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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  Junk - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Skreamz - July 16 - 2:02 am

  I bought this car back in 2007. it had 21K miles on it. head gasket replaced at 24K miles on it. Master switch for window controls replaced at 28K. Intake manifold gasket replaced at 51K. The motor cuts out at 107mph. GM could have done a lot better with their vehicles. I will buy Japanese next time.

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  Transmission - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Henry - July 16 - 1:04 am

  Purchased the vehicle at 10 miles. Enjoyed the vehicle for almost three years when I started to have problems with the transmission. It would not shift properly. Fixed under extended 75,000 warranty. Few months later tranny went bad again. Bad part about I exceeded the coverage under the warranty and the tranny warranty( The rest is history

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  Poor reliability - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Disappointed Owner - July 14 - 5:02 pm

  I bought the car new and discovered the driver side window worked very slow. Dealer replaced motor three times and worked on it on at least 10 visits. Never was fixed! Transmission went out at 70000 miles. Car was never driven hard and perfectly maintained. Numerous problems with emission air motors to the tune of $200 a pop. Had to replace the drivers side hub assembly, (bad bearing), $350. Oil gauge stopped working at 85000 miles. Change oil light very difficult to reset. Rubber seal on back doors had to be re glued twice. Engine runs very well with no problems, have used nothing but synthetic oil for life of car. Radio lighting goes on and off. No Low Fan control for AC or heat.

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  piece of....well you know - 2003 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Carolinagirl - July 12 - 11:17 am

  This was my first actual car and I was so excited...until. I got stranded in the middle of a road trip because of the fuel pump. Then the thermostat went, replaced rotors twice. Leaking coolant, had to replace gaskets and water pump. I havent had the car two years. Locks went weird. Overall its been disappointing to say the least. im in school and cant afford a new car any time soon >:[

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  The mystery igniton problem! - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Robert Reynolds - July 10 - 1:05 am

  The HHR gets great mileage on long trips about 33mpg, however mine is a manual transmission. The interior needs more cup holders there are only three right down the center console. So with that said there are two in the front and only one in the back for rear passengers. This is a very fun car to drive and is very soild like a truck but rides like a car.

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  No Spare Tire or Donut .. Really! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By disappointed MOM - July 7 - 10:22 pm

  Lots of good features, but safety and reliability are my main concern, so when I discovered that my brand new traverse, not an inexpensive vehicle, does not include a spare tire, a donut or even a place to attach one, I was shocked. It doesnt really matter that onstar can send help if you have a flat.. If you have no tire, and have to towed, what are the occupants of this 7 passenger vehicle to do? wait by the side of the road? taxis are often not available in rural areas. For this kind of money, I am just appalled that gm would even produce a vehicle without BASIC family saftey items such as a spare tire. Moms, families, beware of the danger of being stranded at all times.

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  Wish I had know more details about vehicle - 2014 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Over 60 - July 4 - 1:38 am

  I was very disappointed after purchasing my 2014 Equinox. I had owned a Hyundai Santa Fe for 10 years and loved it. After researching decided to go with Chevrolet in 2013. It is so difficult to get in the drivers seat. At first I was constantly hitting my head. I have learned to bend down to get in. There is no room in the drivers seat. The console goes to the back. Hard to reach the lid to close. When going to an ATM, it is impossible to reach out the window. It is very difficult for passengers to get in and out of passenger side. Seats slope on sides and are hard. I have owned the vehicle for 2 years and looking to replace it. It will be my first vehicle I will not drive for 10 years!

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  glad they dont make them anymore - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By mart - July 3 - 9:27 pm

  at 47000 miles head gasket,water pump.thermostat had to be replaced.at 55000 miles fuel pump had to be replaced,located inside of fuel tank,oil filter is in a bad location,air conditioner has stop working.when car does run it runs good and get good gas mileage.

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  Wanted more, it is what it is! - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By The Rig - July 2 - 7:16 pm

  I will say that the exterior of the vehicle is hands down the best of all the compact trucks on the market. I was also very surprised at how much room this truck has for my boys car seat in this roomy crew. The Tacoma just did not have that kind of room. Though here is where it goes wrong for me. The truck just seems cheaply made. From the cheap looking interior, to the rough fit of the doors. I was spoiled with my 03 Honda Accord and just need to remember I guess, that this vehicle is American made, and it is what it is.

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  Disappointed - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Susan - July 2 - 1:23 pm

  I purchased this vechicle after researching it for months. I am disappointed in the interior features. The gas mileage is nowhere close to what the mpg on the stickers says. Bad gas mileage. It is noisy on rough surface roads. The interior materials are cheap even in the LT. I have owned Chevrolet cars, vans, pickups and SUVs. I must say I am very disappointed with the Equinox. Not much bang for your buck.