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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  2008 silverado 1500 - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By richr - February 12 - 6:40 pm

  Overall a great truck, there are a few problems though. Glad I got the extended warranty. Just under 60k and it stopped running with reduced engine power code. Five months later just over 60k stopped running again same code. Both times dealer could not find a problem, reset computer and gave it back. Have a thumping in trans or rear end, cant find that either. The passengers side door lock no longer works by the power switch. Great gas mileage, 22 mpg hwy. Great power when running.

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  Good for the money - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By sinisterc6 - February 12 - 3:55 pm

  Well I bought the car as cheap as possible to lower the cost and regret it. I wish I had power locks and windows but thats my fault, for the money its a good car. Its horrible in the snow, worse even than my 91 Camaro with the 5L v8. Its really pathetic that this car gets stuck as much as it does. Its comfortable tho, Ill give it that with a lot of room and a big trunk, just stay away if it snows in your area unless you want to buy snow tires (shouldnt be nessisary on a car like this, was never needed on my Camaro). If I could do it again Id get the 1lt and get the features most otther cars come standard with.

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  Run as fast as you can - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By james1 - February 11 - 10:26 pm

  I went from a 1992 GMC Jimmy to this. I had 242,000 miles on the Jimmy and was less afraid to take that on a trip than I am this car. I bought it with 91,000 miles on it and have only driven it 11,000 so far. Out of that 11,000 miles I have had to get it towed twice and it has been back to the dealership at least 6 times. The car is not that old or that highmileaged to have to worry about being able to make it someplace without it blowing up. plus if you live in an area with alot of potholes or on a dirt road the car is so low that it drags all of the time. I hate saying it but you are better to spend a little more money on gas and buy a Tarus. at least they dont die ever 1500 miles.

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  Reliable, and Lots of Fun! - 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By roman238 - February 10 - 1:35 am

  I no longer own this car, but I felt it deserved my review. Bought this car used in 2002 with 23,000 miles on her. At the time it was overall the best car I had ever owned, and Ive owned quite a few. At 34k the rear seals went bad, (a common problem with the 3100 that year). At about 45k I replaced the brakes. The muffler cracked at 60k...replaced that. The gas tank at 64k and the water pump at 85k. I put new tires on when I first bought her, and they passed inspection in May 2012. Other than those repairs, all I did was change the oil and rotate the tires. In Nov. of 2012, I traded the old girl in on a 1998 Monte Carlo Z34 with only 45k which I will review as well. The best car I ever had!

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  My 99 Burban - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Brian - February 9 - 11:02 pm

  It used to have a 2" lift in the rear & ran gr8 until my boss sold it to my job. They replaced the motor at 110k. The day I bought it, the radiator broke. It ran great for a while. Besides the regular maintenance, I replaced oil plug (thanks castrol 10 min oil change), distributor, front rotors, hub bearings, 4 shocks, new tires, u- joints, rotors, shoes & pads, bank 2 cat. converter & o2 sensor. I still have a shake in the rear end but no one knows what is causing the truck to shake. They told me tires but I am not changing them again unless they are paying for it. I was told rear end or trany but unless they are going to pay 4 it, im leaving it alone. Cannot go over 70 mph.

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  Great running SUV - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By raiderzfan422 - February 9 - 3:30 pm

  I purchased my 1996 Blazer 1 and 1/2 years ago with 108,000 on it. It has been very reliable and has had no major problems. If you maintain these vehicles they will run for a long time. Change oil every 3k, tune ups and make sure to grease all ball joints and fittings etc. Flush coolant as well becuase of the known problems with the cooling systems. I love my Blazer and maintain it very well. Vehicle now has 126000 on it and all I have replaced is battery, alternator, thermostat and a rear end seal.

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  Lovely - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
  By LordZamme - February 9 - 3:18 pm

  Bought the car used for $850. Motor would not turn over. 3.1L with a 5 speed Had the motor rebuilt and .30 over. I have had replaced the $200 transmission mount, tires, fuel filter, fan relay, battery, computer, injectors and tires since I bought it. Going to replace the dash panel and seats next. New steering wheel to get rid of the airbag and fat steering wheel. Love this car!!

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  2007 Malibu SS - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Dave - February 9 - 11:29 am

  Bought this car with about 2,000 miles on it, had it for about a year and put around 17,000 miles on it myself. The leg-room is one of the main reasons I bought it as Im a tall guy, the pedals can even be lowered via a button on the dashboard(may be an option.) Accelleration is good/OK, not as good as my old Buick Regal GS but sufficient. Outside styling is nice and somewhat mean-looking/old muscle car style. The seats may be a little hard for some but so far no problems on long trips and very pleased. As far as reliability goes, no problems except excessive brake squeek which has all but gone away since the odometer read around 15,000 miles. I give it a B!

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  poor quality - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By john - February 8 - 5:46 am

  bought this truck as a demo with 6000 miles rides nice 4/4 works good put 10000 per year on truck, seats are falling apart, lint everywhere, back door handles falling off, paint peeling, I picked this truck over a toyota, because of good deals from GM i had also bought a 2004 silverado that had numerous power steering problems, should have gone with my gut and got the toyota, next truck will be a ford or toyota, ive given GM enough business

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  Home made import - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Baker - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I was going to replace my 01 Impala with an 04, in fact the dealer had my new Impala prepped for me. I saw the LT model in the showroom and had to test drive it. I fell in love. I love the looks of the Nissan Altima but would never buy an import. This car has it all.