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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  Please watch out Z71 Crew Cab LS 4WD - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By workless - August 18 - 12:23 pm

  I bought new in 7-03, thought that since the S-10s this would be better. This is single-handedly the worst vehicle I ever owned out of 10+ GM products. The 5 cylinder had no power and even worse fuel economy. The worst is the front end, Isuzu product that is junk. Replace your front brake rotors and youll know what I mean - the design is ridiculous. The GM book rate is 6+ hours to remove a rotor. Then the flex hose to the rear brakes broke down internally and the micro rubber particles jammed up the rear brakes and the ABS system. I traded it in before I paid the approx $1700 for the replacement. I called GM with this complaint, they never called back! Premium gas only or sensors lit daily

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  Good for 500 miles, then its a vibrator with no fix - 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By chevy_vibrator - August 18 - 8:04 am

  Bought this new 2014 Silverado 2.5 months ago. Within 500 miles, it started to vibrate on all roads at all speeds. After 5 trips to the shop, 3 failed fixes, a service manager that acknowledged the problem and said he had a friend with the same problem, 4 calls to GM, GM said "Its normal, theres nothing more we can do". Its not normal to feel like every road is a gravel road. And if you search the internet, youll find 1000s of others reporting this same problem. GM refused to do anything further, so I took a little loss and traded for a Dodge Ram 1500. Couldnt be happier. GM has a big problem here, doesnt know a solution, and is in complete damage control at this point.

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  Dont buy an HHR - 2007 Chevrolet HHR
  By tamie - August 16 - 1:45 pm

  My HHR has been in the shop 13 times in past year. I would be driving down the road and it wold just shut off. Burning smell, all kinds of electrical problems. Before 7K miles it had to have new bearings. It was in the process of Lemon Law and 1 week shy of owning it a year caught on fire while I was driving and burnt to the ground. I was lucky my children werent with me. Gas mileage started out good almost 30 on the hwy and then went to no better than 21. Bought it for gas mileage and safety..I guess they failed on both......

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  Not a realiable van - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Chris - August 16 - 6:20 am

  Was the first new car we bought always bought used. Had problems with this van from day one. Seems Chevy has a problem with the electrical system with this van and doesnt want to admit it. Was in the shop 3 times for the same problem with the gas gauge before it was fixed. Just got it out of the shop last with for another electrical problem. Not a very comfortable ride for a 6,3" person legs are very cramped. Dont like not having a center console. Be sure to get the extended warranty with van your going to need it. Been the most unreliable car I have own in the 18 years of driving. Never again buy a Chevy mini- van. Should have bought a Dodge.

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  Would not suggest this car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jackie91802 - August 12 - 2:35 pm

  My car was great for the first couple years but all has gone down hill from there. ABS light continues to come on even after maintenance, all 4 power windows had to be replaced, pick-up is terrible, transmission is close to going, engine misfired after 45k miles, the a/c and heat does not work unless you put it on full blast, and now surprise surprise there is an electrical problem which doesnt allow me to use my left turn signal (real safe) - Im getting rid of this car as soon as next week, never buying a GM again

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  Not good - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Amy - August 11 - 3:29 pm

  I have had my Uplander for 2.5 years and I have had the worst experience. The service department has had to replace the power steering shaft and steering column in it 2 times now and the sliding doors havent worked for quite some time. Its no wonder GM doesnt make this vehicle anymore. I feel it is a safety hazard. I dont recommend this vehicle.

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  Not a pretty review - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Anderson - August 5 - 7:51 pm

  My experience with this car has been terrible! Started only when it felt like it. Unfortunately I have had to sink alot of money into this car for repairs. Its a decent car to drive. It only has one cup holder in front which is not a good thing for a passenger. So far, I have had to replace the entire ignition and harness, the fuel pump, brakes are junk, heater core, engine coolant seal, and numerous other smaller things. All these repairs were needed when the car had less than 90000 miles. I have approximately $3000 so far in repairs. It is currently in the shop as we speak.

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  GM fails again! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By dhectorg - July 29 - 11:50 am

  I grew up in a GM household and as an adult, I too only drove GM cars for years. Then I decided to try a Honda to see what all the fuss was about. I was so shocked by the superior quality and reliability that I never went back to American...until now. I needed a work truck and something to drive on camping trips. I honestly only bought the Colorado because it was so much cheaper than a comparable used Tacoma or Frontier. After 6 months of driving this truck, Ive decided to sell it and look for a Toyota or Nissan. Ive had to repair the transfer case, replace the clutch, replace relays, replace windshield weather seal, etc. Im going back to Japanese. I know I can count on their quality!

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  chevy cavalier - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By chevy4u - July 28 - 2:00 am

  the car works..but its not a bmw i get you from point a to b in a comfortable manner. the cd player needs work and the moon roof because ive had it break allready 3 times but everything else works fine

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  dont buy this truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By truck for sale - July 23 - 10:00 am

  VARY uncomfortable seats!!!! rough riding,comes from the factory dented,or bad painting,dealer does not check before they except there delivery,rips you off on e.s.p. drivers door misalined,noise in transmission.