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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  Disappointed - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Disappointed - November 22 - 5:53 pm

  Nothing but trouble. In less than three years, the cruise control quit working, as did the speedometer, antilock brakes, power door locks, and the gas guage. The front end will not stay aligned, even when mainly driven on highways. No lumbar support in the front seats no leg room in the rear seats. This vehicle has cost more in repairs than many vehicles total purchase and ownership costs. Biggest automotive mistake Ive ever made.

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  Great space and ride, poor reliability - 2012 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Kenneth - November 16 - 10:51 am

  Ive had this car since new, and now have about 75k miles on it. Here is a list of issues Ive had with the vehicle: 1) Computer issue forced the car into limp mode repeatedly - this occurred periodically between 20-30k miles. Took three service repairs before they replaced the computer and the problem went away. It once happened while I was on the highway, forcing me onto the shoulder - car would flash all sorts of warnings and then go into limp mode, and on a few occasions I would smell gas. Shutting down and restarting would reset it. 2) A/C line leak - the first time this happened the car was under warranty - probably around 30k miles. There was a hissing noise from the vent followed by the A/C stopping working. Warranty replacement of the lines (the whole line) fixed the problem. Now at 73k miles the problem has occurred again - same exact issue; 3) Radio stopped working - AM stations come in, but FM does not indicating that its likely a problem with the tuner. Its hard to beat this car for cargo space, and its a great hauler of people and things, but the maintenance issues have been horrendous.

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  Poorly made truck - 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By J Ballard - November 15 - 9:50 am

  I only have 1100 miles on my truck and it already has major problems! Ive been into the dealership several times and they say theres nothing they can do and GM wont do anything either. The interior is CHEAP, the climate control has electrical problems, the truck leans noticibly to one side,& the transmission has major issues. It clunks & slams into gear like a 20 yr old truck. The leather has more defects than I can count. I am very sorry I bought this truck. I feel like I am stuck with a lemon.

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  Lemon Hall-of-Fame!! - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By andslat - November 14 - 1:52 am

  Well all I have to say is...RUN! Do not buy this vehicle! We bought this vehicle brand-new & we bought it because of the 0%/60mos finacing offered by GMAC. Next time I would suck up the interest and buy foreign, or at least anything but GM! Intake manifold is the latest & greatest of our problems..awaiting final estimate! Many electrical problems, poor fuel mileage, rear hatch handle broke, rear windshield fluid replaced several times, cup-holders broken, etc. I am a "religious upkeep snob" on cars & take great care of my vehicles, but it doesnt matter in this case because GMs major engineering flaws. If you claim to love this vehicle...just wait, your day will come! BIG MISTAKE!

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  Totally inferior product - 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By dan-o - November 11 - 6:33 pm

  Ive never owned a GM product, and based on this purchase, I never will again. At 45K miles, the dash panels are coming apart, rattling, & squeaking. Annoying squeaking has developed in the front suspension, and a disconcerting grinding noise is coming from the engine compartment at startup. I found a gap between the interior roof liner and the door edge that I can fit my finger through. What a disappointing example of American auto manufacturing. Im going to sell it, get a Honda, and not feel one bit of sorrow for GMs current troubles.

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  What A Dissappointment - 1999 Chevrolet Blazer
  By ferromaximus - November 2 - 8:57 pm

  Once again, my love for all things big and tough has fooled me again. Dont let this truck fool you. I got the zr2 package because I wanted the big, tough look of this truck. Ive had nothing but problems. Every time I take it in for an oil change, its costing me over $1000 to fix it. Its a 99 and I only have 55k miles on it, and it acts like theres 150k on it. New alternator, ball joints, bearings, rear brakes completely redone, front differential just went on it ($2500-$3000 new). Im ready to sign off trucks all together, but need them for the snow up here in NY. Interior rattles and shakes and is very cheaply put together. What an embaressment to GM. Do not buy this junker!

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  Equinox a Bust - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Jeff - October 29 - 10:16 pm

  Gas mileage is poor, only average 12mpg. The seats stain with water. It has a horrible turning radius, and more rattles than a can with marbles. Cheap interior finish. All painted interior surfaces are scratched or peeling off. Has a terrible radio, have a hum in the rear.

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  Malibu is trash - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Bryce - October 24 - 11:26 pm

  More problems than words to type. Numerous electrical issues, numerous brake problems, failing intake gaskets. Never waste your money on one of these vehicles... You may save money on price of vehicle, but will spend 20 times as much on repairs.

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  Deceptively Good - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By auroura - October 23 - 5:18 pm

  When I first looked at the Malibu it seemed that it was a great deal for a fairly reliable car. Unfortuneatly, I didnt research it very well ahead of time. Since purchasing the car I have had 2 MAJOR problems. I have had the fuel manifold leak engine fluid into my oilpan and was unable to get the problem diagnosed properly until I suggested that the problem might be the manifold, and I have a big electrical problem where my turn signal somehow got crossed with my CD player and brake electronics. It was very strange because when I would put on my brakes, my turn signal would start up, or if it was already on, would skip of few blinks. Overall, be careful and make sure you get a warranty.

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  Chevy Junk - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By dale3568 - October 23 - 5:40 am

  I bought this car on July 3rd 06 and it has been in the shop most of the time since. It is the sorriest made car I have ever had. The first day I had it the door lock broke and the temp gauge went crazy. I have had the seat worked on several times. I will never buy another American made car they are junk.