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:

• 

  1997 Express - 1997 Chevrolet Express
  By steve - February 10 - 8:04 pm

  1997 Express 1500 Conversion w/55K miles in Mar 2002. 5L V8 equipped. Reliable for appx 30K miles, then all heck broke loose. By 105K miles: Trans replacement (NO tow pkg), rear axle seals, both u-joints, fuel pump module, gas gauge sender, starter, alternator, radiator repair, A/C repair, 2 fuel injectors. Upper intake manfifold gasket. Chronic Intake Manifold coolant leaks, Vacuum line leaks, tail-lite replacement. #8 cyl ate spark plugs (every 3K-5K miles after 80K miles) finally suffered ring or valve failure at 105K (0 compression at idle). RH side rear door hinges corroded and upper hinge broke making door unuseable. Prior to engine fail - spent over 8K on repairs in 10K miles.

• 

  No More PT Cruiser - 2006 Chevrolet HHR
  By Paul - February 10 - 8:20 am

  I bought my wife an LT HHR with the 2.4 Liter and Automatic Transmission 2 days ago, trading in her 2003 PT Cruiser Limited. I cant believe the difference in the 2 cars. Chrysler should be very worried. If more PT owners test drive this car, there will be too many PTs on the used car market to count. Dont get me wrong, we loved the PT, but the HHR is so much more refined. The first thing I noticed was the lack of road noise. We can hear the stereo and carry on a normal conversation at highway speed! Turning radius is great, it is so much easier to park. The transmission is smoother, and the engine is more powerful. This car is so fun to drive, I find myself finding reasons to drive it.

• 

  Cruze be nibble, Cruz be Quick, Cruze has no stick - 2017 Chevrolet Cruze
  By Mark Shirley - February 9 - 11:13 am

  This car was made for today. It shines in the city, country, and the highway. The "Auto Stop" (car shuts off at stops to conserve gas), was a little disconcerting at first; however, when you see your city gas mileage, you dont mind. On those long lonesome country 60 MPH roads, you can get nearly 40 mile MPG. And, even with all this fuel economy, this car is quick and nibble at freeway speeds. After coming from the city, and taking it easy on a 50 mile trip to visit in-laws in the country, I got 38 miles to the the gallon (without AC on), on my way to their home. Coming home, we were running a little late, and in freeway city traffic, my Cruze was so nibble and quick darting around the clustered traffic at freeway speeds, it was almost incredible. My car has remote & push-button start, and I can unlock the doors by touching the handles. After getting to work and waiting in my Cruze to punch-in for my shift, I switch the car off and the radio and electric windows still operate, until I exit the vehicle, which is a great feature. I read one review where the person was bemoaning the "Auto Stop", while trying to pull into traffic quickly. I found if you anticipate a quick move coming, you merely have to be proactive and step on the accelerator a couple of seconds before going to take it out of the "Auto Stop" mode. This hasnt been an issue and I live in the City. With the RS package and the addition of my fog lights to the front grill, this car is a looker. Even though the Cruze Hatchback isnt rated quite as high as some of the other Hatchbacks, I beg to differ. This car is all things to most people and a great value. Did I say it corners like butter. This car is a sleeper.

• 

  Real truck - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By cwbyfan - February 9 - 6:30 am

  I just recently bought this truck almost a month ago and I absolutly love it. Gas milage stinks but its a beast so what can you expect? I have the 6.0l engine and it sounds great with dual Flowmaster 40 series. I have noticed the turning radius is not all that great. I do like the gooseneck hitch in the back as I have towed a horse trailer with 6 horses in it. I also regularly tow a 22ft party barge. I would definitely recomend this to anyone who wants a real truck.

• 

  Do not recommend a GM V6! - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Bob - February 9 - 12:32 am

  The car has no mechanical problems (thank god), but the comfort on the car is real bad. I can feel every small bump on the road and really hard to get off most of the times. The stereo system is nothing to talk about. The car is not a good driver on rain, the brakes lock up all the time. The interior is really not very good quality. The clutch pedal is far to reach, and I am 5foot7. I do not recommend this car to anybody, an automatic would be much better.

• 

  Pragmatic Peppy Car - 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
  By WNY Driver - February 8 - 7:53 pm

  This is the 2nd 5-speed Prizm I have owned - the other I bought new in 1998 that my 64" son drives now (tight fit) & has 125K miles. Ownership experience great for both. 32- 38 mpg depending on conditions. With high gas prices have taken on longer trips recently (10+ hours). The Prizm is designed for commuting around town but the seats are bearable for longer distances by buying a memory foam car seat on eBay for ~$30. 5-speed is the way to go - great stick and it provides the flexibility to delay shift if more accel. needed. Leased 2002s are on the retail market now but most are auto. Great cars!

• 

  Truck like workhorse - 2000 Chevrolet Astro
  By drumjess2002 - February 8 - 7:40 pm

  Just bought my van, it is a cargo van used for hauling just about anything. GM just quit making these in 2005, for another SUV-like vehicle[ like there arent enought of them]..a mistake in my view. My 1st Astro was an 86, ran forever, and I needed a van that could take more cargo capacity than a front drive mini. I plan on driving the wheels off, and it should hold up I think

• 

  Best car Ive ever owned - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Larry - February 8 - 7:20 pm

  Im 78 an owned many cars in my lifetime. This is the best handling car ever. I love the tracking, all the mechanical and innovative features, especially the remote start in the winter and in the summer. It heats the car quickly in wintertime and cools it down in the hot summer days as well. The wide opening doors were helpful in the back to assist my wife (who had alzheimers) to get in the car. Just a great car!

• 

  I Love My Cavy! - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By luvmycavy - February 8 - 6:52 pm

  Really fun to drive. Not very reliable though.Cramped with many people in the car but perfect just for me. Needs more horsepower. Perfect first car. LOVE IT!

• 

  Not a bad Minivan - 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
  By DanLaw - February 8 - 11:09 am

  After driving an Uplander that my company had purchased for about 6 months, I bought one for my family. Having 2 young children the standard DVD player has already made traveling much easier (I have only had the vehicle for 9 days now). The interior design seems well thought out and the creature comforts make it even more well rounded. My wife, as the primary driver, has had 1 small problem with the rear cargo light and I am most certain that it will be fixed shortly, and the gas mileage seems very good. It came with a 20 Gallon tank, and we are at 250 miles traveled and the gauge is still reading more than half full. All-in-all, I would recommend the Uplander