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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  Junk - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By alan - June 30 - 8:45 am

  I bought this car because of the low gas mileage for this size car. It is a comfortable 6 passenger car. But you never know when you may have to walk. The 3.4 has defective intake gaskets which I have replaced. The signal light blinkers are defective. The brake rotors are defective. I have another problem with engine misfire now. This car is the most unreliable car I have ever owned.

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  Loved My TrailBlazer - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By James - June 28 - 5:45 pm

  I bought my TrailBlazer new in Feb 2003. Overall, I have been very pleased with it. I looked at the Explorer, the Durango and Gr Cheerokee as well, but the TBs HP and styling won me over. Great for long trips, tons of storage, great in the snow (I have the locking rear). I too had problems with a leaking taillight and the trim around the license plate, but they were covered under warranty. Also had a rear window motor go last summer, but my dealer got GM to cover the part even thought the car was out of warranty. Wind noise was louder than I was used to. Mileage 15 city/22 highway. Just traded it on a new 07 Suburban - I was very sorry to get rid of it, but we simply outgrew it.

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  Good solid van - 2004 Chevrolet Astro
  By Jayvict - June 28 - 12:44 pm

  We have four children and love this van. It has plenty of power and room. For the money it was and is a great deal.

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  Never broke down in 8 years - 1999 Chevrolet Tracker
  By KennyS - June 28 - 8:44 am

  This car has never broken down once since December 1999 with only 400 miles to start with. I changed the oil religiously and never drove crazy. Ive recently had the brake pads changed for the first time in 8 years. Ill be driving this car over 2,000 miles from TX to WA so Ill really be testing it now. The exterior black plastic runner along the drivers side door has come unglued and is about the only noticable defect. I dont know if Im just lucky or if I have the only Tracker that was built to last.

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  In love with Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tiger - June 27 - 3:35 pm

  Ive read many a review on the Malibu and keep seeing that people think its "blah". I love my Malibu, I think the exterior is sleek although not outstanding, the interior is nice although not extraordinary, and so far its been a good car although Ive only had it about a year out of the 3 years this car has been around. This car is not the best Ill admit, but I didnt buy the best, and I wasnt expecting to. If I wanted the best I would have bought a Cadillac or something equally as good or better. Im definitely happy with my purchase and would buy another one in a heartbeat.

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  Think before you buy - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By avhhis - June 27 - 8:20 am

  I have had this car for two years and have many problems with it. It is currently in the shop right now for the 8th time and it only has 39000 miles on it. It was in the shop twice for problems with the sunroof, which is not that big of a deal. But I have had two major problems. One, the brake lines and brake fluid lines were bad. It was in the shop three times for brake issues, and the third time I took it in I had no brake fluid left in the car because of a major leak. The second problem has been with the steering. Twice I have had problems where the power steering message comes up and I lose control of the steering. If I could go back I would buy a different car.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By bio - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I test drove this today as it is finally showing up in dealships. It is fun to drive and I like it a lot.

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  I love my Chevy - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By ilovemychevy - June 26 - 3:17 am

  I highly recommend this car great gas mileage, great for single people, great to go to and from work in.

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  happy camper - 2017 Chevrolet Spark
  By ed z - June 25 - 7:10 am

  Im retired 72 car is perfect for me i have plenty visibility driver passenger leg and head room great on gas milage handles and responses well 3yr bumper to bumper 2 free oil changes roadside assistance 5 yrs

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  Dont buy a 2005 - you will regret it - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Brandy Duffield - June 23 - 6:50 pm

  The car looks great, however, I have had nothing but problems, I owned the car a month and the rear differential had to be completely replaced. The AWD still doesnt work correctly and is always engaged, so if its raining its like driving on ice, literally! The gas mileage was supposed be 25+ mpg, its more like 16 or 17 mpg. I will not even put my daughters in the car with me anymore because I feel so unsafe when driving it, I should just sell it but I worry about a person safety that would buy it. I have contacted GMC with no response on their end.