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:

• 

  Reliable but always dumb problems - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Alex - March 27 - 1:51 pm

  I bought the Blazer when it was 4 years old and had 64000 miles. It ran good, but within one month, I brought it in for a new exhaust system, o2 sensor, fuel injection system, and transmission issues. Since then, I have brought it to the dealership on three different occassions which needed to have other mechanical parts replaced. No major issues but many minor problematic parts have had to be replaced. Buy an extended warranty if you get one because these will use it up. Otherwise, the SUV rides decent and has always been dependable as it always starts and has never leaked fluid.

• 

  boring but reliable - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By greatone79 - March 27 - 10:00 am

  nothin wrong with my car since i got it, except for a leak in the oil tank about a year after i got it. car is very reliable and has shocking acceleration for a "family" style car

• 

  Not in love - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By nomorebowties - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Great sized vehicle. The new 6 cylinder engine is silky smooth and full of torque and power at a reasonable MPG. The handling and design quaality of this vehicle is top-notch. My hats off to Chevrolet Engineering for a great concept, design and build. Now, if you could just do something about the after- sale service offered by your dealer network. It leaves much to be desired. 3 return trips for nagging little problems that should be resolved FIRST TIME. The outside mirrors that move and dont move back, the electrical "glitch" that they cannot locate, etc, etc. I bought a fully loaded $36K vehicle, I expected no excuses, Ive had nothing but.

• 

  Lots of car for the money - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By George - March 26 - 11:00 am

  Feels, drives, and is equipped like a much more expensive car. Bought for wifey, she loves it too. Other car is an 06 Chrysler 300C, which of course I like even more, but this Maxx does not feel like too big a step down when I drive it, unlike the 02 Malibu we traded which was dependable but a noisy cheap ride. This is much more like it. The car was an absolute bargain. The current "Red Tag Sale" for 06 models is disguised rebate of $2500 to $3000 depending on region of US you live in. With GM credit card earnings of $2600, took home for under 15K, sticker was 22,700. Note of caution, about mid- model year, GM did not change invoice, but cut MSRP by 5%. Late 2006 MSRP closer to 21,700

• 

  Problem from hell - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By James - March 24 - 2:01 pm

  Since having the recall on the brake switch done Ive have nothing but problems with my brakes locking up, ABS Faults and the dealship says its not covered after 10k miles and that the recall did not cause it, and to fix would cost over $1500. The fuel mileage is nowhere near what they say it is Hwy 22-24 Im lucky if i get 15- 16 and I only get 10-12 city. Thinking about trading in for a better vehicle.

• 

  Now theres no excuse to buy imports - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tdcrawford - March 24 - 12:10 pm

  We recently purchased the new 08 Malibu LT w/ the 2LT package after test driving multiple sedans. We tried the LT with the 4cyl engine but the pickup was atrocious. Also, the electric steering feels too sensitive while at the same time feeling sluggish. The V-6 engine on the other hand has ample power. The hydraulic steering compliments the additional power with more responsiveness and better feel. On the other hand, the TapShift rarely seems to come in handy. It can be quite difficult to feel when you need to shift, so you often find yourself trying to read the tachometer (which shouldnt be necessary in a sedan such as this one).

• 

  noisy stabilizer links - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By duncan_william - March 24 - 10:00 am

  Had rattle near front wheels. Had dealer guy ride and he said it was R/I front sway bar. dealer replaced both front stabilizer links and that fixed the rattle(01/04/04). Now I hear it coming back(sept/04). Is there a lub I can apply or is there a permanent fix? Comments anyone. Thanx all.

• 

  Im happy with it! - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Donna - March 22 - 3:41 pm

  I bought my Blazer used over 3 years ago. Ive had great luck with my little truck.

• 

  As expected - 1995 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Mo-Jo - March 21 - 9:26 pm

  Granny has tranny issues and sold the car to me at 80,000 miles. Had that fixed and put 50,000 more miles before it was using so much oil I couldnt get 3000 miles without adding oil. I ended up neglecting it once and now it needs an engine. During that time I changed the water pump, compressor, and some sensors.

• 

  Problems with Uplander - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By daizy43 - March 21 - 9:00 pm

  I love the comfort of this vehicle and driving it is very easy. I have not been very happy though with all the problems. The outside tempature gauge is incorrect all the time. The vehicle once in a while wont start over correctly. It constantly says on the dash that it needs to have maintanence. I have already had to turn in this vehicle for problems 3 times and its not even a year old yet. I regret buying a Chevy Uplander. I should have listened to all my family and friends and bought a Honda or Toyota minivan. I have reported all my issues with the dealership but they tell me they cant repeat the problems with their computers. Would not recommend this van to anyone!