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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  Perhaps Grounds for Commitment Procedings - 2015 Chevrolet Camaro
  By David H. Buswell - September 3 - 2:48 pm

  A convertible sports/muscle car with a powerful V-8 engine is not for everyone and certainly not for the unschooled in the art of driving such a car. Since Im an 82 year old retired corporate exec, my announcement that Id bought a candy-apple red 2SS fully loaded "vert" sparked some thoughts among my children and wife as to my mental acuity. What they dont realize is I dont care what they or anyone else thinks. I wanted the car just as I wanted and bought years ago a Jag XK140, an Austin-Healy 3000 and a 1975 Camaro coupe. For the many years since those halcyon days I have tended toward Buicks and Cadillacs and still have a new quite sedate Cadillac XTS. The difference between the XTS and the SS is like the difference between, say, Deborah Kerr and Joan Collins. I think the analogy fits. I drive the SS because it instills in me the same joie de vivre of yore. I have thumbs up constantly from the neighborhood teens and twenty-somethings even though Im sure many think I belong in an assisted living facility. Are there any negatives with the Camaro SS vert? Of course. Its impractical for virtually any endeavor except having a great time getting from Point A to B. The back seat is really for an overnight bag or perhaps the family dog who also loves the wind in its face. My antediluvian body, slowed badly by arthritis, has a hell of a time getting in and out of the drivers seat. It has abysmal gasoline mileage. That said, I enjoy looking at its truly enticing design. I smile when I turn the light on in my garage and see it waiting to go somewhere with me. Once in that car, though, and I kick on the 400 horses, put the top down, and leave my driveway, Im back in college. To me thats worth the price of an occasional neighbors raised eyebrow when I drive by. Ive always liked Nikes edict: "Just do it!"

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  White lighting - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Josh - September 3 - 11:20 am

  I purchased new a lt1 with the technology, convience package,and sunroof. I was originally looking at the eco model but couldnt get a sunroof and was 1500 more. Its ben a while sense I have a manual transmission. So much fun and able to get better mpg than what the window sticker says. The key is to shift around 2000 rpm and drive the speed limit. Three carseats will fit in the back seat. The changes I would like would be available sunroof on the eco. A place for my cell phone in the center console and more leg room for my right leg so not resting so much on the center console. All in all verry pleased with this car. I am hoping it will last as long as my 1997 oldsmobile did.

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  Excellent small car for the $$ - 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
  By MBC - September 3 - 8:45 am

  Although it is a Turbo, it is not neck jerkingly fast off the line, however it is more than adequate for a vehicle this size. The Sonic has minimal turbo lag and is a fun car to drive, with excellent road composure for a vehicle of this size, and excellent handling . Coming from a life of VW Golfs/GTIs, we now own 2 Sonics, a 2014 & a 2015, and couldnt be happier. These cars have proven very reliable, built very good and solid, with excellent interior comfort. We have not had one issue, change the oil and go! As far as looks, that is subjective, but we get a lot of compliments,people are shocked at how nice they are, and they dont feel like a cheap vehicle. We test drove the following before purchasing our 2nd Sonic, they were all 2015 models, Toyota Corolla- ok on the outside, bland/unappealing inside, very slow and awful CVT. Mini Cooper Countryman- good looking, blast to drive, unfortunately bad reliability history and $10K more than a Sonic made us pass on that, VW Golf, great car in/out but not as good a deal as the Sonic and didnt feel "better" enough to justify a big difference in price, to get all the options on s Sonic RS, Hyundai Elantra GT-Hmmm, not a bad car but seemed bland and basic for the price, not very good MPGs with the 173hp engine.

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  My 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Rocks!!!! - 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Sheila Jackson - September 3 - 12:04 am

  As a woman, I find my 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe to be easy to handle, extremely comfortable, great looking and the best vehicle purchase I have made in 25 years. My new 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Rocks!!!!!!

