this car. Because of the V6 and heavier car its a great ride and I have to drive 21 hours to visit family and believe me its been a life saver.

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  Should not have bought this. - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Hodor - October 2 - 7:43 am

  Should have gone with anyone but GM. Typical of the brand, speedometer doesnt work and no recall, service air bags notification on, needs third windshield, passenger door doesnt shut right, on third thermostat(non dealer this time), transmission slips but rarely, dealer tires didnt last any time at all. Little interior storage, glovebox doesnt hold much, will have to replace center seat with console storage. Good on gas mileage but V6 underpowered, computer wonky sometimes. Never been contacted about recall items.

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  CRAP! - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ScottyPBDenver - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I have had my s-10 blazer sport since 98 and all it has done was suck my checking account dry. It had problems even the dealer couldnt diagnose. It would overheat for no reason, stall for no reason - been through 3 fuel pumps, 2 alternators and something wrong with the ac that I could never afford to fix. Piece of crap - dealer wouldnt even give me more than $500 as a trade in value.

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  always in the shop - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Chris - September 27 - 9:23 pm

  I purchased this vehicle to tow a travel trailer which it did very well in the beginning. I dont have a lot of room so Im going to list the parts that have been replaced on my truck at 50,000 miles.Front Locking Hubs,Pressure Relief valve,Rear end,Complete Engine with turbo,Turbo,Front axle, I paid $38000 for this truck and am now over $13000 deep in repairs the warranty would not cover the engine they said I drove through to deep of water and it sucked it into the intake from the bottom,bad investment on my part I guess these 4x4s arent supposed to leave the pavement.

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  Not happy - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By BadMalibu - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought car used with 30K miles. Everything fine for the first 10K, then just fell apart. Nothing but problems - wheel bearing went, front end and motor was so loose the car would actually stall from the wires being pulled out when stopping or starting out. Ignition switch went and burned out starter at the same time. Way too many problems for a car with under 60K miles on it. Very noisy, feel every bump in the road.

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  2002 Chevy Trailblazer...WHAT A LEMON !! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Kenneth - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this truck NEW from Empire Chevrolet in Fall River, MA I have had nothing but problems with it ever since.... The dashboard has blanked out on me on several occasions, all the needles go dead, The gas guage reads empty when there is 1/4 of a tank in it. The radio fades out when the brakes are applied, The radio was replaced, now the CD player doesnt work. The red airbag dash warning lamp has been illuminated for days now. There has been a recall on the transfer case. Im still waiting for the radio and the gas gauge. What a piece of junk.... and the dealership is garbage also... GM assistance was of no use either. ..

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  no more g.m for me! - 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By nomoregm - September 17 - 10:00 am

  i only have had this pice of cr~p 5 weeks. first -jerky trans [computer problem]. second- trunk wont close. third-just quit running at 40 m.p.h. forth- all kinds of interior rattels.this car is built very cheap and flimzy. sound system stinks.i,m going back to ford fit and finish way above g.m with better quality materials ouality is job 1.

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  Why do I get stuck with the lemons - 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By teacake - September 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is already giving me problems

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  The worst vehicle I have ever owned - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By born2saw - September 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this loaded LT new (as a demo with 7000 miles on it) and had no realtrouble for the first 1 1/2 years (14,00 miles). Then look out. It has not gone longer than 12 weeks without being in the shop. Warranty repairs are over $2300.00. I have had trouble with: injectors, heater core (my carpet still smells like coolant), transmission cooler, cooling system, and electrical. This truck has only 32,000 miles on it, has never been off road or towed anything, and has done more damage to my garage floor than any vehicle I have ever owned (that includes a 1974 Vega!!) I am going to dump it at a loss if I cannot get Chevy to extend the warranty.

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  Solid But Bland - 1998 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Jim Of Oak Creek - September 16 - 2:00 am

  The Cheverolet Prism is really a Toyota Corolla. Both cars come off the same assembly line in the Toyota/GM Plant in California. My wife has been the major driver since we bought it in 1998. The car performs adequately, gets great gas milage, and is extremely reliable. We have never had a problem with the car. The styling on the Prism/Corolla is quite bland, both inside and out. I am tall, 65", and can drive the car fine but it is a bit constraining. Over all, a good solid relaible car a bit on the small side with bland syling.