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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  Rear still hurts - 2002 Chevrolet Blazer
  By chevro-neveragain - May 25 - 1:01 am

  Bad purchase! Car looked great with a 3 year warranty, and nice black paint job. It has been a money pit ever since that first day. Ive had everything replaced ranging from rear wiper pump, to the drivers side door motor, u-joint, both front wheel hubs. The rear trim panel, is fried up. The drivers side seat doesnt work right, rear seat doesnt fold down, handle broke. Water from front windshield leak sitting under passenger side carpet. Loose steering. The car honestly feels like it is going to fall apart when I drive it. Although, its really realible.....for the mechanic.

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  Cheaply made lemon - 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Washingtonian - May 21 - 9:08 am

  At 4 yrs. old this car has developed a number of problems that a car its age should not have. The entire serpentine belt has slipped off and the car periodically stalls when stopped. The trunk latch also broke, a problem the dealership tells me is very common in in the Cavalier. Weve also had smaller annoying problems -- a buzz in the ventilation system, a CD player that skips incessantly, and a fuse issue that causes lights to burn out quickly. Aside from the reliability issue, the car is poorly designed. Sun visors droop low across the windshield over time, the seats are uncomfortable, the cup holders block the climate control, and the roof pillars are in the drivers line of sight.

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  Colorado Not Good - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By James Zapalac - May 18 - 10:16 am

  Too many problems for under 70,000 miles. Cruise control had to be replaced, CD player ate a CD, had to be replaced. Recall on anti- locking brake light, manifold just crack, must be replaced, and AC is about to go out- just a matter of time. American car companies are forcing me to buy foreign. I have never bought a foreign vehicle before, but American made are not reliable.

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  GM NEVER AGAIN! - 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  By NEVER AGAIN! - May 5 - 9:10 am

  I have had a GM car or truck since 1975. My friends point out to me that when you go back you cant complain. But, this car is a new low. After 300 (yes 300) miles the car basically is inoperable. The gauges dont work (except check engine light), no A/C, the message display says "engine hot" yet no heat. Also, there is a vibration in front end. So much for the good new car feeling. After having my car 1 day, the dealer says the problems with "my" car are very interesting. They were unable to diagnose in 1 day. My feelings are that "GMs" problems are very interesting. Maybe I just got "that" car. But, this american will turn to more reliable imports for future purchases

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  Think twice - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Kelly Houston - April 25 - 10:13 pm

  Excessive body roll at any speeds above 55MPH. Multiple recalls on critical systems. Sound system stinks with no tone control unless you like rap. Ride is smooth at all speeds just dont turn fast. Shift points are poor and slow. It is like driving a boat, smooth but no control. If you test drive any TrailBlazer drive it at 65MPH or higher and carefully try fast lane changes.

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  Do not buy this car! - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By Andreana - April 24 - 10:21 am

  This car is not built for our environment. Sure its good on gas but its not reliable. I bought my car new, and its been in the shop 13 times in 2 1/2 years. They have gone into my engine twice to fixe problems, and had to rebuild it. Ive had 4 different oil leaks my a/c has been fixed 3 times, my brakes were coming loose and the list goes on. So please if you are reading this do not buy this car! Its a cute car but its not worth the trouble.

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  Maintenance not worth the price - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ed - April 23 - 1:39 pm

  Drives like a bad truck. Didnt hit 20,000 before repair costs started hitting. Now at 45,000 miles replaced axles, replaced wheel bearings, replaced CV boots, replaced blower motor, replaced intake manifold, replaced alternator and battery. Front differential fluid leak, oil leak. Drivers side door squeaks. Avoid this car, unless youre buying my used one.

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  This SUV stinks - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Cameron Green - April 12 - 1:03 pm

  My wife and I bought this new and within three months it was in the shop for a loud noise in the engine compartment. After four tries the body shop guy drove it and found the problem. Part of the inside body kit was not put on right at facotry. Not long after that problem was fixed this piece of junk started stalling out on my wife at 60mph. Six times to the dealership, couldnt find problem, I suggested throttle body and sensors. Finally problem fixed when the throttle body and mass air flow sensor got replaced. Will not buy another Chevy.

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  I hate my 2011 silverado - 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By duffy74 - April 11 - 12:56 pm

  I have had noting but disappointments from my 2011 silverado i purchased new. From the bed rails that dent from falling acorns to brakes that overheat when the truck is empty, simply exiting the freeway???? you cant pump gas into it because they changed the down angle but no gas stations around me are updated. the traction control button stopped working at 39,000 miles, so I took it appart and found it was super glued together from the factory or dealer I dont know which but definitely cracked/broken plastic bits obviously glued back together???? (are you kidding me??? no I am not) when I asked costumer service they have nothing.

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  There are better choices - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Dokken - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Squeaks and rattles after 8000 lbs. Low residual value. Poor brakes. Poor steering. Power window and lock buttons feel sloppy, junky. Sour odor from HVAC vents due to mold in ducts.