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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  2004 Z-71 Crew Cab - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By nomorechevy - April 25 - 3:53 pm

  Have had the truck at the dealership for a total of 15 days. We are on the 3rd steering shaft; it drives like a golf cart. Makes a popping noise when turning but only if its over 70 degrees outside. Steering wheel squeaks when the turn signal is on.

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  At first I loved it, until the problems started - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By PamR - April 22 - 1:27 am

  I got this car brand new in January 2014 and I still have it now but am getting rid of it. It only has 24,000 miles on it and its January of 2018. I loved this car in the beginning it was zippy and fun to drive. First my car warned me about having a cracked axle. Took it to dealer and they fixed the recall. The batter was very weak and car had no power so I checked the battery and it was way too small for car. One day on a rainy day my window wouldnt roll up, but they fixed it. Then my car was burning gas at about 4 times the normal rate. I mean really fast then while driving my car completely stopped cars were coming at me and I was scared not knowing what was going on. It was weird it had gas, it didnt start, the battery was fine, seemed like nothing, had it towed home, then to Chevy the next day and they said "contaminated gas" well according to my fuel burning and I park in the garage it was not contaminated it was a faulty fuel pump. They replaced it but was going to charge me over 1000.00 since I was 2 weeks past my 3 year warranty. Made some calls and luckily they did it for free. One day I noticed I had a huge bubble on the side wall of my tire so I took the car in to get a new tire and he told me the 2 front tires look super old and had been sitting in the sun for a very long time. He showed me the whole side wall was cracked all the way around the outside of the tire and said he was surprised they lasted this long. So I replaced them the back two were good. Then I got a letter saying the steering might lock up while driving and I will lose control, thank God it didnt happen. All in all I loved this car but all these breakdowns make me feel very unsafe in it. Its too much hassle a new car should come new and working. I wont buy this again

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  Best/Worse truck Ive ever owned - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Howard - April 7 - 12:40 am

  This truck is hard to rate, I have the new body style 2500HD long bed standard cab with the 4x4. When I first bought it, it was amazing to drive. I installed a Magnaflow exhaust and it sounds soooooo good. Then about 3000 miles down the line, things just started falling apart, after the bumper to bumper ended. Fuses and electrical went out on me all the time. The headlamp connectors melted. The gears kept grinding from 3rd to 4th. I had to replace the alternator and pulleys twice. The headlights dim on all models when you hit the brake. Its just falling apart. Its a fast truck and amazing to hear but its not worth the maintenance. Im buying an F-150 next week.

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  Honest - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Jerry - April 5 - 8:16 am

  I have always liked the driving and handling.

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  My Car - 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By John Smyth - April 2 - 11:26 am

  Seats arent very comfortable. No center armrest. Its very strange driving a vehicle with no center armrest, and no power mirrors or windows. Power windows should be standard, its a real pain in the neck and also dangerous trying to adjust the mirrors.

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  No Complaints - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Zippy - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I owned a Ford Mustang... I was going to drive it until I got more money but it crapped out on me. So I got a deal and half through the company I work for, dealers invoice with a 1500 dollar rebate for the Malibu. I used to own Avengers and Camaros and Mustangs, ALL can handle "hard" driving... the Malibu really cant. If you drive hard, like take corners to quick and jump off the line... then by pass this value... I have replaced two tires and all four rotars and brake pads... I am currently at 18,800 miles. IF you are a conservative driver, then this is DEFINATELY the car for you... Over all NOT a bad car at all, just dont drive it hard.

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  Disappointed Monte Carlo owner - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Russell Roebuck - March 16 - 12:40 pm

  I have never spent so much money on repairs in my life! First intake manifold, then Ttransmission problems, next catlaytic converter, next BCM, next thermostat which cost $290 plus tax also oil change every 3000 miles. Radiator and cooling system flushed, Driver side power window unit needs replaced. Seat belt doesnt retract on drivers side. Only a little over 80,000 miles and mostly highway driving. What a lemon piece of junk car and Ill never buy another one. I hate to say but Ive owned Nissans for about 20 years before this car and never had any repair bills.

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  Equinox - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Lee DeArmond - March 13 - 3:36 am

  First I am an 84 year old man--The car is fun to drive. My 16 yr old grandson gets credit for the selection but his choice was excellent. It is used mostly around town and only short trips. For older people wanting to scale down it would be hard to beat.

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  Brake Woes and other defects - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lisa - March 6 - 4:16 am

  First week problems with the brakes, noisy, spongy. Dealership didnt take the wheels off to look. 3 trips later finally heard the noise, next trip replaced the drums. Wheel alignment out on all 4 wheels. After fixing still pulls to the left. Found out there was a recall on brakes and a transmission problem. Was told to bring it in to fix the trans problem and they would look at the alignment again. When the trans problem was fixed - asked about the alignment. Was told we were making things up and escorted out of the building. Contacted gm in Detroit who sound interested but dont hold out much hope they will do anything. Wont buy another gm product again.

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  Not a Bad buy when theres a good rebate - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Rebate - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Unrefined. Bought for good price. Backseat comfort poor