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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  Surburban = Lemon - 2006 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Paul Lenich - January 8 - 3:55 pm

  I bought a new surburban in 2006. After 60,000 miles, the transmission failed and I had to spend $3k on a new one. The vehicle was out of warranty and GM offered no assistance. I am extremely disappointed that after spending $50k on a vehicle that it needed a new transmission with so low mileage. This is my first GM car and my last. I have owned three nissans and one volov and the quality of the suburban is well below the others. I would advise shopping around.

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  do yourself a favor and stay away - 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By dontbuy - January 8 - 10:41 am

  I bought this car new and it has been in the shop more and for longer periods of time than ANY other car I have owned. I am picking it up again today from the dealership after the transmission was rebuilt at 10,788 miles. There is a water leak that they have yet to find and the car smells like mold. They want me to bring it back when the new carpet they ordered for it comes in! this has been an ongoing thing since early last summer with the mold. The first time they just sprayed something in the vents. there is standing water in the trunk wheel well.

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  sorry chevy - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By sammckenzie - January 7 - 2:28 pm

  Ive had nothing but trouble every since I bought this car, with security system, service traction system window motor broke, cat converter had to be replaced at 60000 and roars when turning right, security system leaves me stuck at places for 15 min.In my book this is the sorriest car I have ever bought, they should recall all and destroy them!

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  P.O.J - 2001 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Aiden - January 6 - 6:55 pm

  The transmission jerks when I try to speed up, I have to floor it to get up any hill at a minimum of 40 mph. The heat takes way to long to warm up compared to other vehicles Ive driven. The gas stinks, I think a Hummer would be better. This car is big and bulky on the outside but I have to sit weird and lean the seat all the way back to have any room (No, Im not a fat person and Im only 61) and this car, for the msrp and being the last year it was made as a Lumina, is worthless in trade in and private party value.

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  Never Again - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By AmberE - January 4 - 1:51 pm

  I am amazed to see how many people on here are having the same problems as I am and there arent any recalls. I too have had issues with a clunky front end, my abs light coming on at random, and kicking in at random, my traction control light comes on and kicks in also, I now have to turn it off before I start driving because it was kicking in at dangerous times. I have replaced my speedometer. The lights on my rear view mirror work at some moments and not at others. The car is comfy but the pros will never outweigh the cons in this car. I am now considering a Honda or Hyundai or something foreign. I will never buy an impala again. Horrible!

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  Chevy not American! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By a unhappy Chevy lad - December 30 - 10:14 pm

  Well.. This being my first chevy and last. I never seen such a poor quality AWD when compared to Subaru and the pricing for the vehicle. Its body does not do justice in Rain, and actually works better in the snow. We have tried 4 different kinds of tires and made no signs of improvements. The material in the vehicle is very cheap, we cannot clean it out nor get it professional cleaned. We actually had to spend another grand and updated it with leather which has been great since. THIRD, two things.. ITS NOT AN AMERICAN ENGINE! SHOCKED! and it doesnt even have a REAL BATTERY. You cannot jump this, or jump another vehicle with this SUV. It has its good days but NOW I see why GM is falling!

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  Good looking truck, but lots of problems - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By k-snod - December 21 - 12:05 pm

  I purchased my colorado in Sept 2006. I have had nothing but problems. First there was a recall for a brake light switch, then at 47000 miles I had to replace the camshaft actuator ($98). Then at 59000 miles I had to replace the vent valve and ignition switch, that was another $458. I just took it back to GM because of rough idle and found out the cylinder head needs replaced (62000 miles). The mechanic told me GM will cover the cost, which will be close to $3000.00. GM will not recall the trucks for this problem, they will only fix it IF you have the problem and it happens before 100,000 miles. Needless to say this truck has been trouble since day 1.

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  worst car ever!!!! - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Fousek11 - December 17 - 1:53 pm

  I bought this car hoping 2 get away from a all the problems... But in all reality.. Ive had more problems with this 1 car than I had with the 2 other ones I had before it... Brakes go bad quickly, one of the cylinders went bad ($200), the vent motor is broken ($220), fixin the bumper after an accident cost $600... N now the best part... I need a new a/c compressor ($300-$600 for the part alone... And about $250-$300 for the labor)... Ive spent more money tryin to fix this car Rather than just paying it off n being on my way... I used to love Chevy... Now my view on them is very vague...

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  Broke down with less than 4K miles! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By recker - December 16 - 8:42 pm

  You would think that after making a 30K purchase, it would be reliable. GM dropped the ball. After owning for 4-5 months and less than 4000 miles our traverse has an "intermittent electrical issue", and will not start. The service department had to call GMs engineer dept to find out how to fix the issue. The fact that the service dept had to call GM on how to fix the problem is a scary thought. Never again!!

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  Worst Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
  By John - December 15 - 11:12 am

  Having driven ChevyÂ’s my entire life, itÂ’s safe to say IÂ’ll never own another after this experience. IÂ’m convinced that anyone who has anything positive to say regarding this vehicle must be a representative of GM. I have countless small complaints (doors not working properly, door panel coming off, dvd not working etc) but IÂ’ll stick with the major issues. At 40,000, the engine blew because the timing belt sprocket came off the crank shaft - $6000. Last week the driveshaft literally fell out of the transmission - $1100. These problems are unheard of for a vehicle with less than 50,000 miles. Mind you, this vehicle is used primarily by my wife for trips to the grocery store, not offroading.