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:

• 

  I love my Blazer but... - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Michelle - October 18 - 12:11 pm

  I bought my truck in Novemember 2001 upgrading from a Cavalier. The truck does great in the snow in MD without being 4WD. I have never had a major problem with it other then the handles on the both seats broke until now. It is paid for and everything has gone wrong with it. ABS brake light wont go out even after numerous trips to the shop, service engine light comes on all the time, I have no heat or A/C. Shop cant figure it out. Occasionally over heats, blower motor went up, ball joints have been replaced 2 times now, transmission starting to fail at 120,000 miles. I love my truck. Handles great but it may be cheaper to go buy a Tahoe!

• 

  Standard, plain vanilla work truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Dan R. - October 18 - 11:56 am

  Only options were automatic trans., HD suspension (Z85) and larger tires. 4.3 liter V6 and 3.42 axle were adequate almost all the time. Occasionally towed a 2,000 ATV trailer and it did well, but I would say the 3.73 axle would have been better with the six. Got as much as 21 mpg on hwy. Very bright headlights, comfortable ride. Dash looks cheap and flimsy, with painted plastic surfaces everywhere. Problems I had in 2 years were ABS module failure, AC compressor failure, and steering intermediate shaft clunk (common problem!), all repaired under warranty.

• 

  Nice Ride - 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By Robert - October 18 - 6:26 am

  I now have 67000 miles on my Silverado and I still love it. The LBZ Duramax has never had a wrench on it and the Allison transmission is bulletproof. I regularly tow 10K lb. loads with it and it get 12-13mpg at 80mph through the North Carolina foothills. The ride is exceptionally smooth when compared to my two previous SuperDuty trucks. I got 26mpg on an unloaded trip over three different tanks of fuel averaging 60mph. Great quality. Great resell value. I would definitely consider buying another when the time comes...

• 

  Great Value - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Cavalier9 - October 17 - 5:55 pm

  Bought my Cavalier in 4/04. It is fully loaded with a 5 speed (a must have). Had a $4,000 rebate from GM when it was purchased. Got it for around $14,500 brand new! Have almost 100,000 miles on it. I have a long commute everday to work, and this car has taken it in stride. The only things I have had to replace on this car was a idle control sensor (within the first month after I bought the vehicle), front brake pads (just once), and I just bought my third set of tires. Thats all--I have not even had the rotors turned on this car--I cant believe it. Does suprisingly well in the snow. If you are looking for a great/affordable car--this should without a doubt be your choice.

• 

  Theyre giving them away! - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Big Bob - October 15 - 11:02 pm

  Got out of a Toyota Tundra. Loved it, looking for 5+ seating. My new LTZ is all the truck Ill need. Stuck with a truck/SUV because of the family boat. Cannot believe I paid $17,000 less than MSRP - could not find a better deal for same amount of truck anywhere. If you are in the market, you have 100% leverage and can buy a Tahoe for less than ever now.

• 

  Coballt SS/SC - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By SharpMan - October 15 - 9:40 am

  Looks great, fun to drive, good gas mileage. Build quality acceptable for price range of vehicle.

• 

  Happy to have one! - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Joey V - October 13 - 8:06 pm

  I once had a Ford Escort but that was a while ago. I drive 48 miles 1 way to work, and drive on the coast of Califonia. Speed limit 65. I work early so no one on the road and I drive 60 mph. Nice ride to and from work, getting 38 mpg. It will be my 14yr old daughters in 2 yrs and she loves it. Big change from my Suzuki XL-7 which my college son drives now.

• 

  Satisfied after reading your problems - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By satisfied - October 13 - 12:18 am

  I bought mine used to tow a loaded car hauler all over the country. I have driven it places I won`t take my big 4x4. It now has 240000 miles and still going. Regular maintenance on schedule. Never had any major problems untill this year. Radiator, water pump ,and fan all decided to commit suicide within a two month period. The mechanic that replaced everything was amazed at the condition under the circumstance of the heavy duty usuage. Everything was factory except alt., batt., brakes,the usual maintenance parts. One rear axle is going bad and I will be replacing it this week. I have driven this through creeks with water up to the doors and up and down mountains fully loaded. I won`t have anything else.

• 

  A very good American Car - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Mike - October 12 - 11:50 pm

  I have had my Cobalt Coupe for a month now, and I am most impressed by the fuel economy and build quality. I am getting over 30 MPG in combined highway/city driving with the automatic. This car is assembled just as tight as a Honda or Toyota. I looked at the Corolla first, but the Chevy had more features, looked better, and was a couple of grand cheaper. I am not an import hater, as I have owned both Japanese and Korean imports in the past. GM has produced a first-rate car here at a very good price. This car is not like a Cavalier at all, it is well-built, gets good mileage, and is comfortable.

• 

  Excellent product - 2001 Chevrolet Express
  By LJRacing91 - October 12 - 10:01 pm

  I purchased this van from the original owner in May of 08 at 105k miles. Have put almost 40k miles on it since that time, as I drive hotshot. It has never left me hanging, and aside from the chronic taillight problem, valve guide seals, and an alternator, its been problem free. It hauls 3000lbs of payload easily, and has the ability to haul 3 full size pallets (12 total!). The seats are excellent for long trips, as I go out of town/state regularly. Would definitely recommend this van for work of any kind. An excellent hauler with plenty of power, and a stable ride, even with 3000lbs in the back. It doesnt drift or float. Keep it maintained and it will go forever.