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:

• 

  tires & brakes at 24K - 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ?????? - September 29 - 8:55 pm

  I love my ss.. It reminds me when I was 16 drivin my 56 belair. Just a bit faster & a lot more comfort, easier to steer and obviously more features. At 24k I had to replace the front brakes $450 wow! That was for brakes & turning rotors. It also needs 4 new tires $600+. At 54 years old, I can say I have always driven a Chevy. Even though I love this ss, Im getting rid of it. Its time 4 a change. I dont mind the 9 mpg around town on 93 octane ($2.85 gal. Now) but the upkeep is too expensive and Im used to replacing brakes & tires at 50k or 60k, not 24k. I hate 2 say it, but Im buying a Toyota. Better quailty, better engineering. Sorry gm, you cant make they quality anymore.

• 

  Hope I dont regret purchase... - 2018 Chevrolet Traverse
  By LH - September 29 - 3:18 pm

  Purchased LT Traverse August 2017. Had Traverse back to dealer after owning literally a week and a half as the brake assist turned on when driving in town at 35 MPH and coming to a stop slowly. Additionally, received transmission error following day. Apparently connector issue, and was fixed. One week later brake assist came on again. Dealership indicated software update should resolve issue. Now Engine has been much louder when sitting idle, as it seems that the Stop/Start function is not working properly since software update. Other than these major issues, vehicle has more space than older model; better storage space in rear. This vehicle has more features that are electric powered, and hoping there are no major issues. I recommend the extended warranty, even if buying brand new. Im regretting not purchasing now.

• 

  2000 chevy silverado - 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  By catshooter - September 27 - 10:00 am

  I enjjoy the feeling behind the wheel. the power in the engine makes me feel like im in control. It corners fairly well and im pleased with the gas mileage. it is very reliable.

• 

  Pratical Chevy Avalanche - 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By Joe Paszki - September 27 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle,I purchased 1 model year to early,Chevrolet did away with the "plastic" sides and added an optional Bose Radio system!Great additions!!!2003 models LOOK GREAT!!!!!

• 

  Pre Purhcase Review - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By macattak1 - September 27 - 10:00 am

  Yet to purchase, however, I have noticed much on the numerous Imaplas I have looked at both new and used. Bad 1- Not painted anywhere you normally cant see. Gas cover, trunk and hood. Silly and CHEAP. View the Primer with every tank?! 2- Interior colors. Cream dash color too "pimp daddy" looking. 3- Honda Accord LX and EX at $21k and $24k v/s base and LS at $24 and $28k? OK. 1- Is the 3.4 as good as the 3.8 2- Offers 6 seating but only on 3.4. Good- 1- Great MPG on both. 2- Safty rating. 3- Fits 3 car seats in back. 4- Power 5- Limited # of options compared to Toyotas $19k base trying to wear $11k more in options!

• 

  Fun, sporty ZQ8 - 2004 Chevrolet Colorado
  By fatherof1 - September 26 - 9:34 pm

  I wasnt a big fan of crew cab Colorados (small bed), but having a baby forced me into one. However, I feel this is the best truck for me and have been won over! My Colorado has room for my family and just about anything else we need to haul. Right after purchasing we had some problems with the traction control. After 6 trips back to the dealer they finally found a wire that had the insulation rubbed thru which was causing the system to ground. This was very frustrating and worrisome at first but the truck has been fine since. The 220 hp 5 cyl and ZQ8 package gives this truck a very sporty feel and is fun to drive.

• 

  Love the ride - 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Thomas bacot - September 26 - 12:11 pm

  Looked at several different makes, toyota lost out quick due to price and quality, Honda was impressive as was the price. Drove the Cobalt several times, loved the car over all, drive train sold me. After 6000 miles of driving I still love to get in and go. Gas mileage is amazing, trunk opening is small.Interior is OK, what can you expect for the price,Fur. It is durable and should last. Im Happy and its made in the good old USA

• 

  Traverse LTZ! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Bigboy - September 25 - 10:49 am

  Bought the Traverse after a lot of research considering primarily import SUVs. Poor experience with Nissan Pathfinder and support lead me back to a NA product. Dealer was very attentive and worked with me to get the right vehicle at the right price.

• 

  K5 Forever - 1990 Chevrolet Blazer
  By 90K5 - September 24 - 10:54 pm

  I have had my full size for over 8 years. I do not treat it well at all when I drive. I do give it serious maintenance though like oil and drive lube. Living in the north east has rotted the body beyond repair but I choose to keep driving it :). Hard to explain, but the way a short wheel base truck drives is like a car. But with a truck attitude. :) I never want to stop driving this truck. I plan on giving it to my daughter even in another 10 years :). Plz GMC build this one new again. I have near 250000 miles on mine now and the engine wont quit. Way too much to type, but trust me if you drive one you will like it.

• 

  GM stole my money. - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By mlemonchevy - September 24 - 9:17 pm

  My cobalt looks so nice. To bad, I usually cant drive it. A series of clutch problems has left me so disappointed with GM that after 15yrs of only owning GM cars, I vowed to never touch their products again. The warranty process was terrible. I paid for almost everything because they kept finding loop holes in the coverage. Their 800 number is even worse. Ive talked to many Cobalt owners, and weve all repeatedly paid for new clutches over and over again in cars with less then 50,000 miles on them. Each clutch lasts just under 1year with normal driving, no racing. I really feel frustrated, and so Im buying a subaru as soon as my loan on the cobalt is clear.