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 - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By getit - January 13 - 6:12 pm

  I bought this car for company use in 2006. It is now 2009 and this car has pretty much been replaced. The tire monitor system constantly breaks, the hot air only works at 1500+rpms both fenders have been replaced, the tires wore out at 30,000 miles the gas gauge reads wrong, the paint is bad, the fuel tank had to be replaced, two injecters went bad. My MAF went bad, the driver seat ripped, the wood trim inside fell off, the rear speakers dont work, the engine makes alot of noise at idle and shakes bad at idle, the RPM gauge is faulty, the car idles to high, the power seats dont work, my rack went bad followed by my power steering pump, had tranny problems, and a ton more

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  Disappointed in the cars reliability. - 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By NYC Geezer - January 13 - 2:06 am

  I bought the car new in 2001 and still have it. Its initial appeal was all the standard features for the price compared to other small cars where almost every desired feature was an expensive option. Although I maintained the car very well to this day, it had its share of rattles & clunking noises from the day I first drove it. Fortunately, I bought an extended warranty when my 3 year/36000 mile new car warranty expired, because the car needed some very expensive mechanical repair work after the Chevy warranty expired. As a retiree on a fixed budget, I cant afford expensive repairs or a new car every several years, so Im thankful this car lasted till now, but no more GM compact cars for me!

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  Problematic! - 2008 Chevrolet Equinox
  By J Powers - January 12 - 12:06 pm

  Within days of purchase realized the motor was too loud. Dealership said that was normal only to rescind that point of view a week later when we took a stand that it was unacceptable. Vehicle in the shop more than 2 weeks while they tore the motor down and discovered a bent connector rod. All fixed up at no additional cost to us, but not very impressed with a rebuild on my new vehicle. Recent problems include the inside windows actually frosting up and staying covered in ice despite the blowers going full tilt....again dealership indicated this is a problem with these types of vehicles. Wonderful news. To top it off, this morning the thing wouldnt start! Towed to the dealership again.

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  Problematic - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By JONJON - January 12 - 2:21 am

  Has gone through two manual transmissions, radiator replaced, rear end bearings went out, druveshaft couplings relaced, PCM replaced(water damage, bad design under window sill where water runs right onto it). Seats stink, absolutely the worst design for neck support. Rear seat is worthless. Very noisy car. I wear ear plugs its so loud. Driving lights are useless. Positive side, fast and handles well. Very bad car to drive in winter, no traction control on mine at least. Recommend a second car, this being only used for summer or dry conditions.

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  Woes of a Tahoe - 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By CDH - January 10 - 7:38 pm

  First GM in years. Came from a 08 Chevy classic truck. Bought this one sight unseen due to color prefrence. Tahoe was built in Arlington assembally plant. Very poor build job, had to adjust tailgate latch to get it to close, adjusted all doors and folding seats for smoother operation. Very poor rear seating quality, jamming is a problem when folding. Been in shop 4 times for electronic problems, intermittent failures of 4 wheel drive, Stabilitrac/Trac control. Looks like side molding tape will pull loose soon. Dealer claims wiring harness was routed wrong and was the cause of electronic faults. Again poor build quality. My suggestion would be to get your Tahoe from another assembally plant.

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  Never again GM! - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By japauley - January 9 - 3:51 pm

  I was so looking forward to buying this vehicle. Then I did. I had to tell the salesman the specs on the Equinox. GMs SmartBuy program is a joke. You have to pay them to take the vehicle back if you decide you dont want it! The tires went bald at 15k miles. Then it took 3 months to find tires! The service engine soon light comes on every 4-5 starts and Chevy says just to ignore it, rather than figure out what causes it. They want $13k after 4 years for the vehicle when it goes straight to auction for $5k. Gas mileage is not what they advertised! I get 11-16 mpg. Its supposed to get 19-25. Ill never buy another GM since I can get a much better vehicle for less than what I paid on this one

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  Wow, I bought it twice? - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By kerocky24 - January 8 - 6:48 pm

  This car gives me problems all the time. It rattles, it clanks, and its falling apart. I had one shortly before this one. I should have known when it burst in to flames that it was a bad Idea to buy another. Live and learn huh? The car leaks oil, the speedometer is broken, (it dances as Im going down the road) I have replaced the fuel injectors 2 times in the last year, (I know other Cavaliers that have fuel leaking!) The seats are so uncomfortable. The suspension stinks. I have tried to keep up with this car but have decided to drive it till it dies. My car has some miles on it but thats no excuse!

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  You get what you pay for - 2008 Chevrolet HHR
  By Murgatriyd - January 8 - 12:07 pm

  Serves its purpose for my wifes business. Very good cargo room with the seats folded down. Decent interior room. We looked at everything in that class that was under 20 thousand and this seemed like the best.

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  Reliability Problems - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ted - January 8 - 10:31 am

  I have a 2006 3.9 engine. 66,000 business miles in 2.5 years. Transmission, front end bearings, water pump, tire sensors, sway bar, all have failed. I like the car, but too many repairs. All dealership repairs. No explanation. I will never buy another Chevy. Thank God its a company car, not too much out of pocket.

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  Regret getting this as first car - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By jmpettey3 - January 5 - 4:36 pm

  This vehicle was amazing when i first purchased it. But then it went downhill from there. Once one thing broke down. Then another. I had parts quitting on me one right after another. I have practically replaced all major parts. Getting ready to replace the alternator.