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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  I really like it - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By ds - August 28 - 9:02 pm

  Ive heard a lot of negative comments about previous year models, but Ive had no problems with my Equinox. Its roomy, but not to big to manuever. Back seat is great. Great options and decent gas mileage.

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  Very Disappointed - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By araphel - August 28 - 7:54 pm

  Ive owned this 97 sub SLT for three years. In that time, Ive spent $5000 in repairs and it now needs another $2000. This vehicle has really made me doubt General Motors desire to remain in business. Little things that should be easy to fix end up being expensive. What happened to "built like a rock?"

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  Chevys Top Car - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Ilana - August 28 - 4:56 pm

  I was thinking about leasing a new car between the Altima, Accord, Malibu And the Camry, after my test drive on all, I chose the Malibu. I felt like I was driving a Lincoln when it came to comfort, the exterior styling is a beautiful combination of modern class. I dont stop hearing compliments on my car. Im sorry Toyota and Nissan theres nothing to compare. GM must continue the good work in order to get their reputation back, because I keep on hearing from my friends that the reason they dont want any American brand car is because theyre unreliable. My recent car was a Camry and it was full of problems. Thank God I only leased it. I think its time to give a second chance!

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  Super-pleased!! - 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By John Kriewaldt - August 28 - 10:40 am

  I traded off my 2012 Ford F150 for the Silverado 1500 crew cab, in January. It came with the V-6. I am super-pleased. the 4x4 mode works smoothly. The OnStar navigation , the satellite radio system, and the dual-zone climate control are all excellent. The V-6 has more than enough power for all my needs, which include towing my ATV trailer and my aluminum runabout boat. Unlike the Ford 3.5 liter V-6, which relies on high RPM for its power, the bigger block 4.6 of the Chev has way more low RPM torque and power. Hence you dont have the high RPM screaming of the Ford, nor do you have the incessant up and down and up shifting of the Fords six speed transmission. The Chev gives you the sensation that you are driving a bigger, heavier truck. I am very anal retentive about gas mileage. Every gallon of gas I have bought since 1982 is recorded in my little note books! I can safely say that the heavier Chev, with the bigger block V-6, gives me minimally about 1.5 more MPG for local driving and 2 to 2.5 more MPG for trip driving! I highly recommend the Silverado Crew Cab 1500 4x4 with the V-6 and the base level trailering package!

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  Excellent Truck - 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By halovaulter - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought my truck in May 31 2003 and have put 6000 miles on my truck. The truck runs great, its quiet, and smooth. I got the V8 4.8L option and it gives me all the performance and power I need. Have only had a squeaking door.

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  Dont Buy This Car... - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By jnagle - August 28 - 9:37 am

  There honestly isnt a single thing that makes this car worth buying. The body is starting to rust and the clear coat on the rims is gone. The cat went at 60k and they refused to fix it b/c it wasnt setting of the codes but the car was undrivable. The damage from the car killed my engine, now I get 19mpg/highway. Now at 85k the tranny is going. Car shifts hard in between gears and engine makes a high pitched sound???

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  Great SUV if your not afrqid of gas prices - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By sandy - August 28 - 5:06 am

  I love my TrailBlazer, the extended version. Great family car seats 7. Great in the winter weather. I hate that I have to turn it in in July, but I cant afford the gas. But dont judge by me, as I am a single parent. So with a family with two incomes dont be afraid its a great vehicle!

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  Best Family Sedan Value - 2009 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Lee - August 28 - 2:13 am

  I cant believe how nice this car is for the money- smooth,quiet,beautiful,great mileage. Ive had Camrys Accords C- class MBs that were all great but this GM product is as good if not better than any for overall value and quality.

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  Good God! - 2008 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bouree - August 27 - 10:10 pm

  I had a Honda for transportation and a Harley for fun. My father had just bought an 04 convertible and I had my first drive in it two weeks ago. I got the bug. I test drove an 07 and didnt feel much more power than the 04. Plus the interior was cheesy. Drove the 08 LT1 and and when I punched it the first time, an involuntary expletive burst out of my mouth. I could not believe that this car was street legal. The LS3 engine is night and day from the LS2. Plus, the interior was much nicer. I couldnt wait for an LT2 or 3 and bought it that day. Run, dont walk to the dealership and get one of these. You wont regret it.

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  Sold on Suburbans - 1995 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Sam - August 27 - 6:08 pm

  I love my Suburban. It has been very solid, with no real issues for over 7 years. Therer have been the expected battery, alternator replacements, that wear out over the years. Ive got 230k miles and its still great for hauling my crew around, and I trust it over long hauls still.