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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  GM WONDERS WHY THERE SELLS ARE DOWN - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By deerslayer - December 21 - 4:14 pm

  I have owend gm for a very long time have 6 of them now but this car is just trouble traction control problems ,brakes ,wheel play,hubs replaced 2 times,the dash stays light up with problems all the time I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER CAR LIKE THIS FROM THEM AGAIN GOOD LUCK GM IM GONE

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  I got dupped - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By PBG278 - December 21 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was great the first few months of ownership, but as time progressed my transmission started giving me problems. A few trips to the dealership for service and they found nothing wrong. Then the electrical systems completely gave out. After that was fixed, I found out by being pulled over that the vehicles brake lights werent working. Needless to say, I no longer own a Chevy. Im a Ford man now...

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  Leaves you stranded! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Notworthit - December 12 - 1:23 pm

  Bought this car new off the lot for my son. If you want it to last more than 70k, then dont get it. Has left him stranded from work, school, and home 5 times. Crank Shaft sensor at 60k, Radiator problems at 65k, engine blew at 70k, and transmission shifting problems at 71k. Not worth the headache for an "American car" that has parts from Korea. Should have purchased a honda/toyota but unfortunately they didnt offer smaller cars back in 04. Never will I buy an American car again, completely unreliable and of course it all happens after the warrenty runs out. Bought new for $14,200 and have put in $3000 in repairs in the last 3 years! Thats not normal!

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  Bye-bye, Chev! Never again... - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Blazerhater - December 5 - 12:06 am

  Afvter the amount of issues with this vehicle - and past GMs - I will NEVER purchase another General Motors product. Right now I am replacing my third water pump. I have spent enough money at dealerships to have purchased this vehicle twice now. I have had seven things blow in the last 6 months - rear window wiper motor, water pump, ignition module, idler arm, vacuum heater, transmission, mirror console - and three oil leaks from somewhere. Always changed oil to reccomendations and always dealer serviced once per year.

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  2001 chevy s-10 2.2 j. motor - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By jessie fritz - November 28 - 2:02 pm

  The ride quality is not very good ,needs more power for such a heavy truck with an automatic 4 banger (120hp isnt enough).even with a 4 cyl. it still gets horrible gas mileage. (15mpg)I like the styling though, wish i had a 4.3 with the zq8 suspension. the ball joints go bad and my door hinge pins need replaced and at 96k miles it already has seal leaks all over the engine. I like the style of truck. A good truck for the money i guess.

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  Dont waste your money! - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By smcclain - November 27 - 1:27 pm

  I bought this car new and have had nothing but problems with the wheel bearings, breaks, keyless entry, starter/ignition, cat converter (3x), turn signals, power window switch (2x), engine seals replaced (2x), fuel gauge, emergency flasher switch, low coolant sensor (2x), and the list could go on...

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  Horrible Car - 2005 Chevrolet Malibu
  By cbourke - November 12 - 10:28 am

  I HATE this car! I bought it with only 2400 miles on it and have had it only 9 months. I have had more problems than I ever had with my 2001 Civic after 120K miles. I now have 19,000 miles and have had to get new rotors at 8,000 miles. I have been to the dealership 5 times because the car randomly turns off when I stop at redlights. The dealerships claims they cant duplicate the problem so they cant fix it. The car jolts real bad when driving at a steady 50 mph. Again the dealership "cant duplicate the problem" I demanded reprogramming of the computer and so far I have not had many problems, but then again it has only been a months since the reprogramming. Paint has also worn off radio.

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  sad - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By never again - November 9 - 9:02 pm

  well i have had this truck 6 months its been it the shop 7 times a/c control head,vent door was sticking, headlights holding water, and then the motor blew up. dealership kept my truck 33days to replace a motor.

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  Warning....I should Have leased It - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Edward Caldwell - November 6 - 12:33 am

  This FWD Equinox had a definite stability problem, swaying left to right at even speeds and level roadway. Driver and front side passenger as well as rear passenger experience " Bobble Head" feeling, not quite car sick but slightly light headed dealer checked all struts and swaybars, allegedly all OK. Steering is terrible giving the feeling of not being in control of vehicle. GM advised no recalls or service bulletins on this problem. Vehicle was traded in at only 4000 miles use for a Chrysler Pacifica and at a loss of approximately $8000.00 Lemon law not applicable because GM denies problem exists, therefore Dealer cannot repair. Friends with the AWD did not experienced any of the above.

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  Horrible Quality - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By B - October 31 - 9:23 pm

  This car has horrible build quality. I have to be back to the dealer at least one time per month to have something fixed. My car has leaked water inside of it already and it didnt even have 9000 miles on it! Do not buy this car at all. Do yourself a favor an buy an import!!! Also have you even seen the safety ratings for this car, side impact is terrible without side- airbags, which the 08s most have on them, I wonder why that is.............