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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  Unhappy Cavalier Owner - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By betht_121 - April 3 - 3:25 pm

  This car was not even weatherproofed at the factory, bought it brand new. Nothing but problems. Customer service was no help other than replacing the carpeting after the car flooded from no weatherproofing (the "new" carpet doesnt even fit). The dashboard rattles, the window broke very early in ownership, the trunk light was wired wrong. There is still something wrong wiring-wise but no one can find it. Did I mention the customer service experience left a lot to be desired. I have been trying to get them to address any of these issues for almost 2 years now. . I wouldnt recommend a Chevy to anyone.

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  Terribly dissapointed - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Glen - March 27 - 6:42 pm

  Day one-problems with acceleration, brakes, front-end. Interior plastic warped on back door. Flat spot on acceleration, bogs out and dealers cannot find problem. Very dissapointed, was very excited to purchase this new model and now wish that I hadnt. Am class a mechanic so I know how a vehicle should run.

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  Poor Car - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Dave - March 27 - 10:57 am

  Bought this car for my wife against my better judgment. (cars reputation) I was told that they had improved build quality. They have not!! The car only has 55000 km on it and something breaks every week. All new brakes at 40k, fan speed switch, lower control arm bushings, broken rear defrost switch that required a complete heater control unit because you cant just change switch!! etc, etc! Everything squeaks! Not even close to being is the same league as my last Toyota or current Subaru. Cant wait to get rid of this car. I will never buy another GM!!!!

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  van from hell - 2007 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Lisa - March 25 - 6:50 pm

  Ever since buying this brand new vehicle, we have had nothing but problems. Two weeks after purchase it was misfiring on 1 & 4 sparkplugs. Then the stability traction control comes on when you dont expect it. Youll be driving on dry pavement and then all of a sudden the abs comes on. Had the ebcm changed twice, the yaw censor changed but the problem keeps happening. Its really scary when your driving down the road at 70 km/h and the abs start applying for no reason. At first the code c0196 came up and now nothing comes up, it doesnt even store it in the computer. The dealer doesnt know what to do and GM isnt too concerned. I drive this with my 3 kids and Im scared to death. Beware!

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  more costly to drive than you may think - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Greg - March 20 - 12:58 pm

  Though it would be better on fuel and save me some money, as it turns out I have been putting more repair money in it than fuel money. rear hatch wiper motor first then the ignition switch, followed by a computer,2 fuel injectors, wheel bearings, brake caliper, upper and lower ball joints, and the sun roof leaks (still). The check engine light has been on now again for 2 and a half months but I am afraid to take it in. even if it is the filters the dealer replaces every time it is more money than I want to spend on this lemon that now has 46000 miles, and about $5800 in repairs in the last 3 years

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  Lemon all the way - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Yvonne Lancaster PA - March 16 - 7:41 pm

  I have had this car for 4yrs and it has had nothing but issues. I probably spent as much in repairs as I have on the sales price. Replaced catalytic converter,starter,fuel pump,several sensors, and now they say the gasket needs replaced, talk about a lemon, I will never, never buy another GM car which was all I believed in buying previous to this money gouging vehicle. Get with the program GM.

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  Not too impressed - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Rick Burger - March 11 - 10:00 am

  After the flash wears off, this is just a typical Corvette, plastic & a bigger than average motor. Big whoop de do! I want the C-6 and am in line already. Most people dont like the fat & bald stereotype connected to being a vette owner & the chicks dont like fat & bald vette owners either - its just a stigma that I cannot shed.

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  Auto start/stop and no auto climate control - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Christopher Kelly - March 3 - 6:07 pm

  The car has the auto start/stop when you stop the car its annoying turns the a/c or heat off at lights and theres no way to turn the system off. To get auto climate control in the car you need the top trim level which comes with leather and sunroof and larger wheels all which are unneeded things. Cars that cost half as much brand new come with auto climate control.

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  HATE THIS CAR - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Anonymous - February 29 - 8:24 am

  This thing is the worst car I have EVER owned. In the shop - ignition sticks from time to time, and the dealer told me to just deal with it - it will start. NEVER again will I buy a GM product - quality and service have been seriously lacking. Had to replace front struts with less than 40000 miles. American companies wonder why we buy foreign - this car is a prime example of why. Even my interior is junk - peeling radio dials and an interior that stains if you drop water on it. I would never recommend to anyone to buy this piece of junk!

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  very disapointed - 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
  By very disapointed - February 23 - 10:51 am

  Very expsensive car to own. I have had this car just a short time. 121,000 miles when I bought it, and in less than 6mos I have made some very costly repairs (close to $2000) with some repairs labor free because I did some myself. intake gasket, egr valve, catalytic coverter, trans flush new brakes. the check engine light comes on everytime I fix one thing something else sets light on. I really think this is a good example of a modern day disposable car. If I could aford to, I would just throw it away to the junkyard where it belongs. poor engineering altogether. Just a legal lemon, and a piece of junk.