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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  I owned 3 cavaliers - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Michael - May 24 - 4:56 pm

  The door locks rusted out twice (whats with that?) No rust anywhere else on the car. It runs great. Does not burn oil. The battery died after 8 years. I replace the blower motor at 80kkm. It slowly lost its speed until it only had high speed. I still have the car and will probably have it for many years to come.

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  Cam Sensor out at 52,000 miles - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By James - May 23 - 10:58 pm

  I havent had this car a year, it has less than 53k miles and the cam sensor malfunctioned. To replace also requires a tune up, as the failure fouled the plugs. Fix - $706. This is the reason I dont buy American made cars.

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  Love the Avy! - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Charles - May 23 - 2:57 pm

  I traded in a 2004 Range Rover for this vehicle. My wife immediately took the keys and has yet to give them back. We have taken this truck on numerous family vacations and by far the most comfortable vehicle we have ever driven in. The LTZ Pkg with White Diamond looks amazing. Had a couple of issues with the doors not closing and the chrome door handle breaking. Both covered under warranty.

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  Who cares about gas mileage? - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Jeff in Utah - May 22 - 11:48 pm

  I havent figured out my mileage after 1500 miles, and I dont intend to. I bought this car because I liked muscle cars in the 70s and this one feels like that. Fast, and solid. And boy does it turn heads! Its like driving the Batmobile! I put ground effects on the orange and black monster, and little kids come running up to the street yelling, "NICE CAR" at me. Middle aged guys in mini-vans lean out their windows as I go buy, waiving their arms in the, "Im not worthy" motion. My wife gets tried of having to spend an extra ten minutes every where we stop to talk to the crowd of people that come up to ask about the car. Its not just a car, its a whole, experience.

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  Only buy if you need a cheap car - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By K Webb - May 22 - 11:13 pm

  Multiple problems. Was fine for me for the two years, but buttons fall off in the climate control, intake gasket leaks, and car just isnt built great. If you only have $1500, buy it. Dont expect any money back.

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  Couldnt get any better - 1998 Chevrolet Corvette
  By jim98vette - May 22 - 6:59 pm

  I purchased this car with all the paperwork at 76k miles. Its my 2nd vette 1st being a 75 sting ray 30 years ago. Ive wanted another one ever since. From day one its been way more than my expectations. Performance is outstanding, handling superb, ergonomics excellent, just a get in it and drive $150,000 European sports car made in usa by American auto makers. And at a fraction of what it would cost if made say in Italy. This cars ls1 is obviously built to handle anything with 6 bolt main bearing caps and a state of the art ls1 engine. I think its more car than anyone expects plain and simple. All Ive added is vortex air cleaner/intake and borla performance exhaust. And shift bypass

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  Workhorse - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Troy S - May 22 - 5:38 pm

  We bought our LT brand new and now have 137k miles on it. Still runs great and we have had very few problems. We have replaced the water pump and brakes and the rear AC drain got clogged and flooded the back. Have experienced some electrical gremlins too but our LT has had a propensity to heal itself! The engine is strong and doesnt burn oil (we have maintained it well) and it is still tight after 137k miles. Leather seats are showing their age, but also have four kids! I expect that we will start having repairs based on miles and age, but knock on wood - so far so good. This is third Suburban - my dad drives a 99 with almost 200k on it.

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  not bad for a first ride - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By a newby - May 22 - 10:34 am

  I cant remember when we got this SUV, but needless to say it has been a very enjoyable vehicle. although the fuel pump did go out a few weeks ago. It was fixed and now its running pretty good. seats are great, sound system is great. the power windows, ehh, not so much...oh yeah. city mpg poor, highway isnt that bad. all round i rather enjoy driving a big mean evil gas guzzling suv. especially knowing that Im destroying the environment (being sarcastic) lol. run the premium stuff around the table in it and the Tahoe will last.

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  Worth owning but needs "Tweaks" - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Dave - May 22 - 9:12 am

  Bought new in 2000. Been all over U.S. east of Miss. river on PGA since. Problems - Front seat recline handles break off, blind spot looking through small left rear window when turning left, AC Compressor weak (all GMs a problem with this), poor positioning of spare inside back left, exterior trim breaks down (plating on luggage rack, trim around rear windows, grill black trim, etc.), Stereo blows up around 30k locking the ignition and electrical. Overall a good ride though with good handling for a high riding SUV. Great acceleration (the V6 is mighty). Regular maintenance at 4000 miles gives you longevity. Would buy again.

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  First Impressions - 2010 Colorado - 2010 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Martin - May 22 - 5:04 am

  I just purchased a new Colorado after owning an S-10 for the last seven years and 160K miles. I did a great deal of research prior to my purchase, focusing mainly on the Tacoma, Frontier and Colorado. Both the Nissan and Toyota received higher reviews from the auto experts, but the consumer reviews were mostly positive for the Colorado. I have only driven this new vehicle for a couple of weeks and my initial impression is that I like it...very much. I drove all three and the Colorado seemed to have what I was looking for. I loved my S-10 and if I enjoy the Colorado half as much, it will have been a great purchase.