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:

• 

  Disgusted - 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By Lisa Wilson - March 9 - 10:02 am

  Drove a 93 Suburban for 7 years and loved it! The Tahoe is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I believe the reviews depend on what the person drove before owning the 03 Tahoe. I only drive 20 mile to work and hate the drive everyday. It handles so squirrelly I have trouble keping it between the lines, like following a semi too close. Tires replace with Michelins trying to control this vehicle. The Michelins improved handling on rual roads but did not on the interstate. Intermediate shaft replaced at 16748 miles, crossmember replace at 35558 miles. Vibration at takeoff. Transmission slips. No ashtray in back. Cant get rid of it because its valued less than the payoff.

• 

  Super fuel efficient SUV - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Alex Povolotski - March 9 - 8:46 am

  GM had it coming even before the gov guys gave them a kick. This one appears to me as the most fuel efficient 4-cyl non-hybrid, non-diesel SUV on the market. 2010 Equinox was redesigned inside out. The front is great, the side seems like stolen from Merc M class but the back is oldish. The interior is stolen from Volvo -- the vents, dash layout, even the key fob. Very roomy on the inside, the back seat bench slides back and forth, front seats are very accommodating, very! The trunk is on the smaller side though. As to fuel economy -- the numbers are great but you sacrifice driving dynamics. A little slow to speed up from stand still but then OK. 4-cyl a little noisy.

• 

  Great work car - 2012 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Cruze Driver - March 9 - 8:46 am

  Very reliable, and good on gas. Small gas tank though, so expect to still stop once or twice a week.

• 

  Cruze Diesel Problem Child - 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Marconquistador - March 9 - 2:12 am

  I did not see an option for diesel in the Edmunds drop down, so I selected a gas option just to write a review about my 2014 Cruze Diesel. I bought the car new in 2014. Within the first few thousand miles I had warranty work done. After about a year, the car has been in the shop constantly. The warranty work usually takes a week by the time the tech dows the diagnistics, parts are ordered, etc. Some of the same parts keep getting replced. As of now, my tags are expired (registration is paid) because the car will not pass Smog in CA because the engine light is on. Emission parts keep being replaced, and the light keeps comming on. The support for Chevy diesels is aweful, atleast for the Cruze in my area. The car has less than 30k miles. I am suposed to pick it up today, but they want me to drive it for 100 miles before they try to Smog it just to see if the engine light comes on again. I had to get a TOP from DMV.

• 

  I got robbed - 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Tom - March 8 - 1:02 pm

  I purchased my Blazer at about 40000 miles. And what a let down it has been since. Ive actually considered seeing if it was a lemon but by the other reviews on here Im guessing I should have done the research and expected it. Every thing everyone has mentioned having problems with I have do the same and some more. Im a college student and constantly breaking the bank on repairs for this. I will never buy a Chevy again. I have spent close to $5000 on repair in 3 years of having it. Gas gauge, ball joints, rotors, bearings, rear axle, pittman arm, seat handle, wiring, lights on the dash, heater core. The repairs take all the fun out of this automobile unless you have deep pockets.

• 

  Reliable, economical,comfortable - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Becca - March 8 - 8:19 am

  This truck got 28 MPG on the highway. It always was comfortable and dependable on long drives. It had the X motor in it so it never lacked any power. On corners it held the road very well and hills were no problem. It was a great little truck.

• 

  2004 Aveo LS Hatchback - 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
  By kqcheek - March 8 - 2:00 am

  The main reason I bought this vehicle was the cost, and bought my Aveo without ever test driving one. I didnt really except a lot, but was pleasantly surprised when I brought it home. The ride is very smooth for such a small car, and engine is peppy (just as advertised). There is room enough to fit 4 adults comfortably (as long as all 4 adults arent over 6 tall). The interior is well designed and the exterior is stylish. Coupled with all the above - add in great gas milage and I dont think that youll be able to find a better sub-compact vehicle for the money. The LS mode comes with just about every option except ABS.

• 

  Chevy Malibu 2004 - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By MJH - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Good American built vehicle - it is about time. Hopefully it will holdup over the long term as well as it is now.

• 

  Superb car! - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By jpiemont - March 8 - 2:00 am

  The redisigned Malabus are great, as long as you get the bigger V-6 engine. The extra features are great too, like remote starter on a cold day and the way the seat fold down.

• 

  I like the Malibu. - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Aaron Ferley - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I like the style and feel of this car. It turns and drives nicely. Love the gas mileage this vehicle gets (better than the camary). It also has a very quite ride. Overall a very good car.