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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  Excellent 96 S-10 service - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Kirk M - July 12 - 4:43 pm

  Purchased in 02 with 107,000 miles, now has 165,000 miles with no trouble other than alternator, tires, brake pads (normal wearing items) Of course, I do all the normal maintenance that is supposed to be done (ex-auto mechanic with 15+ years experience)

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  Love the Suburban - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By P Hughes - July 12 - 11:20 am

  The design and layout is excellent. Interior is very comfortable and exterior is sharp. It handles and accelerates very well for such a large vehicle and I actually believe we will get the EPA rated 15mpg city once the engine breaks-in thanks to the Fuel Management System. The Suburban is well worth the price paid. My only complaint is that when the DVD ordered, you get a gray roof even though we have tan interior. The DVD the headliner, the switch panels - everything above is gray and the rest of the interior is tan. The mismatch is just a bit odd.

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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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  Underrated truck - 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
  By Dave - July 11 - 7:23 pm

  After much research I decided to get a loaded Colorado crew cab. I have owned Pathfinders and Jeeps and this truck is just as tough. Its getting 20 mpg right out of the box, and the I-5 is smooth and powerful. I know, I just towed my 5600 lbs. Sea Ray 40 miles to the Lake.

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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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  Love my Corsica - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By nancy110339 - July 10 - 4:12 pm

  I love my Corsica. I previously owned a 1990 Corsica and searched high and low for a 1996 knowing it was the last year Chevy made them. I wanted another because the first was so reliable and went almost 200K miles before I sold it. The body was giving out, not the engine. And the buyer drove it another 2 years before he sold it. I have not been disappointed with the 1996 either. Very few repairs. Just normal routine maintenance. Still an issue with rotors and with head gaskets as the 1990, but if the job is done right, it will go for thousands of miles after. Almost no mechanical issues. The body holds up well. Only the gas cover and the area around the keyhole for the truck are rust issues.

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  Worst car I’ve ever driven. - 2017 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Youngah - July 10 - 3:54 pm

  Recalls on recalls on recalls, dealerships not doing anything and breaking more things every visit, blaming problems on the gas station (who did quality testing and found no issues), just an over unsafe car and no one to help fix it because it is literally garbage. Do not buy. You will hate your life every day until you can get out of your lease, which they will be sure to give you hell for.

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  Zero confidence - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
  By Hayhoe Family Holt - July 10 - 1:47 pm

  I purchase the brand new vehicle in Sept. 99. By Dec. 99 it had been towed away a total of 3 times transmission short, faulty transmission ball bearing, faulty EFI. At 44,000 miles faulty manifold gasket. Poor fit and trim with small items breaking off, and the vehicle loves to rattle. I am still afraid to drive this, but have limited options.

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  Love This Truck - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ripthelip - July 10 - 11:33 am

  I bought this truck a month ago, almost to the day. I am so glad I bought it. I got exactly what I was looking for, comfort and power. I did have a 1999 Tahoe with the 5.7 and this truck with the 5.3 has more power and better acceleration. I tow a 6300 pound boat up and down hills and mountains and it does great! I wouldnt own another truck, if I did you would have to give it to me and pay me to drive it.

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  Great Truck - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Kurt G - July 10 - 10:00 am

  All around best ride in a pickup on and off road. Interior comfort is great. Ample engine power I have never had any problem on hills even while towing. The Chevy Avalanche has been the most reliable truck Ive owned.