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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  Be careful - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By noone - June 10 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought the 2000 WB Venture after downsizing from a Chevy Astro. The only reason for getting rid of the Astro was convience of taking sleeping kids out of car seats in the back. Although we love the dual doors, and power driver side door (when it worked), we found ourselves quite frequently back at the dealership for the power sliding door. When the door didnt work, it would open manually either... Make sure you check that van has had the recalls done. I just traded my Venture for An AWD Astro 2002....Good By Venture....

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  Poor long term performance - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Roxbyrose - June 10 - 2:00 am

  The Chevy Blazer is a staple of the SUV industry whose body style has not changed for a number of years I have figured out why. Chevy does not want the consumer to know the number of old (7+ years) Blazers still remain on the road in running condition. I have had consistant problems with the A/C, radiator and oil system. The oil lines leak requiring replacement every 2 years ($1200 expense). The engine light comes on like a movie theater marque. My average oil change costs at least $150. If someone must have a Blazer, my suggestion is to LEASE it. Do not buy this vehicle. In the long run, the cost to own it out weighs the value of the vehicle.

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  XTREME TRUCKIN WAY TO GO! - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By MFMISFITS - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I am like any 20 year old kid. I want something that has the look and also responds when you step on the gas. I needed something that could get out of its own way. This was the truck I wanted. i just didnt want the 4 door. (not cool to have a 4 door at 20) So when the xtreme came out i was thrilled. I saved up as much money as i could and bought one. It is the best investment that i have made so far.

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  My Tahoe - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By dgf - June 10 - 2:00 am

  My Tahoe came with a set of wind detectors.They are located in the rear wheel wells.You would think the dealer would want to fix this.

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  CHECK ENGINE-HAS THE SHAKES-ONSTAR OUT TWICE-STARTING ISSUES-AIRLEAKS IN WINDOWS-YOU NAME IT.... - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By twh_lover - June 9 - 11:57 pm

  Leased 14 Chevy 1500 LTZ w/intent 2 purchase. It shakes/vibrates in floor/seats/pedals/wheel between 45mph & 80mph+.The shaking is bad enough that u SEE the seats shake & it may get bad enough@times that it makes it difficult 2 read the mileage#s on the dash.Been to 2 chevy dealers & 1 GM dealer too many times to count.Filed case w/GM approx.1mo.ago.Dealer states all is perfect but cant fix the vibr & waiting 2 hear what GM will do.Not much faith w/service so far.Loaner trk was 14 Chev-same truck w/30 mi.It shakes worse than mine!Check engine light comes on multiple xs daily & code reads-a manifold pressure issue.Have yet 2 address this new issue.Im tired/angry&no resolution in the year.

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  09 Tahoe - 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
  By John - June 9 - 3:33 pm

  Traded my 06 GMC Yukon 4WD for the new Chevy Hybrid. Now getting 20+ around town instead of 12, I think that is great. It is also easier to get in and out of than the Yukon was. So far this unit has made me a happy camper, I only hope General Motors makes it through the rough times! Need that warranty! JLH

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  Solid Car - 1995 Chevrolet Camaro
  By airmac - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Just sold my 95 Z28. It was a pretty solid car. The only maintenance I had with it was replacing the high pressure line from the power steering. Fun to drive and its got nads. The ride is a little bumpier than I would like, but the acceleration and handling make it worth the money. Get decent gas mileage if youre not gassing it all the time. Gonna miss my baby.

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  GM employees dont care about quality. - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Adam123 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  From the designers and engineers to the management, sales and marketing people, and the people building the Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade, Yukon and Denali, its clear that GM is "Like a Crock." These reviews are limited to 700 words, so I cant explain all the faults. Suffice it to say, Ive had enough trouble to invoke the lemon law only to find my truck was "average."

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  MAIN FUEL LINE LEAKING - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By robin arrants - June 9 - 12:45 am

  I have not had any problems with my 2013 Cruze untill I noticed a gas ordor. Thinking I had stepped in gas at the pump I over looked it. Untill I got out of my car the next day and still smelled the odor of gas. Upon looking under the hood I saw the problem, my main fuel line had a leak. Well know that I could no longer drive the car I called GM about the warranty. Did I mention that this just happened on a Saturday afternoon in my yard. I called GM on Monday morning and yes it was under warranty they would have road side assistance come get it. After being put on hold and then the customer service person told me that I would have to have a fire truck be there when they arrived and escort them to the dealership. Mind you I live in a rural area that would require a fir truck from the county I live in then another one for the county it was going in. Yes there would be a cost involved. They laughed when I told them what I was told. So I them took matters into my own hands. I called a local wrecker company he said that he would get it on a roll back and charge me $75.00. So I called the local dealership to make sure that they would not have a problem with that. Did not want to void the warranty in any way. They told me it would be ok as long as I knew the libalities involved. My car was delivered on Monday they part was ordered and I picked up my car on Friday afternoon. The dealership was great had nor problem. But I am out of $75.00 and I do not want to go through the hassle of trying to get my monry back.

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  Nice Ride X - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Xavier - June 8 - 10:16 pm

  I bought this car because I needed a bigger car than the Mirage I had prior. The HHR is soo much fun to drive and soo quiet that unless youre using cruise control you could get into trouble. The whole retro look puts the PT Cruiser to shame and is much roomier. The MPG are still low but I hope they will eventually rise to the occasion after the break in period. Overall great car for either the single party animal or a family. If youre looking for a quiet ride and lots of room then the HHR is the way to go.