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:

• 

  good truck - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By franly said - February 22 - 10:00 am

  This is the best big suv. None of the fancyness of the Range Rover or others, but it has that rugged American feel. The ride is good for a vehicle like this.

• 

  Junk transmission/Fuel pump failures - 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Honda fan - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Actually a 1996 with 196,000 miles - Two transmissions - fuel pump failure in middle of nowhere - replacement sounds on last legs. Did they just invent a fuel pump and auto transmission OR as I suspect the ever increasing desire to reduce costs. Bought a Honda Pilot - GM could learn a lot from Honda

• 

  Dropped the Ball - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By Famof6 - February 18 - 3:19 pm

  Good overall. Blind spots are a problem, even when you try to check them. Always double-checking them just to be sure. CD player could be better. I like the ability to be able to take seats out for cargo space, but couldnt do it on my own. Definitely a two-person job. Keep taking the van in for creaking noise in steering column. Repair is temporary.

• 

  Poor MPG. - 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
  By D.Eitel - February 18 - 3:19 pm

  Gas mileage is terrible, I get eleven MPG in town. The high back seat makes it near impossible to look out the back window to back up. Power seems to be sufficient and electronic traction control is great. With this gas mileage I would not recommend buying one.

• 

  Beware of this vehicle - 2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Chip - February 16 - 3:40 pm

  The doors rust out on the bottom edge and chevy/gm wont take care of it unless it is through the door rust!!!!!!

• 

  Not bad for a daily commuter - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Biestie - February 15 - 7:35 am

  I bought this car for my daily 75 mile round trip to work. Gas mileage and price was the #1 reason for purchasing Cobalt. In this respect, it does very well. Many people expect great things from a $12000 car, but you get what you pay for here. Interior is as cheap as Ive found in almost any car, but functional. The seats can become uncomfortable if driven more than a few hours. No arm rest. Shallow cup holders. After 45000 miles of harsh MN roads, several rattles have developed including the wiring to the dome light overhead. Front wheel bearing failed at 30k CHEAP Continental tires replaced at 32k Bent front steel wheel after hitting large pot hole at 44k Rear defroster failed at 25k

• 

  way too many problems - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Classic
  By carman001 - February 15 - 6:30 am

  This car is fun to drive and Iv heard the LT is better but the LS I have had way too many problems.

• 

  Transmission Stinks - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Keith trovillion - February 13 - 8:36 am

  The transmission on this vehicle went after only 2 1/2 years, and at 42,000 miles. I dont tow with it, or use it for work. Most of the miles on it are highway, none off road or abusive. Chevy didnt want to know anything. They told me I should have purchased an extended warranty. This in my opinion, is telling me that they know the Chevy Avalanche is substandard and I will have problems with it. I dont know of any car company that backs their product less then Chevrolet. Im very disappointed with Chevy.

• 

  22 times in the shop - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu
  By lives in the shop - February 13 - 1:22 am

  I bought this car new! It was in the shop from week one, which the guys in the service dept have bent over backwards for me. They did not design or build the car, not their fault. The rattle was finally fixed, after the 3rd visit struts replace, strut mounts replaced 2 times in first yr, rack and pinion replaced? steering column sleeve replaced at 34,000 miles visor 2 times radio replaced ac fan motor, Car drifts to left all the time Car is very loud with road, noise brakes are showing signs of issues. Havent taken it back in yet. Headlights shake even if road is smooth. This is my 3rd Malibu and last Chevy.

• 

  Trade offs for mileage - 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By was1 - February 12 - 12:31 pm

  I like the size of the interior, but ergonomically this vehicle is challenged. Keep hitting the 4 wheel drive knob with my knee getting out. No creature comforts such as change holder, sunglass storage, etc. It holds everything I can pack into it. Had the dead battery issue. Had battery changed at my expense because the dealer said it was good. No more battery issue. I have 70,000 miles and get 17 MPG. The way to do it is coast on every downhill stretch of road, even the short ones. Coast to every red light. Need tires now. Had uneven tire wear but got 70,000 via frequent rotation. So far no mechanical problems. The seals are poor and the ride is loud, as everyone else has said.