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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  AVOID IF ALL ELSE POSSIBLE - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By roger721 - April 1 - 9:48 am

  I purchased my 1998 Chevy Blazer LS as a lease return fall of 1999 to replace my trusty 1986 Chevy Caprice sedan w 240K (bought in 1988 W/12K) and a unbelievable reliable 70 Impala before that since 1972! Week after at the the Blazer purchase, I smelled burning oil and checked underneath and oil was dripping everywhere. Bad oil sending unit, replaced at dealer with deductible I had to pay. Within 2 weeks later oil leak again, this time oil cooler lines. 4 months later, gear selector,odometer lights go out and then wheel bearing. Last straw, going through car wash, windshield started pouring in water. Cut my losses,got rid of it. Bought a Honda CRV w/20k and 120K later not 1 problem!

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  Too many problems for the price! - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By samanthardh - March 24 - 9:01 pm

  I bought my car new in January 2008, and have had NUMEROUS problems. The motor to the rear windshield wipers went out just after the full warranty ran out (about 38000 miles). The check engine light has been on from about 50000 miles, with no explanation and no way to correct it. The alternator went out after about 60000 miles. GM paid for that, after some complaining. The battery has died several times, after having radio on for about 15 minutes with key on accessory. Still owe too much on it to do anything about it. Dont feel right selling it to someone else and passing off my problems to them. Wouldnt be worth whats owed on it anyway! Very discouraged! Should have stayed with Ford!

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  Fuel Sensor issue - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By aschilling - March 24 - 11:49 am

  We had a fuel sensor issue with the Trailblazer. The gas gague always read empty when the sensor went out. There is a "hidden assistance recall" that GM has that you have to go thru a dealer. We were quoted $340 just to replace the sensor and not the pump. We found the sensor on e-bay for $25.00 and did it ourselves.

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  A bit Spongey - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By heitro - March 23 - 4:00 am

  I recently bought a used 2006 Aveo LT hatchback at 103025 miles. The carfax stated it had regular service done according to the timetable laid out in the manual. So mostly the car runs excellent. My chief complaint at first were the brakes. Ive driven a assortment of cars of various qualities in my years. And I suspected that since it had scheduled maintenance done it would be in good quality, but the brakes are very weak. It feels as though the car is too heavy for the brakes it came with. I tried replacing the brake pads and rotors with OEM quality replacements, and while it made the braking slightly better, it still feels far too heavy.

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  Great Suv to Look At - 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  By robgrv - March 22 - 9:22 pm

  Engine had lots of power and ran well new till it got about 300 miles and then it started "fishing" GMs words. they replaced cam censors. Then it ran good for awhile and then started again. The more miles I put on it the worse it is getting. GM wont fix

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  GMC should take it back!! - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By goosman68 - March 9 - 11:17 am

  I got my new Cruze in Mar. 2011 and have since put 5,000 mi. on it. It is not comfortable on a longer trip. Gas milage sucks. I was under the impression that Chev. had tested the car over 1,000,000 miles, it should be a good car, wrong. I have done my own testing and come to the conclusion that 63mph is its sweet spot to get 36mpg. Thats to slow to drive on an interstate with a 75mph speed limit. I tried 75mph and got 26.6 mpg. My last car was a Vette and going slow is not an opption! Dont even check your in-town mpg, it will scare you.

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  Good first car. - 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By runforbeer - February 29 - 1:17 pm

  I got my cavalier entering my senior year in high school and had it for a good 4 years. When I first got the car it had some minor repairs that had to be done from the previous owner but once I did that the car gave me almost no trouble. Just minor things here and there. The car never broke down on me while on the road and always started(except one time the starter had to be replaced) If you want reliability I say go with this car.

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  Got a Lemon - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By killeremtb - February 28 - 6:31 pm

  I bought this SUV 2 years ago with 60K on it. It now has 102K on it. So far I have had to replace engine, $2000. The blower Door $1254. The Tires $600. The brakes $100. The Battery $100. The rear hydrolic shocks $65.00. I do not recomend this auto. Do an internet look up of "Equinox blows cold air" and see all the people who are having their door go out and costing them over $1000 to fix. Run from this vehicle do not walk away.

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  Bought and sold in under 2 months - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By julie46 - February 28 - 8:25 am

  Not at all impressed with the quality. Had it in the shop 3 times and when we traded it in the pasenger door still wouldnt open. Replaced latches on drivers side also. Tie rods were replaced because they were loose. replaced steering geer box. It thankfully was still under warrenty, but it only had 30,000 miles on it. Interior design is poor, the cup holders are set to far back and the second one is about useless because it sets back part way under arm rest. It looked nice and the mileage was excellent is the nice things I have to say. Probably wont buy American again.

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  They dont make Chevys like they used to! - 1998 Chevrolet Blazer
  By rreddy4 - February 26 - 3:10 am

  I recently bought my 1998 Blazer LS less than a year ago with 111K as a 2nd car. Soon I had the transmission rebuilt afterwards. After that the passenger side wheel front wheel bearing started to make noise. Fixed problem, and then a week later,drivers side wheel bearing went out. Radiator started plugging up and replaced it and noticed a huge oil leak starting from the back of the motor. I really dont understand this, I owned a 1970 Impala many years back in college. Drove it 5 years to nearly 300K with no problems at all! Drove it back in forth from college on the weekends 300 miles each way and managed 18 mpg with 100% reliability . After the Blazer,no more domestic cars for me