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 want my Yukon back! - 2010 Chevrolet Traverse
  By LK - April 30 - 8:32 pm

  I downsized from a Yukon to save gas and I am very disappointed with this vehicle. Its only getting about 3 - 4 miles per mile better mileage than the Yukon and it rates nowhere near the Yukon from my experience in the week I have owned the Traverse. Buy a Yukon or Tahoe instead and you will be happier.

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  Dump this vehicle - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Rick Ganczar - April 30 - 12:39 am

  Bought new in Dec 2002. Well maintained with regular oil changes. Replaced brakes every 20k, replaced fuel pump,replaced fuel filters every 20k, shock absorber gone, required head gaskets, just dump it, not worth fixing.

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  Cruise Control - 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Fred - April 29 - 8:18 pm

  Cruise does not hold going downhill, can gain 10 to 20 miles per hour. Chevy says within spec. Told to use brakes. First auto ever had that does not hold going downhill. Could have more leg room for the rear seat. Seat belt are hard to close when using with childrens car seat.

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  Roomy - But Costly - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Cj - April 29 - 11:26 am

  We are a tall family and the room inside the Equinox is what attracted us to this car, and we have loved it for that reason. What we have not loved is the costly barrage of repairs that started shortly after we purchased the vehicle and have continued for the three and half years that we have owned it. I have had it in the shop for major repairs (which I am going to classify as $400 - $1,500 a pop as a major repair) 8 times while owning it. All of the repairs have been mechanical. Forking out $5,000 - $6,000 repairs for a $20,000 car is ridiculous.

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  Not a good purchase - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By msouth85 - April 28 - 10:06 pm

  We bought our 2008 malibu with 4 miles when we test drove it. After driving across country a few times, at roughly 26k, the vehicle information control module had to be replaced. Now at just under 40k, the catalytic converter is plugged. Also, when cold the transmission will not shift out of first under heavy acceleration, causing the car to say service traction, turn off the traction control, and make the transmission shift very hard. This is the first chevy we have bought, and it will be the last.

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  High mileage problems ! - 1999 Chevrolet Express
  By Fisherman Joe - April 24 - 1:04 pm

  I purchased my 1500 Express 5 years ago, & when I picked it up I started a long drive home, & at 2:30 am on the freeway it quit. 3 days later I was away again after replacing a fuel pump at about 149,000 mi. The rest of my trip was uneventful. Other than the usual wear & tear (brakes, a 2nd in- tank fuel pump,muffler, door lock).I still have the van with 240,000 mi. For the past year or so, it has been running really rough. I changed fuel filter, spark plugs, distributor, rotor, & other parts to no avail. Finally took it to a dealer. $1950 later it has a new computer, injector, vacuum leak repaired, c/w all tuning & reprogramming. For the last 100 miles or so it runs like new !!

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  All Good Except Suspension!! - 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By damagg13 - April 24 - 9:06 am

  I purchased this 01 Tahoe used in 05 with about 50k on it. Everything has been great, added a dual exhuast along with a k&n filter for a 2-3 mpg increase. Other than that the truck is stock. Mechanically the truck is still in good shape,(engine and trans) but everything else in the car is LOOSE, LOOSE,LOOSE! Steering is awful, and the suspension has not been unfixable! The "autoride" feature has to be the worst automotive engineering mistake ever! Air compressors dont last and shocks are about $400 per unit. Granted the truck is 10 yrs old from build date, but you cant even cure suspension issues without spending thousands!

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  2009 Chevy Cobalt LT - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Thomas - April 22 - 10:55 pm

  I got this car to replace my 02 VW Passat because it was starting to cost me anywhere from $1000 to $2000 every other month in repairs. The Cobalt reminds me of a cross between Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Yaris without the dorky exterior of a Yaris. It drives fairly well and has zero blind spots.

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  Nothing But Problems,.. - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Jim - April 21 - 8:15 pm

  Where do I start. This vehicle has so many problems its unbelievable. The sliding doors, ABS, Traction Control, Stability System, flickering lights, brakes, rotors, tires, bearings, hub assembly, cruise control, tie rods and much more. It was great at first and then it just got bad real quick. I have owned 9 Chevy vehicles and this is by far the end of me ever buying another. I would trade this piece of junk in, but cant find anyone willing to give me anything for it. Of course the warranty is over and the repairs just keep coming. Id love to hear if anyone had any success in getting any resolution and would gladly take any recommendations. Im sick of it, but stuck with it.

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  Satisfied - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
  By ouchy89 - April 17 - 8:42 pm

  Bought my 1999 venture ls ext with 90,000 miles on it, about 8 years ago. It has 238,000 now. The last year has been spendy for repairs. Mass air flow sensor, window switches, multifunction switch, taillight circuit board, water pump, battery. At 146,000 miles had the lower intake manifold gaskets done. Otherwise just maintenance and normal wear and tear on the ext. And int. Very happy with the van. Yes, it has rust starting and many things are broken like all the turn knobs for the seats, rear air, overhead console, cup holders, but it still runs like a top.