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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  Very Disapointed - 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Charley - December 24 - 8:06 am

  I bought my Monte Carlo expecting a great car like the Firebirds of old. I felt the engine and transmission were very good. The fit and finish inside the car was very bad. The dash had a big gap in it and the dealer said they would do nothing about it. The care had three steering shafts put into it. The steering had a problem that Chevrolet knew was there but the fix they had for the collapsible steering shaft was only a temporary fix and the noise and feel of a click would come back after a few thousand miles. The diver seat was loose and the dealer said this was normal. I traded it for a Toyota corolla and am very happy with that car. I had five Trans Ams of old but never a GM product again.

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  Van from hell - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By Frankt - December 22 - 11:26 pm

  Bought used at 42k miles. I am stickler for servicing. At 80k, trainy went and had to rebuild front of engine. Electrical short causes brake lights to blow fuse and knock out lights- spent over $800 and still not fixed. Water pump has went twice now and replacing is a major ordeal and very expensive as its impossible to get to. These are the big problems. Never buy this van at any cost. In the long run the repairs will cost you more!

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  Never Again - 1995 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Neveragain - December 22 - 11:09 pm

  This was the worst car I have ever owed. I was stranded many times due do the EGR issue. I have 16 service write-ups for the same issue and this does not include the times I had to immediately return to dealer because problem was not fixed or car died when exiting dealers service area. This vehicle was purchased new and it was a piece of junk. When I finally got rid of it I had to have it towed to the dealer. This was a common problem that GM was aware and they were not helpful.

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  Problems - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By mekastle - December 7 - 4:09 pm

  We are having to replace the brakes every 20,000 miles. Dealer says that is normal. GM says they stand behind dealer. Would be unsafe to stand in front because brakes dont work. At same visit, tech says brakes shot, service manager says brakes ok. Three months later, brakes and rotor have to be replaced. GM says believe dealer? Two different stories, how can they believe both? I will never buy another GM product no matter how much I like the design. Nice to look at, practical design does not get me where I am going. If GM blindly accepts whatever the dealer says, I do not trust them and will no longer deal with them. No tears from me in they go bankrupt, maybe they deserve it.

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  Dont like it at all - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By leslie - December 6 - 3:13 am

  This car is too noisy, uncomfortable, interior is very cheap. Not to mention the fact that I had it in 2 times the first month I purchased it, now I just had a u-joint and part of the rear differential.

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  Dont Buy It! - 2002 Chevrolet Astro
  By fire44 - December 2 - 2:22 pm

  Unless you have a large family and you intend to tow more than the typical mini-van will allow, dont buy one. With just 35,000 mi. Im already having mechanical problems. Weve replaced the ignition, "U" joint and the water pump. There is something else that is making noise under the hood that I havent tracked down yet and the front end will need work in the very near future. It gets poor fuel economy when compared to other mini-vans and really is not a comfortable vehicle to drive.

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  Itll get me by for a while. - 1997 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tommy - November 29 - 5:27 am

  I bought it because it was cheap and I needed a little work truck/commuter. The tranny has been replaced, the AC has a leak but works if charged, the gas guage doesnt work so I have to keep an eye on mileage (270 miles per tank on average 15-16 MPG in town) The driver door spring broke off but the door still works. The ball joints need to be replaced, and the engine leaks oil pretty bad. Other than that the engine runs strong (especially after injector cleaner added to fuel). Overall, I dont mind my little beater, but it is definitely a short term solution.

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  The new Colorado is a Vega - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Lee Hook - November 26 - 1:19 am

  Remember the cardboard and plastic Vega or Pinto from the 70s? Well they are reborn as the Chevy Colorado. Mine is the 4 door. Not even 3 months off the lot and even after the magic coating the dealership sold me a bird dropping ate through the clearcoating and the paint. The warranty isnt worth the paper its written on. This is the last chevy anyone in my family will ever own.

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  Cant wait to be rid of it - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Rick - November 13 - 9:44 pm

  This vehicle has been nothing but problems and repairs. Has 80,000 miles and my mechanic tells me this thing is having problems that shouldnt be happening until well over 100,000 miles. Replaced altenator twice, replaced fuel pump, gauges dont work, every little thing in the passenger compartment rattles when you are going down the road. Started changing oil at 2,000 mile intervals, because of the incredible amount of sludge I had draining from the oil filter when I would change the oil. Just an overall piece of junk.

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  Do not Buy - 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
  By bmiller1881 - November 9 - 6:00 am

  I purchased my chevy equinox and was very excited. Untill it wouldnt start and they had to replace the battery. I have now had it for a year and a half and the car has not started over 8 times, meaning completly dead and have never had an accident. My car is currently being lemon lawed and would not ever consider buying a chevy again.