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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  Stressed - 1996 Chevrolet Beretta
  By jan - July 11 - 10:31 pm

  This car was awful. Problems with the headlights. The alternator went out three times while I had it. The ABS system, continued to have problems squeaking, and grabbing. The road noise so bad, I was glad when I reached my destination just for the silence. Issues, issues, issues. I was so very stressed waiting for that moment I knew was coming, she died in an intersection, with me by her side, glad shes gone

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  Not Quite Sure - 2005 Chevrolet Aveo
  By agrzeskowiak - July 11 - 9:17 am

  I fell in love with this car before I bought it. Was told it was 1 of a few that were painted key lime green from the factory. After driving it for about a month maybe 2 it seems to feel like something is bent somewhere. Car seems to have vibrations and interior door handles are loose. As also the black appliques on the rear doors is buckling. I have gone back to the dealership in May of 06 to get these fixed they are still ordering parts and have not heard from them.

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  Real rough ride - 2006 Chevrolet Colorado
  By tim danaher - July 8 - 12:16 am

  This is the extreme package lowered frame. Need a kidney belt between 60 and 72 MPH. Severice dept says it is because of the extended cab and the lowered suspension. It gives me motion sickness to drive more than 30 or so miles.

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  TrailBlazer - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By sarah - July 3 - 12:25 pm

  Very roughly made. Ceiling around sunroof already falling in at 3k miles. Not much space in console for anything. Cup holders do not work well.

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  Could be better - 1998 Chevrolet Astro
  By Bertha - June 30 - 6:47 pm

  Our 98 Astro seems to always need something fixed. Many of the up-keep has been expensive due to the area of parts on the van. At 115,000 miles, we were told its transmision is on its way out. Great. Would I buy this vehicle again? No way.

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  another bad car - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By scordy - June 26 - 10:00 am

  i have a 2003 chevy hd 2500, i hav had it in the shop more than not. i have gon through 2 transmissions, one alternator, one starter, and it is now having troubel with the cooling system. all at 12,000 miles

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  Agree w/Good Frosting, Bad Cake - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By CM 2000 malibu - June 25 - 5:04 pm

  Ive had nothing but problems after I bought this car. Water coolant light come on corrrectly because antifreeze did leak. Manifold replaced. Hazard light switch replaced because it caused electrical problems with turn signals. Still havent fiqured out why theres some interference with the CD playing. Automatic Transmission, had something replaced because it wouldnt shift into reverse sometimes. Rotors&pads trash. From the looks I thought I liked but engine is trash. Other reviews on this site that okay this car because the problems they had were covered under warrant dont make sense. A problem is a problem even if under warranty. Wait till the warranty runs out and you find more problems. Ive owned Chevys before and loved them. Other than the engine & electical& trans problems the cars ok. But the engine is the reason for a car

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  Side impact totaled at 25mph - 2006 Chevrolet Impala
  By Ron - June 25 - 2:33 pm

  I was hit by a vehicle on the passenger side in a 25mph zone and the car went up on two wheels, a tota ! With only 1,000 miles on it, the vehicle was considered worth only just over $18,000. It listed at over $25,000 three weeks earlier. I would never buy a GM product again, espically since I was nearly killed in this one -- air bags never went off either. GM was less than compasionate!

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  Poor Decision - 1999 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Peter - June 6 - 11:18 pm

  I have had this car for a year and a half and commuting. I was very excited when I got it, but then, not so much. I have replaced the spark plugs (3 times and impossible to get at), ignition wires (twice), all three ignition coils, ignition module, drive shaft (have to buy a new 2 piece to replace center bearing, GM doesnt sell the bearing $625, or convert to single piece $180), tires (twice, my fault though), both window motors, clutch, fuel filter, a T-top, catalytic converter, A/C compressor, alternator, battery, rebuilt the transmission. This is insane. I hate this car. I spend more time and money trying to fix it than I do driving.

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  A Bit Disappointing - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Joyce - June 4 - 6:16 pm

  The turning ratio on this vehicle is awful. The interior design to operate windows and exterior windows is awkward. The fuel mileage is terrible; we are so surprised that we got hoodwinked into buying this vehicle using a beautiful Cadillac as a tradein. What a ripoff; were contemplating unloading it prior to the smartbuy expiration.