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  Bought used - 2005 Chevrolet Impala
  By Obelisk - September 2 - 10:36 am

  I bought my 05 Impala 3.4 after losing my first car in an accident. I was quite surprised by how solid the car was. It had 139000 miles on it, and was mostly clean and cared for. Only had to replace a few things, as is normal for a used, ten year old car. My friends and I love the car, and its far more comfortable than what they drive (One has an 07 Camry, which felt awfully stiff to me). The stereo is great and the sound quality is clear. Although, if you leave the CD tray on too long, it glitches and skips parts of the song (about 5-10 seconds of it). Drive it to college and work on a daily basis, and it just keeps on going, no matter what happens. Very reliable, although gas mileage couldve been made better. Pros: Feels like a couch Responsive and accelerates quickly (For gearheads) Great engine sound and pretty good performance for a sedan Great stereo Transmission is quick and smooth Looks great in gray Cons: MPG is a bit sub-par Only one key, trunk needs a separate key. Probably cant get it when buying used. Can be a bit bouncy on hard bumps.

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  SS = Super Sport or Super Steal - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By R.D. Hesler - September 1 - 1:51 am

  WOW what a fun car! Turbo kicks in FAST! Bought a stage 1 kit to boost HP another 30 HP from 260 HP to 290 HP! I love the RPD (reconfigurable performance display) allows the driver manipulation of traction control, stability control, "shift points", and the engagement of Competition Mode, as well as information regarding the cars engine torque and horsepower, g-force, boost, wideband air fuel ratio, barometric pressure, temperature, and battery voltage. This little rocket ship will fly. I love beating those wanna-be fast & furious car!! Fun for a old guy like me. I see GM performance is dropping this turbo engine( refined to 275 HP) into their 2016 base Camaro.

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  A lot of room for everybody!!! - 2015 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Manuel - August 30 - 10:22 pm

  After shopping around for a little while I was impress with the 2015 Traverse LT I ended up leasing. Very nice vehicle, feel great, equipment is awesome, phone connections, nice radio, hands free including heated cloth seats. Large and nice Interior , even in the third row, my three kids are an easy fit and my two teens fit nicely on the second row captains chairs. Very good family car.

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  Boogy Car - 2015 Chevrolet Spark
  By Brenda Lawrence - August 27 - 11:53 am

  Compare the other cars to this one inside and you will find that this little car has BIG room inside. I am tall and this car fit me with room to grow. No more crouching my shoulders and head to drive.. On the express way it Boogys , fast, with tight control . This car is Super fun to drive. I recommend this car to all the people who want to be free from the MOM VAN ERA...BORING.!!!! lIVE A LITTLE, OR LIVE A LOT..THE CHOICE IS YOURS.

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  "Timex" keeps on ticking - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By C. R. Hiebert - August 26 - 8:05 pm

  Great family vehicle. Bought used with less than 100,000 miles when the kids were home, kids are all grown and the odometer is at 290,000. Have hauled children and their gear all over, survived County Fairs and innumerable 4-H animal projects. Pulled the Horse trailer up to the State Fair through City traffic, loaded with camping gear for the week, she made it just fine. A car ran into her side, spun her around, totaled the car, bent the Suburbans rear-axel, passengers shook-up but a-OK, she drove home & got repaired. Three deer have bounced off the grill guard in the front and the only damage is a dent in the corner of the hood. She has driven me back and forth through roads and weather that has been just plain nasty, definitely dependable and reliable. Chevy dealer in town is fantastic about keeping her serviced and running. Well worth the money.

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  Best vehicle ever owned - still love it! - 2001 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Linda - August 26 - 10:34 am

  We purchased this 2001 Blazer with the special Trailblazer trim package in 2004 (as the 2nd owner) with 40,000 miles on it and have had it ever since. For our other vehicle, weve gone through many other vehicles but cant part with this one because of how dependable and reliable it has been. With only routine maintenance expenses, it has 212,000 miles and is still going strong. I hear so many horror stories about the newer vehicles and am thankful Ive stayed with my trustworthy Blazer. The leather still looks great for its age and Ive never had a crack in the dash or anywhere else for that matter. Cant say enough good things about what a workhorse it has been over the years.