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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  Wanted to Love It, But GM Workmanship? - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By chiefmo - December 16 - 2:00 am

  Several electrical problems and major cooling-heating issues. I have had 4 heater core problems with this truck (Only 1 covered by the warranty) Every other year after 60k, I have lost heat. I have been arguing with the dealer- repair folks to no avail. I have played with the idea of getting a Tahoe or Yukon but have lost all confidence in GM products.

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  High relative value - 1995 Chevrolet Corsica
  By kjantz - December 14 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car with 140000 km. already on it. In nearly four years we have put on 60,000 km, spark plugs and wires and two alternators.I then installed a reflector shield between the exhaust manifold and the alternator with no further problems.

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  Cant wait to get rid of this car - 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By ALK - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used right after I graduated college because it was all I could afford. I have had several problems with it including coolant problems, blown head casket, a/c problems, belts problems that needed replaced...you get the idea. Looking to trade this junk in for a Corolla...cant wait!!!

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  a real car buff - 1992 Chevrolet Corvette
  By GeneinSC - December 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought this in 1998 and it only had 4k miles on it....just like new in the guys garage and he had a 93 coupe for sale as well. Car is just like new, in looks and in every other way.

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  Mr. - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Keoni - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought an Extreme Version of this car. It has an awesome looks, people always ask me about my car. Its powerful, good torque and fun to drive.

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  love this truck - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By Jay - December 13 - 5:50 pm

  I bought this truck new and for the first 125000 miles I didnt do a thing to it except replace a cracked exhaust manifold (at 650000) and change the oil. I have 155000 on it now and in the last six months I have pretty much given it a complete overhaul. Everything broke at once. Granted Im not the best with maintenance and it all just caught up with me. Now with a complete new brake system, alternator, starter, the other manifold,and a tune up, I hope to get at least another 100000 miles out of it. The biggest complaint is the ABS. Even after the recall they still dont work right. Quick fix is to pull the fuse. I hope for a few more years out of it and would definitely buy another Chevy.

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  Crossing My Fingers! So far So Good! - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By soybatoman - December 13 - 5:49 pm

  I bought the truck new in Sept 2007. Now close to 4 years and 43K miles only 1 problem. I had to change out the broken hubs at 40K so no warranty. The only major complaint I have is the harsh transmission. It jerks, clunks and hard shifting which the dealer says "normal". Another problem is a wind noise at speeds over 65MPH coming from front doors or dash??. I do have to say its a great truck. I did install a 6" lift kit, 35" tires and 4.56 gears at 8K

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  Colorado great move - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Kenneth L Haynes Jr - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS TRUCK I TAKE IT TO PLACES MY 4-WHEELER LOVES TO GO... THANKS LCPL HAYNES JR KENNETH L USMC

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  Happy Owner - 2002 Chevrolet Camaro
  By offset_98 - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Overall I am happy with my purchase. I have been born and raised a Ford man but wanted to take a chance with the last Camaro being produced. Im already at 3K miles as a daily driver and I have no problems. I chose my car without leather and T-tops because I heard the Chevy leather is crap and the T-tops squeak. I have no squeaks in my car. I am comfortable driving my 75 mile a day commute to and from work on the 405 in LA (if youre from here, you know it can be a nightmare). If you can find one, do it now while you still can, you shouldnt be disappointed.

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  Bring It Back - 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Herbie - December 11 - 4:36 pm

  I love this car. In black it has this stealth look. The car has been bullet proof. Only regular maintenance in the 3 years I have owned it. Negatives: paint does chip easily, and interior fit and finish is overall "good," but some of the trim parts dont fit well. I switched to an "H" rated Goodyear Assurance (Eagle GT) series; this permitted better cornering. My Monte is loaded....whatever was available it has.