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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  Dont buy an Impala! - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By NeverbyeaChevy - November 14 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst car I have ever owned. Nonstop problems I dont care if it has warranty or not. Major electrical problems, rear defroster does not work. Have to unplug the radio fuse and plug it back in to have it work. Lights dim while driving. Power Steering problems, heat problems front suspension problems. Even the gas cap does not work. I will never buy another GM product and tell everyone I can about it!

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  Clunking noise in the front - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Corinna - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my car to a Chevy dealership twice for this noise. The first time a sway bar link was replaced in the back. Still had the clunking noise, sounded like it was bottoming out. Went back a second time because it was in the front now and was told it was the bump stops doing there job. Still making noise but had a trusted technician ride with me to listen to it. He did figure it out. Cant believe it was only a small stone that got wedged in the front spring. No more clunking noise!

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  Hate this car - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By jason - November 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car a month ago and I have already had to get rid of it, this car is horrible! The paint is already chipping, the cars performance is lacking, and I did not know when I bought how difficult it was when it came to blind spots. Took the car 3 times to the dealer for mechanical and paint problems and every time I got told there was nothing they could do. For the price of this car it should be top quality, I will never buy another GM product again, traded in and got a Challenger never been happier!

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  Need big pocket book 2 keep it going - 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
  By kevin - November 13 - 2:00 am

  GM messed this one up, needs repairs on everything, very noisy cabin, would not ever buy this model again.

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  Reliable and Sporty - 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Z24 - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving this car for about 6 years and it has been pretty reliable overall. It has over 100,000 miles and still runs well. Some repairs needed include replacing the front wheel bearings, replacing the part that holds the muffler, and replacing the serpentine belt several times. At one time, the check engine light went on and the dealer said it needed new oxygen sensors. I did not get them replaced and it still runs fine and no longer has a check engine light on. There is some rust developing on certain parts, especially the side panel under the gasoline door. This car is easy and comfortable to drive. It is fast enough when you need it and still gets good mileage.

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  Was ok at first - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
  By Thomas - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle purchased in California, where it did not rain very much at all. Moved to Virginia, when the rain came, the rain leaked through. So much got through the carpet had to be pulled out due to mildew. Mechanically (engine and Transmission) the van is still strong. However, the other (ABS system, sensors, brakes, wheel hubs) have all been an issue. Hub bearings and ABS sensors replaced, ABS light still comes on. Engine sensors can be a bit hectic to decipher and replace. When the van works it works well. However, that has not seemed to be the norm. The leak mentioned, has not been able to be figured out or fixed, the windshield has been resealed with polyurethane to no avail.

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  Poor quality - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By gail - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 2006 Equinox new and have had numerous problems, such as the two visor makeup mirrors breaking off - only used several times by adults. The battery is hidden so well that I couldnt find it! Now the heater and ac doesnt work.Cost to repair a defect in a flapper is around $1000.I need the defroster for my long commute, so I guess I dont have a car for the winter. Huge front side pillars make driving in parking lots dangerous - almost ran over a pedestrian! Seats are uncomfortable, and the rear door is stiff and needs two hands to close. The CD player is picky about what it will play. Very disappointed in this car-cheap materials, overpriced vehicle.

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  Head gasket problem? - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By LD - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought one owner 56 K miles one owner, Rides drives great. Power 3500 V6 is well matched to car.MPG great in town 20s highway 29 and up. Runs quietly handles well tire wear good so far.Long trips do well. Over all like very well.Past car 3800 V6 Olds little more power.Should used it not the 3500 V6.Its a proven engine,Now 58K miles head gasket seems to be seeping antifreeze. does this problem have a history ? May need a new head & gasket !And rear elec door activator needs replaced already.$300 WOW $$ Hope have not got a bad car I do like it well.Had hoped it would be last car I needed im 72 years old now.Thinking should run over 120 K miles for me . I pray it will.

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  Very pleased - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By laxcoach81 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Just completed a 3000 mile road trip from the Midwest to the northeast. Fun to drive, very comfortable (Im 63", 300 lbs) even for someone my size. No issues to this point, other than my wife wants the convertible when it comes out next spring. I was never a GM person, but they won me over with the camaro

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  What a piece of junk! - 1992 Chevrolet Beretta
  By moppymop - November 11 - 2:00 am

  Where do I start...horrible ergonomics (GM couldnt even be bothered to make the drivers seat line up with the steering wheel), sub-Happy Meal-quality interior trim, interior and exterior parts fell off at random, crappy 3 speed auto sucked out every last iota of performance the 3100 V6 had in it (which wasnt much to begin with), leaked water in the rain, transmission was toast at 70K miles. Unless someone is paying you to take one of these cars, you dont want one.