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:

• 

  Good for a first car - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Krista - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I am 16 and my parents bought me my cavalier. It had 115,000 miles on it when I bought it! It is a 96! Despite the high miles, it has been nothing but reliable. Being a teenage girl and not knowing a lot about cars I need a car I can depend on. I can depend on this car.

• 

  High Cost of Ownership - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Dissappointed - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I previously had a Suburban - which was almost zero trouble. The 1998 Tahoe by comparison has cost me almost $4,000 in various repairs. Brakes, AC Compressor, water pump and cooling system, computer & electronics. All was out of warranty when it happened. If you purchase a 1998 Tahoe, invest in an extended warranty. It may be well worth your money.

• 

  No attention to detail - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By Jkurth - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Attention to detail has been sadly overlooked. I have had nothing but trouble with the elictrical system of this vehicle. I found the problems to be caused by the rear tail light assembly(s). They were not put together correctly at the factory and leaked water. Worse yet, I have had it in the Chevy dealer(s) multiple times for electrical problems. Each time I brought it in, they would charge me for repairs of the various electrical subsystems, but the problems would keep coming back. I found out the break lights were causing the problem getting a warning ticket. I took the breaks apart and found water and corrosion damage!

• 

  So many problems.... - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By briq4 - May 31 - 2:00 am

  Leaking power steering hose alternator went squeaking sway bar bushings water leaks brakes last about 10K Squeaky brakes Alignment problems Tires wore prematurely Body Panel Alighnment fit and finish is sub par

• 

  TAHOE -STABILITY - 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By GUMMI BEAR - May 30 - 2:00 am

  ON ROUGH ROADS THE TAHOE IS HORRID. I SUSPECT THE DESIGN IS POOR AS ON ANY ROAD WHERE ONE FINDS ROUGH ROADS THE CAR LOOSES ITS ABILITY TO STEER PROPERLY. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING AND AM CONVINCED THAT THE TAHOE IS A BAD DESIGN.IT IS A SCARY THING TO DRIVE ON BAD ROADS

• 

  Would be a good car if it was reliable.. - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tqm3 - May 27 - 2:00 am

  When the car is not in the shop it runs well and is fun to drive. Have had warped rotors replaced (after having them turned several times), a noisey vacuum booster replaced, lower control arm bushings replaced, 2 AC controls replaced, coolent leak repaired and the latest, a new alternator. Over half the oil changes on this car have been done by the dealer because it was in the shop for repairs. This will be probably be the last American made car Ill buy. My other vechicle, a Toyota 4x4 has 60,000 miles and has had no problems.

• 

  Chevrolet is a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jromerules - May 23 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing nut a headache. Since 11/98 it has had three brake jobs, AC worked on 4 times, power seat repaired, stereo replaced, cassette deck replaced twice, three batteries, alternator replaced, water pump replaced and power window repaired. AC has gone out again. GM does not care. Thank God we bought the extended warranty or we would have to pay more than our deductible every time. Stay away from Chevrolet!!!!!!

• 

  Problems ahead - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By mrh - May 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle 2 years ago and have had nothing, but problems. So has everyone else that Ive met. I only have 57,000 miles on it too. Ive had to replace the mass air flow sensor, the oil cooling lines, the transmission seal, rotor and brakes at 35,000 miles, there is water on the floor coming from somewhere, and the climate controls wont blow on the floor anymore. Being as tall as I am it isnt very comfortable to travel in.

• 

  Not Too Excited Over This One - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By DC - May 15 - 6:23 am

  Poor design for console cup holders. Cheap design to hold headliner up around sunroof. Owned this vehicle since March 11th and already having issues. More money needs to be spent on better materials for interior and less on computerized options that arent used very frequently.

• 

  Astro-nomical costs - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By Astroslug - May 15 - 2:00 am

  I guess I would say that the Astro is fairly solid IF you get one with a generous extended factory warranty. Reliability "issues": --> replaced front pads at 20K --> had TWO experiences (one inside and one outside of standard factory warranty period) with "bad ignition" wires (>$450 each) --> transmission went to mush around 35K miles (fortunately just barely within warranty period).