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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  This Chevy is too heavy - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Gerrit Christopher V - August 19 - 2:00 am

  This truck was an exciting new purchase that has turned into nothing but problmems. It is 7 years old and was bought new and has been babied to 49k miles. The door bottoms are rusted out after being garaged and waxed every month. Paint, what paint. I would almost be better off with bare metal. The wind and interior noise is attrotious at best. You have a sore throat after a highway conversation and the build quality of the interior and exterion is severly lacking with fabric tears, blow fuses and electrical problems every year. Id have to say this car is a lemon. Just like every other Blazer on the roads. Buy a CRV or a Mseries benz. Do yourself a favor!!!

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  Transmission Problems - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By jpwood - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I loved this vehicle until the transmission failed twice in 60,000 miles. The first time, it was covered by warranty. The second time it wasnt. According to the mechanics that worked on it, GM made a cheaper gear by welding it rather than machining it. Well it doesnt last. This will be the last GM product I ever buy brand new!!

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  blazer - 1993 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jim kuhn - August 17 - 2:00 am

  Has performed well in mixed use by various drivers in the family Getting older and its time for a change in the type of vehicle needed. Has done well in bad weather in four wheel drive. AC system works well. No trouble with transmission during life of vehicle. Some body work has been performed and colors not the best match

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  Transmission - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dougclark - August 16 - 10:10 am

  I have a V6 that always wants to slip our of gear or bind after driving hwy speeds then slowing to 15-20 MPH then accerating again, the trans will slip then after thr RPMs raise up it will slam into gear. GM and the Dealer says that is normal for this vehicle. If anyone can help I would appreciate it. dwclark@datamaxx.com

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  Falling pieces - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By daveboy - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Although we liked the space and the smooth ride (for an SUV), the lack of quality on the interior was very frustrating. Rattles and pieces falling off throughout the vehicle resulted in multiple trips to the GM dealer. Gas mileage was another issue.....but we knew that when we bought an SUV. After 9 months and 10000 miles we traded in for a car that wouldnt end up at the dealer more than at our house.....a Toyota Camry.

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  Ive tried to love it, BUT - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Sad in San Fran - August 13 - 2:00 am

  Like another reviewer, I really want to love this car, and I have. The size is perfect inside (plenty big enough) and out (not an SUV monstrosity) it handles well and is generally a pleasure to drive. BUT - just had to replace the alternator and tensioner belt, and the bladder for the power brakes, all separate events two weeks after my extended warranty expired. Sad to say, I got my moneys worth on the ext warrty too - ABS replacement at 40K numerous brake issues and recalls have never been happy with the braking on this car. At this point, I am getting rid of this poorly made vehicle as soon as I have time to buy somethng - no more chevys for me!

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  Low Mileage Transmission Failure - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Janet - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased my 99 Chevy Venture after much research on the internet and after test driving many different manufacturers minivans. I have been very happy with this vehicle until my transmission abruptly broke. The vehicle only had 40,000 miles and I was advised that this was one of the top of the line transmissions built to last at least 100,000. The only findings were "mechanical breakdown". The repair shop advised that this was probably due to faulty workmanship when the car was put together.

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  GM down the tubes - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By lemon buyer - August 11 - 10:00 am

  My 2001 Chevy HD started the notorious engine knock at 7,000mi. With just over 13000 mi. on it now,the transmission went out.I now know why I avoided chevy pickups for years. They may look nice,but they are junk,and GM wont back them.

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  A/C Problems - 2000 Chevrolet Metro
  By rgolf1960 - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Love the gas mileage (40mpg) but have had in the shop (4) times for A/C work in (2) yrs. Otherwise great work car.

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  Like A Rock...NOT - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Frattelli - August 8 - 2:00 am

  2 transmissions, #1 at 22K #2 at 34K, manifold gasket, brakes x 5, radiator, water pump x 2, tailight housings burned up, electric doors, continual AC problems, front end shimmys since day one, leather driver seat worn-out @ 20K miles, shocks, springs its hemoraging coolant as I type this. $5,000.00 out of pocket since 36K now has 70K miles...do the math. This vehicle was $40K so, when I hear about lay-offs at GM or how the Japanese manufactuers are kicking our butts, I just shrug anymore. "Like a rock" my a$$ !