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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  TRNSFMD - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By HC4 - January 11 - 9:00 am

  Had a 67 with a 327 with a powerglide. The 2010 v6 is so much more fun to drive. To my taste, the horizontal lines and exaggerated rear quarter panel make the car -- bold and voluptuous. The V6 wont burn them out like my mothers 85 IROC with a vette motor, but it sticks to the pavement even better and is a blast to drive. This is my daily driver. If Chevy restores the Z28 program, I would be tempted to custom order another for the garage. Good job Chevy.

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  My first truck - Excellent Choice - 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By THOMAS - January 11 - 5:41 am

  Went to the dealer and drove a fully loaded 2007 Silverado Classic and also the 2007 Avalanche. No comparison, the ride was extremely smooth and with included and removable lockable cover, ease of conversion to 8 truck bed as well as Active Fuel Management (idles to 4 cylinders on the highway) - it was a no brainer. Would be nice to have more cab storage, but couldnt have gotten a better buy for the money. Getting 18mpg in town and 20 on the highway.

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  Monte SS - 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Mr E - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car and so far has been nothing but fun fun fun. The car had 68,000 miles even though the car is almost 10 years old, but when I say well kept! No problems so far except for the warning orange light for tire pressure that stays on which Im used to now. I would love for Chevy to build more SSs such as the Monte Carlo and the Impala for 2011.

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  A4 Quattro to Cruze 1LT - 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
  By WNBear - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I was looking to trade in my 2006 Audi A4 1.8T 6sp/MT Quattro on something that was economical, fun to drive, sharp looking and comfy. The Audi was getting to be a repair nightmare! The Cruze hits all of those points spot on! While its not an AWD, with the Stabili-Trac and Traction Control, I think Ill be ok in the snow here in Denver. This car gets looks everywhere I go, maybe because its one of only five that have been sold in Denver so far? Silver with Jet Black leather. Im even shocked that I dont miss the 6 speed manual tranny! And I have cup holders, 8 of them! The A4 had a total of ZERO! lol

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  Waste of money, constant problems, - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
  By kb - January 10 - 10:25 pm

  Nice to drive. Very unreliable, intake gasket, transmission, waterpump, door handles, drink holder, windshield washer system, power sliding door, power window switches, oxygen sensors X3, trim falling off doors and floor, headlight lens blew off at like 25 mph, heater quite. This is what I remember happened to mine by 79,000 miles with scheduled maintenances haveing been performed. I will never by another GM product because of owning this vehicle unless they greatly improve product. Bought vehicle with 59,000 miles and sold at 80,000 miles and had owner 4.5 years. I paid $11,725 for vehicle and sold for $500 because of its mechanical shortcomings. Real waste of money.

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  Love my Cruze! - 2013 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Latrisha Miller - January 10 - 9:17 pm

  I absolutely love my Cruze. It handled beyond my expectations this past winter.

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  Old girls been good to me - 1993 Chevrolet Lumina
  By ken - January 10 - 7:50 pm

  Bought this car in 98 and its been one of the best things I ever did. I dont know if I just got lucky with it or what, but its been great. Early problem with alternators, 3 in 2 years. Since then, just keeps going and going. 240,000 on it now. Starting to show some wear this past year. Struts, water pump, rotors had to be replaced. Starting to have other problems show up too, leaking oil, transmission fluid and water. My fault though, I think, I have not really taken very good care of the car. Never changed trans fluid, plugs, oil about every 7500 and never changed coolant, still, it just keeps going! My gas mileage is great for a car this size too,28 mpg. Love another this good!

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  2004 Coupe Auto - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By TIM - January 10 - 7:24 pm

  This is the third Cavalier weve had in the family. It is a great car, economical, comfortable, with all the features I need. You can buy them at a great price, too. So far, like my other Cavaliers, this one has been reliable and has returned a steady 31 MPG driving about 70% highway miles. Too bad Chevy doesnt make them anymore. The Cobalt is a nice car but costs more.

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  4th vettes a charm - 2004 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Big Steff - January 10 - 6:28 pm

  This is my 4th vette (2 C4s, 2nd C5). Almost bought 06 C6 without driving then found it was too tight (me 6"3). Sold 99 FRC to get this one. FRC was base model with Z51, 04 fully loaded!! Car is solid as a rock. Maybe get a C7 if more interior space (or I shrink). Best of the 4 Ive owned !!!

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  A full step backwards from last generation - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Hunter12 - January 10 - 4:06 pm

  I was given a 17 Cruze LT to use for 5 days while my car was in for service and I was less than impressed. My mom had a 13 Cruze LS that I drove a few thousand miles when she was leasing it, it was in many ways a far better small car. The new Cruze uses a start/stop mode to save fuel, it was terrible. The engine "shudders" when it stops and starts. Very poor execution of this "feature". The transmission also always feels like its trying to find a gear for max fuel economy and when you need to accelerate the car feels "lazy". The seats were also poor, very flat versus the last gen which were not too bad. Overall it seems obvious the entire car was developed on a tight budget and it really felt and looked "cheaper" that the last Cruze. Weak effort GM.