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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  Bad engine - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By Jim - May 16 - 12:13 pm

  A great all purpose vehicle when it runs right. Unchanged in 20 yrs. like the old VW beatle. Mine "burns" more coolant than oil! Head gasket leaking. Need a new engine after just 74K. Lukas oil treatment no help. Engine hard to service spark plugs not accessible. Hard to find mechanics who know and understand this vehicle. The front end rebuilt for $1800. Tape deck stolen in Manhattan inspite of security/alarm system. This cargo van was converted to passenger minus the seats--large clear glass (!) windows were cut into the sides. 5- leaf rear springs were added for heavy duty which I recommend! I was thrilled with 18.6 MPG highway recently. But Im trading it in for a used 2005.

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  06 Vette Convertible - 2006 Chevrolet Corvette
  By Bart - May 16 - 11:47 am

  This is a superb automobile. Very impressed with build quality and ride. Personally, I think the interior is excellent. Car is so fast it is almost scary! Handling is excellent. This is one sweet roadster!

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  52 MPG HA!! (try closer to 60 on the highway) - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Rexford L - May 15 - 10:18 pm

  Well, the EPA says its rated at 52 mpg highway and 30 city. I dont do that much city driving, but in the month that Ive had it, Ive put over 5000 miles on it (Sacramento CA to Williston ND and back, with another trip back to Williston. (Ill be doing that once a month) If you keep the speed under 70, on flat ground it easily averages 65 mpg, and at 85 mph its averaging about 50. The only thing holding you back from hour after hour of driving is having to use the restroom, the car is more than willing to keep on going. Its been 100% reliable in the time that Ive had it and a while it doesnt have a built in navigation system, the Android Auto is as good or better than any OEM navigation system Ive used (it uses Google Maps, displayed on the 7" center screen)

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  True blue - 1992 Chevrolet S-10
  By Bryan - May 15 - 8:32 pm

  This truck drives and handles well. I drive it hard like a Jeep and it always is ready for the next challenge.

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  Love my HHR - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Gina Pasfield - May 15 - 8:13 pm

  I just bought the HHR and it has a lot of nice standard options. It is a head turner. It gets very good gas mileage and drives like a charm. Fenders and doors line up very well which are important qualities to me. Paint job is excellent. Cant find anything wrong with it thus far.

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  Swithched back to 2007 Suburban - 2007 Chevrolet Suburban
  By Brandon S. - May 15 - 3:25 pm

  This vehicle drives and handles better than any other vehicle I have owned. The new smart motor is going to be a real fuel saving plus with the cost of gas on the rise. The interior of the vehicle is comperable to any vehicle on the market. The new rack & pinion steering makes this thing handle like a sports car. All in all I would say my family will be in love with this Suburban for a long time.

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  2006 Chevrolet Aveo SVM Manual Hatchback - 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
  By 79type2 - May 15 - 2:49 pm

  I was going to wait a month after purchase to rate this car, but I feel I have driven it enough to comment. This vehicle has so far met and surpassed all my expectations. The sheet metal folds around the doors, hood, and hatch are all sealed (Something $34,000+ Dodge Chargers dont even have). The hatch shuts with VW like quality (No slamming necessary). This car is fun to drive and doesnt take long to get up to speed (Once you get going you barely have to give it gas). Im really surprised by some of the negative comments I have seen regarding this car. Its a much better deal than the Yaris Liftback or Scion Xa, neither of which looks half as good inside or out.

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  Perfect homeowner truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Ozzy - May 15 - 12:00 pm

  Bought it new Jan 2004. At 60,0000 miles I bought the first set of tires and brakes. ]I get 15 mpg city, 18 mpg highway with 4.8 liter. ] The 4WD is great in the northeast. Truck cruises at 70mph feels like a sedan, yes, there is road noise, its a truck. Nothing replaced so far, did not have to bring it to the dealer once! If you need or want a truck, take a serious look at a GM.

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  Looks arent everything - 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Robert - May 15 - 10:44 am

  I loved the look of the Cobalt and the practicallity of it. I bought it for my wife. At first she loved it. Good gas mileage, ran great. However all good things must come to an end. Shortly after purchase it started to fall apart. At first it was minor things and now pretty major. At least thats what I assumed when the dealers mechanics wanted to give me a rental but couldnt without GMs permission. This problem is still not solved and if and when I ever buy brand new again, it certainly will not be for looks or fuel economy. It will be by company and manufactures ratings, even if that means paying more for a good reliable car.

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  Best car for the money - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By jake c - May 15 - 8:41 am

  I purchased my Cavalier about 14 months ago and already have 55,000 miles on it. It has been a great car so far. Most powerful 4 cyl I have ever driven, with better fuel economy than any I have driven. The seats are quite comfy, great stereo system. Doesn’t handle great on curvy roads, but it’s not a sports car. But so far it has been maintenance free. Highly recommended for the price