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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  Bad Choice - 2007 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Very Disappointed - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I agree with every bad review on the 2007 Chevy Malibu. I was so excited when I purchased this car November of 2008 and now Im very disappointed. Since having this car, my radio has been replaced with a new one and day later it went bad again. The wheel bearing had to be replaced, the inside dum light too and worst of all like every other 07 Chevy Malibu my power steering column has went bad after 88,000 miles costing a little under a 1,000 bucks to be repaired. There is not a recall and I think that that is not fair when buying a car thats only three years old.

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  Pros and cons - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By camaro lover - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Just a beautiful car. Fell in love the second I saw it. From a drivers standpoint, fun to drive. Visibility is not good at all though. Hard to see at stop light if you are anywhere near it, and although I am getting used to it, the visibility while backing up is severely lacking. Perhaps this will get better the more I drive the car, but those are the downfalls. Very quick car, and I cant imagine driving the v8! Overall, definitely worth the purchase and I cant wait until I can take it out and open it up!

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  OMG! What is not wrong with this junk? - 2002 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jacki - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Everything that everyone has been saying. Brakes, fuel pump, brakes, engine, brakes. You get my point.

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  Air Conditioner Compressor burned out - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By RB - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought the 2007 Impala with less than 12,000 miles. Right after the 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty expired the AC Compressor burns out. This is a $1400 repair. Why would something this major break down within 3 years of owning the vehicle? I called Chevrolet customer care for advice and hopefully cost assistance since this is obviously a manufacturer defect but they were UNWILLING to consider the problem might be because of the poor quality of their vehicle. Bottom line: I would not recommend this vehicle or any Chevrolet because of their poor quality and pathetic customer service.

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  Plenty of minor defects - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By julia - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my "dream Equinox" in December 2009 from a dealer in serramonte boulevard, colma last december 2009. It was fun to drive but in May 2010 they sent a letter telling that there was a minor recall for the defrost system, that was my 1st disappointment, and in October 2010, the lumbar adjustment was broken, it didnt work at all, the mechanic told me that the screw was sheared off, I was in a total disaster, because it never happened to my other Japanese cars, plus I have a back pain, so the lumber adjustment is so crucial to me, I have to say, I will not recommend this car at all, I will get back to my Honda or Mitsubishi, they are more reliable than this car.

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  I miss my - 2002 Chevrolet Tracker
  By ScarlettMaryeForever - November 1 - 2:00 am

  My mother bought this car when we were in need of another car, after i had gotten my license. I was Rear ended at a stop. this car was crushed, totaled. but i was completely safe, it saved my life. all that i got was a few cuts and bruised. This car did save my life, if i was in any other type of vehicle i would have been killed on spot. I miss this thing. "my Little Monster"

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  Couldnt wait to get rid of it. - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Keith - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Great car, fun to drive, but it is NOT an everyday car. Its HUGE, difficult to see out of. If you blow a tire you have to have it towed -- no tire only a blow up kit. Got rid of mine after a few months. It is a gas hog, but you should expect that. I liked it, but I could not wait to get rid of it, and sadly it does NOT hold its value for it to be one of the most talked about cars of recent times. I will admire them from the distance now, but never will recommend that someone buys one.

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  Impala Review - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By Sw - October 31 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle brand new with on 26 miles on. I had all maintenance performed at the dealership & still do. At 70, 000 miles the vehicle started experiencing problems with the ABS & Traction Control while turning or slowing down at low speed. Also the instrument cluster stopped working i.e. speedometer, thermostat gauge, engine Rpm monitor. I had the thermostat replaced under warranty. GM should invest in better parts for a more reliable vehicle. Other than that I travel daily through 3 cities & the veh gets good mileage on the hwy.I would purchase another one only if GM modified their parts! This is the 2nd GM veh I have owned both brought new with the same problems, no more!

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  Loved my Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By mrsgaylonj - October 31 - 2:00 am

  I currently have 97,000 miles on my car and in all that time the ONLY repair/maintenance Ive ever had to do was new tires, new left motor mount, front brakes and a new wire for the passenger side front headlight. All these that I just listed were done w/in the last 8000 miles. Ive had 0 tranny issues. It is super comfy, fast, durable, handles well. We just had a baby so just traded it in for a new Escape, but I will miss it. It has by far been my favorite vehicle Ive ever owned!

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  A+ engine in a base model not good - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By tbssdarkwing - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I had the rear compressor replaced, rear air ride adjusted, a bunch of trim pieces replaced, radio, driver side speakers, shifter was loose, power steering pump replaced, oil pan gasket replaced, rear differential is grinding, alternator replaced, all weather stripping replaced, steering sensor replaced, and rear bow tie fell off lol come on GM!! what is going on? I love Chevy, but the SS should of had their own parts and much more top of the line not "LS" or "LT" versions. Either you have an SS or ya dont.