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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  Vibration between 58-60 MPH - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By MikeS - October 25 - 2:00 am

  As described in Liz and NewOwners comments regarding the vibration around 60 mph, I have the exact same problem and have brought this problem to the attention of the selling dealership more than a few times. Although the service department was extremely friendly and sympathetic, diagnostics could not reveal the source of the problem nor any solution from GMC that would correct the problem. They mentioned that the problem could be anything from the engine to the transfer casing. The dealership said that GMC was aware of this problem and may be able to correct it via reprogramming of the vehicles computer. If I hear of any correction, Ill post here again.

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  Overall, a good choice - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By sofa spud - October 24 - 12:28 pm

  Bought an 06 LT FWD with 12k miles and drove it for 16 months to 44k miles. Minor complaints: huge turning radius, noisy wipers and poor center console design. Lost traction in the snow and blew a head gasket getting unstuck. Covered by warranty and no other problems. Very comfortable and roomy for a small SUV. Average economy 23 mpg. Would still own it if gas prices hadnt gone so high in the spring of 2008 (I have a long commute and replaced it with a more economical vehicle).

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  2001 Chevy 2500HD - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Dave in Michigan - October 24 - 8:46 am

  Purchased at 30k miles, now 52k, no mechanical problems at all, runs great. Factory Firestone tires were terrible for ride and traction, switched to 265 BFG All Terrains, huge improvement. I like everything but the gas mileage. I get about 11.5 mpg.

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  Still Tryin - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Vette Crazy - October 22 - 5:50 pm

  This is my 4th Corvette (93, 99, 02, 04). I dont know why I keep trying. Ive loved Vettes since I was a kid and keep hoping someday Ill find one that doesnt have problems. This one has had problems with transmission (hard shifts), broken stabilizer links and brakes squealing for 2 years. Dealer said brake squeal is normal after their 4th attempt to fix. All 3 C5s were convertibles and all leaked around the windows when driving in the rain. All of my Vettes averaged about 3 visits to the dealer per year for repairs not counting normal maintenance, with each visit being at least 2 days. You would think I drive them hard, but Ive been told I drive like a little old granny. So thats not it.

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  Lumina Euro - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Eric - October 22 - 4:13 pm

  I had a lot of fun with my 1993 Chevrolet Lumina Euro. I put it through hell for the year and a half that I had it. It had already had 167,000+ on it when I got it and I drove it until the head gasket blew at 177,000+. It was definitely worth the 600 I paid for it. It was a great buy

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  Poor Workmanship - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Tyson - October 22 - 3:09 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with my van since purchasing. It has had the steering shaft replaced, and the redundant controls on the steering wheel replaced. The power sliding doors are the biggest joke. They have had the entire motor and clutch assemblies replaced 5 or 6 times and also had to be realigned 5 or 6 times. This vehicle has been a real pile of junk. Whats worse is that this is the 5th GM vehicle that I have owned. I never had problems with any of the others, and GM does not care that I am having problems now. They are simply content to keep patching the mechanical door failure and not actually fix the problem. Whatever it is. I promise this the last GM vehicle for me.

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  My Chevy - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mstexas - October 21 - 5:13 pm

  Ive had my Trailblazer about a year. I bought it slightly used. Overall it has been good. Ive had a problem with the rack and pinon steering ($1000 repair) and the power door locks failing to lock the rear glass using the key fob. I feel very safe and secure as I drive and there is no wind noise. Overall, a good purchase

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  Love My Avalanche - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By txsixguns - October 21 - 2:42 am

  I love My 07 Avalanche. Great truck. Rides like a Cadillac, hauls and tows like a truck. Great camping vehicle. Great to have lockable bed. My only complaint is rear seats are not comfortable on back for a long car trip. Been back to the dealer for replacing interior door handle and 2 computer updates. Gets much better gas mileage on reg gas vs e85. Dont recommend e85. Runs sluggish and get 11-12 mpg vs 17-23.

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  Not Your fat, bald man driver - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Martha in Plantation - October 19 - 12:40 am

  I am a 5 ft 7 natural blonde. I know people expect to see a mid-life crisis male when they pass me. I love the Vette, but the ride is nothing like my Cadillac SUV. My boyfriend drives a BMW convertible, and people always think he owns the Corvette and I own the BMW. The noise level on the highway with the Vette is bad. I wouldnt think of a long trip in it. I just had too much disposable income when I bought it, either that or my mid-life crisis set in! I love the Corvette "wave" from other owners! Everyone should own one Vette in their life!

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  Fast - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jrm1493 - October 18 - 2:15 pm

  Great car, In college my roomate and I built a 91 GTA trans am and I always wanted another F-body. Found this one on a used car lot. The interior is pretty craptastic and there are some squeaks and rattles, but the car is extremely fast, it is well known that the 310hp factory rating was grossly low to make sure the Vette was the king of the GM hill. My car has long tube headers and other bolt ons, probably good for around 325 rwhp (havent dynoed yet). Engine and tranny feel rock solid. My car does have a modified suspension and low profile tires so the ride is harsh but the seats are quite comfortable which help.