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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  poor quality - 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Steve - June 5 - 9:56 am

  This is my 2nd car has been a nightmare since the 2nd month. (First car was an 88 chevy pick up still have it) Took delivery, about 2 months later the computer fried, fixed under warranty. I drive it like a grandma for another couple of months, then the brakes go at 9K miles. Bring it to get a punctured tire fixed, they tell me the that the rear tires are bald on the inside; this at under 20K miles. They tell me that the car must have been off alignment from the factory. When you are in a turn and hit a bump, the steering mechanism or a wheel feels like it is going to fall off. Will never buy Chevy or American EVER again. Traded the car in for a Subaru and have not looked back since.

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  Door Rattle - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Mark - June 3 - 2:06 pm

  I bought 2009 silverado ext cab doors rattle real bad as if doors are not closed.I am very disappointed in this truck last chevy for me.

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  I am never buying a chevy again - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By dyma82 - May 25 - 3:03 pm

  I had a Tundra before, so I got used to the Japanese fine finish. This truck interior is falling apart and it only has 5,000 miles. The 4x4 electronic switch is very unreliable. More often than not it doesn’t disengage the 4x4 even though it shows 2x2. Fuel efficiency is the worse. Visibility is horrible. Big hood for no reason at all, just to look tough. Engine lifters make a horrible sound 3 out of 5 times when starting the truck in the morning.

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  Dissatisfaction - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By NortonP - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Loved my truck until ~45000 miles. Apparently not built like a rock & dont love it anymore. First, replaced fuel pump & then when I went to get my first inspection sticker after the manufacturers one expired, it failed because of the rear parking brake shoes being worn. Living in Texas, I have never used the parking brake. Chevy customer service said that it was normal wear and tear & not a defect even though there is a bulletin on the problem. Chevys customer service is terrible so if buying a Chevy, better buy an extended warranty or have deep pockets. After the experience with Chevrolets customer service, will never buy another GM product.

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  great if you find a good one update part 2 - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Blewis - May 17 - 10:23 pm

  should have just got a motor for my old one this on good till the under hood fuse box gos bad then kills your battery yea that was fun for longer drives the seats dont have much foam could be worse not a fan of the oil burning 5.3 do some research mine will burn all its oil between changes a lot kind of freaky got a 97 with 350,000 miles it burns less oil cant beat that old 350

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  Not bad for a truck poor in quality - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By smokey - May 8 - 3:00 am

  Plastic, plastic, plastic. Have a quarter mile dirt drive not always in great shape. We try to drive over any bumps and lumps slow. Over $3000 worth of front end work needed just after the 3 year warranty ran out. Has needed two major tune ups both costing over $400 a pop. Has operated well in snow. Happy with 4 wheel. Pull a two place horse trailer seldomly. Even with the bigger engine, truck is a bit under powered for towing under its own ratings. Would not purchase again.

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  hindsight is 20/20 - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By chicagoan - May 6 - 10:00 am

  What a mistake buying this car was. Complete trans failure at 24k miles. Required a complete trans rebuild. Also had to have the entire steering column and both wheel hub assemblies replaced, drivers side window motor replaced twice as well. The airbag trim on the drivers seat does not fit and so badly that you can put four adult fingers between the trim and the leather. Even new, this car feels like it has 100,000 miles on it. It is big and safe but its also noisy, sluggish and every piece of plastic rattles. GM is five years behind in engineering and design. Look elsewhere folks, don’t repeat my mistake.

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  short changed - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By handfull1224 - May 6 - 10:00 am

  heater, wouldn t shut off for about amonth. service 4 wheel drive light comes on often, dealer checked it, said its ok, service brakes comes on, thats ok too. memory seats dont hold memory, heated seats dont come on right away, steering wheel knock developed. paint comming of radio knobs, and steering wheel controls, compass likes to point southwest, expensive piece of junk, lists $39,000. G.M., your done! as far as Im concerned.

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  vibration problems - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By rbw612 - May 1 - 3:14 am

  Getting a vibration a freeway speeds. Dont think its a balance problem as it comes and goes. I have not noticed it when driving up the mountain roads with cruse set at 75 mph, but it really starts to vibrate when going down hill or on the flat when the engine goes into the V-4 mode? I have read many complaints from others having the same problem. Has anyone considered it could be the fuel management system causing this problem? If it was a tire issue or drive shaft problem it would vibrate all the time at highway speeds. Mine only does it when its in the V-4 mode? Anyone else notice this problem only vibrates in the V-4 mode?

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  nothin but trouble - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By ashamed - April 27 - 2:00 am

  first set of wires went at about 30k, replaced under warrenty. second set at about 80k. Alternator died at 84,000 miles, water pump and thermostat replaced at 105,000. after tranny went at 110,000 miles I figured I just about rebuild the darn thing and should get a few years of trouble free use, WRONG. Im on my third thermostat, set of wires, battery, water pump, tires, and the head gasket is shot. Ill never buy another chevy!!