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:

• 

  Great truck bad mpg - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By Rich - May 14 - 8:06 pm

  Great truck, comfortable ride, plenty of power. Although, unlike my last 2005 Silverado & 2003 Sliverado with the same 5.3L engine without active fuel management that got 20-22mpg hwy, this truck is only getting 13-14mpg hwy. Active fuel management doesnt really seem to work.

• 

  35mpg v6 + reliable! - 1997 Chevrolet Malibu
  By chevyman - May 14 - 6:37 pm

  1 alternator and tires/brakes in 135,000 miles! Gets 35 mpg and the new cars with V4s cant do that! Great car. Too bad used American cars are worthless, but then again, why would I ever sell it?

• 

  Wouldnt Buy Again - 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By biga6462 - May 14 - 6:11 pm

  I would sell this thing but there are no other trucks that look good to me at the time. I love the looks of the truck and handling, but there is so many other things that make me sick about this vehicle. After looking at the internet all of my problems are shared by many others. Here are some of the issues I have had with the truck. Fuel Purge valve had to be replaced and relocated because it was placed in an area where dust affected its performance, the rear back glass leaks water after a rain, the speakers rattle in the door, the dash and door trim rattles, the door trim has come apart, the brakes overheat, pulsate, and leak DOT fluid. A complete piece of junk in my opinion

• 

  Pick-up truck nut case - 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
  By mavuelect - May 14 - 10:00 am

  The only bad thing about driving and riding around in such a beautiful dream car is that there are some real weirdos who are so jealous that they try to run you off the road. My wife and I were driving around on the weekend with the top down, really enjoying ourselves, when this "red-neck or goon or whatever" tried his best to bump us off the road.

• 

  bad ass - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By chevymick03 - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a really nice truck to drive. It has the off road capabilities as well as a dream ride. Very luxerious interior and stylish exterior. There is very little i would do to chang this truck.

• 

  More Than Satisfied - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Mike Noble - May 14 - 8:14 am

  My Avalanche has proven to be everything that I expected. All of the cargo space is very useful, we can fit our 3 kids in back easily, it gives a very smooth ride, and the gas mileage is better than I had expected (16-17 religiously). The back seat is roomy enough for 3 adults to sit in.

• 

  Great truck but..... - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By open - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Positives: Truck is extremely quite for such a big vehicle - Youll notice it right away whether driving down the highway or through pot holes. Very comfortable except for the front center with bench seats. Cons: Water leak in the rear flatbed and into the cabin (known problem). Backing out was a big issue since the rear of the flatbed stuck up (almost ran several people over). Nice to have.... automatic door locks when driving and also a door- ajar alert..

• 

  Love my new malibu - 2015 Chevrolet Malibu
  By DanaB - May 14 - 12:49 am

• 

  Bad Gas Mileage - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Lou - May 13 - 9:37 am

  Lucky if this ride gets 13-15mpg highway! I am getting rid if it. Very uncomfortable seating when you have to travel some mileage. Seats do not adjust for comfort.

• 

  Best car Ive ever owned! - 2000 Chevrolet Camaro
  By KS - May 13 - 2:09 am

  Out of the many car cars I have owned in almost 40 years (!), this is the only car I have owned that has been mechanically trouble-free. Only regular oil changes - and tires/brakes @ 55k - its been a blessing to own. I bought it brand-new and am now pushing 100,000 miles.