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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  Good car -- get checked out before warr. - 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By bluetahoe - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I love my 2002 Tahoe however to anyone buying one i would take it in before the warranty expires and get them to do a full overhaul. I had to get my two front window "cranks" replaced (would have been 500 a piece. Just make sure you take it in and let them check everything.

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  Good Car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jeff Grant - October 18 - 2:00 am

  This car was a great price, its reliable, dependable and is just what I needed for a college freshman son.

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  Great light duty pickup - 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By bacilluscereus - October 17 - 11:08 pm

  After 3 years and 22,000 miles, no real complaints. Dealer replaced Chevy bowtie logo on tailgate twice under warranty due to cosmetic flaking, and recently re-programmed the setting on the defroster to eliminate an interior cabin fogging issue, but all else is mechanically perfect. Gas mileage on the 4.6L V-6 is not as good as I was hoping (only ~19mpg highway empty bed with no A/C running and 55mph speeds, & 14mpg city). Interior treatment is an expanse of bland gray plastic and the dash seems poorly designed in terms of storage, with 3 cubbies too small to be of any real use. However, these are relatively small issues. I like the truck overall very much and will keep it for yrs.

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  Lovin it ! - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By All Jazz - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my 2002 Z71 with 15000 miles on it. I really wanted a BMW X5 but knew that I would regret it because of the size. I need room! I traded in a Jeep that I loved but it was getting up there in miles. So far I love my Tahoe! I wish the Z71 had the third row. I found a company that will sell you one to install yourself. My only concern has been that the steering wheel is not as tight as I would like it. I am taking it back to the dealer to be looked at. Is this typical? I am proud to be a Chevy owner!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  I think I got a Lemon - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jennifer Knauer - October 16 - 8:46 am

  At 70,000 km, and on a vehicle only 2 years old a wheel bearing went along with the drive shaft bearing Dealership got GM to cover the parts but I had to pay for labor - not bad. Now at 79,000 km, another wheel bearing has gone. Not impressed - this shouldnt be happening on a 2 year old vehicle. GM is going to cover parts again at least. As for the other points of this vehicle - blind spot really bad at front windows near doors and towards the windshield due to the very large frame. Paint on console chips very easily. Trough at windshield collects a lot of snow, as well as the wheels and you are digging out both areas. Gas mileage could be better for the size of the vehicle.

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  Love my Maxx - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Rose - October 16 - 3:33 am

  Bought this car with 7,000 miles on it as a dealer demo. Love the style, has tons of space and great gas mileage for a large sedan (34 highway, 27 city). There was a recall on the steering, but was fixed. I have 68,000 miles on it and the suspension is now noisy. Ive had the brakes redone, but I drive a lot of hills. I would buy another, but GM is not making the hatchback Maxx model any longer.

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  safaris are killer - 1999 Chevrolet Astro
  By sue lu - October 16 - 2:00 am

  my safari has been so awesome!!Ive got over 70K miles without a single problem the only thing i dont like about the van is the front passenger side doesnt have alot of leg room but who cares!!

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  Issues! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By sparks276 - October 16 - 2:00 am

  I left a review about a year ago, at that time I thought this car was great, well since that time there has been 2 recalls and just the other day, I was driving out of a parking lot and started hearing this clicking noise, at this time all the dash lights were comming on and off and the power steering was failing, could hardly steer the car! this is a leased vehicle and thats the way its staying, I will not purchase it, buyer beware!!!!

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  My Malibu - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By granddonnadjs - October 16 - 2:00 am

  Molding around car does not fit together and can not be replaced. Gas gauge went haywire after 10 months and needed service. Nice car but poor workman ship inside and out.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By penrose - October 15 - 2:00 am

  First week with about 200 miles on it. Sold my 2003 Dodge for a 2004 Z66 and this is quite an upgrade as far as ride and comfort. Taking $10,000 off the sticker didnt hurt either.