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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  2.4 SS Excellent - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By SSport - February 12 - 9:16 pm

  I would recommend this car to anyone. Its a little car with a big heart. Minor problems here and there, but to be expected in a brand new car! I love it and plan to love it for many years to come!

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  Super Car - 1992 Chevrolet Lumina
  By tar rat - February 12 - 2:00 am

  This thing wont die. It now has 174,000 miles and runs great. The few negatives are the ABS, which quit working at about 50,000 miles, and the placement of the battery. At 12 years old, the car just now starting to show a little rust.

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  Dont keep after 50,000 miles - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Irishsz23 - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in October of 2000, and have little problems. Ever since I got to 50,000 I have had nothing but problems. Oil Lines cracked, Power steering line cracked, Serpintine belt replaced twice, oil rings replaced, and now having problems with 4WD. It has been nothing but trouble lately. My advice keep for 3 years then look for something else.

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  decisions... decisions... - 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Cheryl G. - February 11 - 5:27 am

  I bought this car used, in early aug. 2016. Its the ltz model with awd v6. All the rating of 4 stars would be 4 plus. So far I am very happy with equinox. I have not had any problems, it drives and rides nice. Also on the ltz model at least there are rear air ducts under the front seats.I think you should drive the 4 and the 6cyl engine before making your decision tho.

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  1998 ZR2 - 1998 Chevrolet S-10
  By ZR2TRUCK - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Truck does very well in snow when using 4x4. Does well off road except that it does not like to make sharp turns. However, that is expected with extended cab trucks. V6 engine has plenty of power. I had to replace the powersteering pump at 35,000 miles and the ball joints at 50,000. Good design overall, just wish that it was built better. My seat adjustors are broke, the handle to my 3rd door is broke. Fender flares are ate up and I only have 54,000 miles on the truck.

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  happy to sad in 5 mins. - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By once happy - February 11 - 2:00 am

  This was what I thought was a great car. Only owned for 1 year and had NO problems other than break repair and ABS sensor. But.... all of a sudden knocking... rod, need new engine, intake gasket leaking, all bad news... 5000 to repair or trade. Three weeks ago I would have bought another... today it would be difficult to get me into the chevy dealership...going back to the Taurus! The Malibu was "FUN" while it lasted!

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  Powerful and handles well - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By twc - February 10 - 2:00 am

  This truck has performed well. Had to have left and right power windows fixed (mechanicals would bind sometimes). Repaired under warranty. At 31,000 miles had to have one rear axle bearing replaced under warranty and the two piece driveshaft balanced. Otherwise a good truck.

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  featured car/good price - 1999 Chevrolet Malibu
  By davewfink - February 10 - 2:00 am

  I purchaced this car in Nov 1999. Since I have had it there has been some unwarranted repairs. The manifurctures front rotors warped within a year. Because of that, I had to replace tires as well. Antenna doesnt pick up stations well. It has been reliable, though. NO SUPER COSTLY ($800+) repairs needed. It is quite peppy for a 4-door sedan.

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  Ford Traitor - never had a GM product - 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
  By X-Expedition - February 10 - 2:00 am

  A great Truck! Of course we purchased our 2001 Suburban for our rescued greyhound who likes to travel. Plenty of room for the way we pack(for a month regardless) and Cutter too! Plus a comfortable ride with my 20ft. Ranger tagging along behind(like its not even there) when we are filming a local Outdoor TV show. Again, plenty of room for our luggage, cameras, and other gear. Hunting shows are no problem either.... especially in this part of the country where you pack for cool, warm, and cold. Just a great all around truck and Im getting ready to purchase a 2003.

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  Honor His Righteousness - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Benjamin - February 9 - 2:03 pm

  I cannot really say anything bad about this vehicle. It could use some more power on future models, but that would be about it. You know, more get up and go when you have to floor it in Houston area traffic.