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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  Dont Buy a 2000 Chevy Malibu - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Augfirst - February 21 - 12:48 pm

  The 2000 Chevy Malibu is a poorly built car. It seems that I and many other people have had trouble with the Intake Manifold Gasket which needs to be replaced about every 50000 miles,I am already on my second gasket. The cost is around $600. Along with ABS, fan switch, and brakes this makes for a very expensive car to maintain.

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  Ill never buy a chevy again - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By B.Osman - February 19 - 5:34 pm

  Reading the reviews, I wish I had beforehand, I can feel everyones pain. This vehicle has been nothing but problems from the day I bought it. The drivers side seat is uncomfortable, taking out the 3rd row is practically impossible, it hardly even moves when you push the gas. I have high mileage and had to have major repairs done, Chevy told me that they cant do anything because of the mileage. And I asked them why the put 6 numbers on the odometer. I try to buy "American" when I can, but they will never see another one of my dollars again.

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  Take my word, dont purchase - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By jd - February 17 - 9:36 pm

  Nothing but trouble out of my trailblazer. Like the looks, but thats about it. Only has 32,000 miles and Im having misfires in cylinders. Dealership cant figure out whats wrong. Want to charge me thousands of dollars to test different "theories". Hatch shocks are also already out. Plus there was a whinning in the motor, come to find out the tensioner pulley was going out. Going to get rid of the suv, before it completely goes out.

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  problem s - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By puppet - February 15 - 8:34 am

  The front of the car is to low and everytime I go over a bump-it scraps under the bottom of the car. I recently are have problems with transmission fuel leaking and the steering shaft is making noises. Also, I dont have any heat on the drivers side.

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  lemon - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By trailtech - February 8 - 2:00 am

  In 1yr. our trialblazer has been in the shop 18 times.a/c problems that GM refuses to work on under warranty.4wheel drive that has not worked in 5000 miles.no brake lights 3 times and yes 5 recalls.my review can be shortend to one word "LEMON".this comes from a big GM fan and technician

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  Disappointedchevyowner - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By neverbuychevyagain - February 5 - 8:28 pm

  I bought a "certified" used 2002 from the dealership w/ extended warranty. this broke down 3 days after I drove it off the lot. took 3 weeks to get back. I have had nothing but 1 problem after another in 4 yrs of ownership. Engine just went at 70k (manuf defect w/ cyl wall) and after 6 weeks I finally get back with used engine that doesnt run right. On way home front suspension fell apart- not put back together properly. Calls to Chevy/GM were no help. GM will not stand behind their vehicles and basically acted like they didnt even want to hear about my problem. GM refused to give new engine or guarantee on used engine. Ill never buy GM again. Getting Subaru if I ever get back.

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  Big Mistake - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By bhults - February 5 - 8:31 am

  The vehicle is very attractive and urban design. Great alternative to the PT Cruiser design. Fun to drive when is not in the garage. Great fuel mileage on long hauls drive 1300 mile trips often and only use 3 tanks of gas for the whole trip. When it comes to reliability and performance it becomes a different story. I purchase new vehicles often about every 2-3 years and this will probably be my last Chevrolet purchase. Chevrolet customer service is great but if they cant build a reliable car then its not for me to purchase would recommend Toyota, Honda or Saturn.

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  Chevy trailblazer - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Chevy Trailblazer - February 2 - 7:05 pm

  I own a 02 trailblazer and I just bought it last year it has spent more time in the shop than in my driveway. It is now also in the shop for new transmission. I hate this vehicle. My mechanic said the housing was busting on the inside in big chunks. I gave too much for it and I am still giving with the problems I have with it.

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  Worst Truck Ever - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By X Chevy Fan - January 30 - 4:03 pm

  I hate this truck. I bought this truck Brand New. Have had it for 3 yrs now. The day after I bought it the ac blower resister, blower motor and resistor pigtail burn out... at 34 miles. At around 14000 miles, the ignition coil goes out. The list goes on and on. Now have 51000 on it and I have replaced the ac electrical parts 5 times, one tranny, starter, alternator, water pump, fuel pump, and countless bulbs. And the instrument cluster went out at around 39000. GM still refuses to replace mine. Been over a year and a half without speedo. Last but not least, the spare tire carrier got jammed. Had to use a cutting torch. Will never buy another. EVER!!!! Next one will be a Toyota .

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  Dont buy a trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By BONBON1977 - January 28 - 2:23 pm

  I do not recommend this vehicle. I have had nothing but problems with it. I have issues with the headlights dimming when I apply the brakes, the buttons on the radio have chipped off, the leather seats were worn after about 4 months, as well as weather stripping problems and turn signal malfunctions. Just to name a few of the problems.Eventhough I had an extended warranty, GM found reasons to cover none of my problems. I wanted an SUV and was excited when I bought this one as I thought I was buying a vehicle that I would love and drive for many years. Now Im just looking forward to the day that I can trade it in for something else and not have to roll negative equity into my next vehicle.