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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  Absolute garbage - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By dan - February 8 - 1:16 pm

  The car was great for a week.Looks great, quick, handles well. Then it shut off going down the highway. All by itself. A crank shaft sensor blew with 300 miles on it. A month later, the steering system failed. Needed an entire steering system. (electric motor, steering column, and steering shaft) Then, with 7000 miles on it, it needed new control arms and ball joints. The cruise control also broke at 7000 miles. This is the worst new vehicle Ive ever owned, and I do not advise purchasing one. GM does not stand behind their products. Very disappointed. The Cobalt SS/SC is complete trash, or at least mine was. Needed over $6000 worth of repairs within 6 months.

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  could do better - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By candyman - February 4 - 10:00 am

  drives well on dry pavement.Cant believe how poorly it handles in snow.Wont let my wife drive it in snow since it has zero traction.5 recalls is dissapointing and having my brake lights burn out 3 times is inexcusable. Excellent on highway and lots of room inside.

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  I want my 2001 Back - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By jdgreen402 - February 3 - 6:43 am

  To say that I am very dissatisifed with my 2005 is an understatement. The Duramax is 1/3 more thirsty than my 2001. The Allison transmission has now started to intermittantly refuse to allow the engine to rev past 2000 RPM or it cuts itself out. The drivers side window is continuing to leak air. The air leak on the passenger side has us traveling with a blanket if the outside temps drop below 20 degrees. When I get the Allison to shift properly ... Im heading to my local Ford dealership!

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  They are hiding problems - 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Bill Ricigliano - February 2 - 8:13 pm

  The truck is okay but when it comes to giving it gas to fast there is a 7/10 second delay. Chevy knows about it but doing nothing about it. Do not buy a chevy right now due to this problem wait for the fix.

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  POS - 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By hi there - January 26 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but problems...spark plug wires, vaccuum hose, alternator...the list goes on. DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE!

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  GM should be ashamed - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By BrentH - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought car with 20k miles on it. Since then, I have put about 35k on it, and have had nothing but trouble. Things that broke: Alternator, A/C, recline handle, axle seals, transmission, power locks, windshield wiper switch. Probably missing some, but thats what I can remember. Vehicle drives well, has decent power, and is comforatable.

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  Equinox - SO - SO - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jumper - January 13 - 12:53 pm

  Had the car since Oct. 04. I hate the cloth interior - everything sticks to it, and its difficult to keep clean. I cant put the dog in it, since you cant easily clean dog hairs off. Theres noise at the drivers side window, in the dashboard, and in the steering column. Ive taken it to the dealership twice and they can never hear/find it. There are blind spots because the car has high backseat headrests. There are no "grab bars" in front to help older people get in. Im ready to trade it in!

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  gm statnard of cheapness - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By episciandy - January 10 - 10:00 am

  GM has gone back to the Vega days with inferior paint and parts in this lemon!

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  Must have been built on a holiday - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By cac4 - January 5 - 1:30 am

  I purchased this truck used with 17 k on it. In the 5 month I have had it it has been to the dlr 5 times and monday is #6. Trans leak,main seal,body molds,mpg,u-joints. It now only has 26k. I also am only getting 15 mpg. I love gm and must have just got a lemon.

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  Poorly built truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Sean 2003 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had this truck in the the shop 11 times. All for warranty issues. The service department has been excellant but the dealership has been awful to deal with.I suggest going to another company for a vechicle. Chevy hit there all time low on this one