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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  general motors has sold us out - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By jonboy - February 9 - 2:00 am

  would not buy another one, fit is terrible, rattles, paint has blemishes, vehicle wanders all over road, transmission clunks, and the mileage is not what the manufacture says it is. The worst design i could have purchased. Neat concept but the bed leaks and the plastic is fading. Ok mr.goodwrench whats next.

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  Engine failure, car broke down 4 times in month - 2015 Chevrolet Sonic
  By Ktornese - February 7 - 6:40 am

  I bought a 2015 Sonic LTZ, certified pre-owned with 14,000 miles, under manufacture warranty. I traded in a 2006 Jeep liberty, purchased for my 19 year daughter in college. The car ran fine action you can take.er.Then all the lights were on the dashboard so she brought it back a week later to the dealer. The engine had many problems,they replaced everything on the engine they could, was in the dealer for 2 weeks.One week later back in again with engine problems. Now back in again with over heating problems light on the dashboard. This car is under warranty so they have to fix it at no cost to us but, GM told me they can only help by fixing it wont have anything to do with trading it in or providing a swap out. I told them this car was built wrong why does a consumer have to suffer this,wanted to get rid of it. They will not help you if you have a lemon of a pre-owned. Some states do support certified pre-owned law suits,so research out further action to take. The dealer I bought it from washed their hands of the sale of this car as i shipped it from PA to Arizona. Dont bother to buy this car its a real piece of junk.

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  Never again, General Motors! - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  By Charlie - January 24 - 4:56 pm

  I was excited when I bought this car after enduring a major life event that was health related. I had always had General Motors vehicles my entire life, both my parents worked for GM in Rochester, NY. The car had just under 95K miles when I purchased it. My first impression was the car having lots of pep and quite economical for being a good sized car. In the time I owned it (2 years), I have replaced all 4 rotors and brakes, the exhaust system (I replaced that with single exhaust, replacing the faux-duals would have costed a small fortune) and the rear parking brake linkage, which came apart. The 4 way flasher button on the dashboard broke and came apart. The high-beam switch doesnt click and keep them on high properly and periodically the dash will reset itself (as if starting the engine) in the middle of driving. The right front wheel sensor acts up when conditions are wet, which automatically disables the traction control. Topping it off, a week ago, I was returning home from running errands. I was exiting the expressway when I felt and heard a nasty vibration as I was coming to a stop. The cars transmission (4T65E) went, right then and there, at 108K miles. The car will now only move in reverse. Quite ironic, because I took a major step backward when I purchased this car. Too bad I didnt have a crystal ball. Its time to cut my losses. This coming week, I will be stepping into a Honda Civic. I cant wait! My Dad might spin in his grave, but GM cars have taken a major step back (or SIX) in quality over these last years. I dont plan on ever buying another one, Im done.

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  Thank God it was just a rental - 2016 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Onlyhonda - January 22 - 10:27 pm

  I would rather drive my 17 year old honda than this p.o.s. the ride was so noisy and unsteady,too many blind spots,interior is very poorly designed. I seriously didnt feel safe driving the car due to its poor outward visibility, and shaking, I had to to exchange it a better designed sedan (sonata).this experience has forced me to never consider GM products for anything.you would think a brand new car would have more pep,but then again its a chevy.

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  Who drove this before they built it? - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
  By D. George - January 14 - 8:16 am

  Had the car for 2 months, if someone wants it Ill sell it now! Too big, too heavy, poor driving visibility & seating position the hype doesnt match the finished product. For GM its a high margin vehicle that sells behind great marketing & visual style...thats how I got hooked. I dont get it when other buyers say this car handles great, compared to what?? After owning 3 different 70s muscle cars the retro formula is disappointing. For those looking to buy one I have one for sale at a discount!

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  Lemon - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Joe - January 12 - 12:43 pm

  This vehicle has been trouble from day one. IÂ’ve been averaging 15 mpg. Vehicle is incapable of driving straight, three alignments and a new set of tires helped marginally. Been running tires around 40 psi (10 above recommended) and this seems to help slightly. Key fob has been replaced once, antenna twice, window switch, brake pads, vehicle has a no start problem, rear view mirror vibrates, temperature gauge broken, clunking in rear suspension, reflashed ECM, squealing from alternator, exhaust rattle, and a number of other problems that I canÂ’t think of at the moment. IÂ’ve had the car to multiple dealerships, and they only seem to be able to fix the simplest of problems.